Miami Beach’s Sea Turtles Threatened by Its People
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more from Green:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/science/earth/10turtles.html?_r=1
The sea turtles’ way of life here is under increasing threat because they must share their breeding ground with throngs of beachgoers.Conservationists do their best to protect turtle nests by roping them off and posting signs warning that it is a felony to disturb the eggs of these creatures threatened with extinction, but it is sometimes not enough. Egg poachers and vandals have destroyed a number of nests in recent years along Miami Beach, the authorities say.
In addition, dozens of mature turtles are killed every breeding season, even before reaching the shore, by boat propellers or those hoping to make a profit from the illegal sale of turtle meat.
“These sea turtles are under constant threat,” said Bill Ahern, a conservation specialist for Miami-Dade County Parks since 1987.
Sea turtle advocates have been pressing the local authorities for help. Last year, Miami Beach passed a law limiting the amount of light that can shine on the beaches at night. Hatchlings navigate their way to the ocean by the moon and stars and can become confused by too much artificial light.
Neighboring seaside communities that also play host to sea turtles are considering similar laws.
Sea turtles found alive after a boating accident or human attack are taken to the Miami Seaquarium, where they are treated by Dr. Maya Rodriguez, a sea turtle specialist who currently has about 25 injured sea turtles in her care.
Their maladies range from a clipped flipper to a cracked shell or worse. “We’ve had some come in here with their insides completely exposed and saved them,” Dr. Rodriguez said.
But for the sea turtles’ advocates, protection starting at birth is the key to their future survival.
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- tags:
- Miami, Sea Turtles
