Ocean Conservancy Recommends Ten Tips for Safe Sea Turtle Viewing this Vacation Season

05-21-2008

 

Travelers planning a beach vacation where sea turtles live can help keep animals safe

 

Washington, DC – Memorial Day weekend is almost here; a time when travelers are thinking about summer vacation plans. For travelers who will take summer vacations that bring them close to sea turtles, Ocean Conservancy recommends the following ten tips to keep the animals safe while enjoying a vacation that will make a difference for the environment in beautiful ocean settings.

1. Visit a SEE Turtles partner destination; visit http://www.seeturtles.org/ and tell your friends and family to do the same.

2. Clear beaches and water of litter, even if it’s not yours; turtles often confuse trash for food.

3. Nesting turtles like their beaches dark and quiet; avoid flash pictures, strong flashlights, fires, loud noises, vehicles and even light-colored clothing.

4. Hire local guides; they will best know where and how to spot turtles and prevent stress to them once found.

5. Do not feed turtles (or other wildlife). It can make them sick and more vulnerable to harm from people.

6. When boating, slow down when turtles are present and avoid anchoring in sensitive coral reefs and seagrass beds.

7. Choose to eat local seafood caught with turtle-friendly fishing gear preferably troll or hook and line.  When you order fish at a local restaurant, ask your server how it was caught.

8. Maintain a respectful distance from turtles in the water and on land.

9. Donate to or volunteer with local and regional conservation organizations that conserve sea turtles and improve community living standards.

10. Reduce your carbon footprint year-round. Climate change affects turtles by altering their habitat and affecting their food sources.

“Almost every type of sea turtle is endangered or threatened, and they need our help for survival,” said Vicki Cornish, vice president of marine wildlife conservation at Ocean Conservancy.  “We can conserve sea turtles by traveling to places important to sea turtle survival where we learn about sea turtles and bolster the work local conservationists are doing.  SEE Turtles puts travelers on the path to a vacation that is fun and positive for our environment.”

 

Ocean Conservancy’s SEE Turtles links people with sea turtle nesting and feeding sites in ways that directly support efforts to protect sea turtles.  Travelers help communities protecting sea turtles by increasing the income needed for local conservation efforts, providing economic alternatives to end threats to sea turtles and inspiring more active roles in protecting sea turtles.  Ocean Conservancy suggests that tourists should make an impact – a positive one – through conservation tourism this summer.  To find sea turtle eco-travel ideas and contacts, visit www.seeturtles.org.

 

 

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