Sad news coming from Mexico these past couple days as 300 endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles have been found dead in the southern waters of Mexico. The masses of turtles were found entangled in a massive fishing net. The turtles were already decomposing leading investigators to believe the turtles had been dead for a matter of days before washing up.
From May 1st through October 31st, the beach becomes home for Sea Turtles and their nests. The female sea turtle will emerge from the ocean at night to lay their eggs on the beach in the dry sand. The mother will then return to the sea and two months later around 100 sea turtles, hatchlings will dig themselves from their nest and make their way to their new ocean home.
Do not disturb a sea turtle that is crawling to the ocean or to lay her eggs.
Avoid shining lights on the beach, it can frighten the mother and interfere with the hatchlings' ability to crawl to the sea.
Avoid walking or cycling in nesting areas.
Do not disturb markers or protective screening over nests.
Avoid walking on beach dunes.
Don't litter.
If you dig any holes in the sand, cover them up before you leave.
Sea Turtles are protected under the law if you interfere with a Sea Turtle you can be fined and even arrested.
Ringing in the New Year with two blog posts, the first was a recap of 2016 and now we're moving on to 2017 personal goals to help protect and conserve our oceans. Before moving on to that, let us talk about the above painting. In July I went to a paint night ready to paint a lighthouse at sunset and came out of it with a breaching Orca and educational experience for everyone at the paint night. As we revealed our paintings at the end of the night everyone (including the instructor) was memorized by my Orca. It sparked conversations about Killer Whales, Free Willy, and Shamu. I used this opportunity to educate about captivity and the impacts it has on these beautiful creatures. I will never know what came out of my lecture but I do know it left a mark since I went back in September and the instructor remembered me as the "Orca girl." This is how I want to inspire and educate all throughout 2017. Now onto the goals!
1. Clean up at least 10 beaches.
- There is an app called "Clean Swell" that I use to help keep track of what I'm picking up. The app is free and available on iPhone and Android. This app was created by Ocean Conservancy and you can track what you've picked up, total distance cleaned, a record of your cleanup efforts and you can share your efforts with friends on social media. Find out more here.
2. Reduce the use of plastic by 30%
- I already have started to avoid plastic water bottles and have started getting my co-workers to at least recycle their plastic and cans. I want to take it a step further and;
Begin using reusable cups and bags instead of plastic one-use cups and plastic bags.
Stop using plastic straws in restaurants.
Start using a razor with replaceable blades instead of disposables
Start bringing a reusable container for leftovers at restaurants
Avoid frozen convenience food
Give up chewing gum
Start using bar soap instead of liquid hand soap
Find a plastic-free hairbrush
3.Adopt at least 3 marine animals.
- There are great websites like the WDC and WWF that provide ways to adopt animals. On WWF they donate 85% to conservation programs and the WDC donates proceeds to releasing captive Cetaceans and conserve ocean habitats.
4. Promote websites that help make a difference at least once a month.
- In 2016 I discovered two amazing websites that donate some of their proceeds to different causes. The first one is Devoted To The Ocean, they raise awareness about pollution and the growing effects it has on marine habitats. Devocean donates 20% of its net profits to the FAU Marine Research Lab at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. The second website is Beautiful Baleine, they raise awareness for captivity and commercial whaling. 10% of their net profits are directly donated to whales.org to fund efforts in research.
5. Sign and promote at least 6 petitions relating to marine life on Change.org
- Change.org is a platform for change, by taking action and signing petitions on their website you could help in success and victories of things you are passionate about. Last year I signed 4 petitions from pledging to re-use plastic, to Seaworld issues. This year I am aiming for 6 or more signed petitions, as well as promoting each petition on my social media.
Happy 2017, we are whalecoming it with open arms are getting ready for bigger and better achievements and accomplishments to come in this new year. Here's your 2016 overwhalming recap, the achievements, and downfalls.
- January
NOAA expands Critical Habitat for Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales
The DOC has started a 3-year research project on the Taranaki coast, studying Blue Whales
