World Sea Turtle Day
World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated every year on June 16 to honor and raise awareness about these ancient marine creatures, their importance to ocean ecosystems, and the threats they face.
π Why June 16?
It’s the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, a legendary sea turtle conservationist known as the "father of sea turtle biology." His work was crucial in studying and protecting sea turtles globally.
π’ Why Sea Turtles Matter:
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Ocean Health Guardians: They help maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs.
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Beach Ecosystem Boosters: Their eggs provide nutrients for dune vegetation.
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Cultural Icons: Revered in coastal traditions and indigenous cultures worldwide.
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Living Fossils: They've existed for over 110 million years, since the time of dinosaurs!
⚠️ Threats They Face:
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Plastic pollution (often mistaken as jellyfish)
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Poaching and illegal shell trade
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Fishing nets (bycatch)
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Climate change (affects sex ratios and nesting grounds)
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Coastal development
✅ How You Can Help:
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Say no to single-use plastic.
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Support turtle-safe fishing practices.
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Join or donate to sea turtle conservation groups.
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Spread awareness on social media.
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Keep beaches clean and dark during nesting season.
π§ Quick Fact:
There are 7 species of sea turtles, and 6 of them are listed as threatened or endangered.
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