What's happening to our turtles?　

The problems turtles face

Sea turtles on the decline
It isn't just Japanese Loggerheads that are declining. Decreases in sea turtle numbers are being reported throughout the world. For example, there used to be a Leatherback Turtle breeding ground at Terengganu in the Malay Peninsula. In the 1970s, as many as 2,000 turtle nests were recorded there... and in 1999, only two. Not only that, but Green Turtles in the Ogasawara Islands, Hawksbills in Indonesia, and Olive Ridley Turtles in Mexico and India are all disappearing. Sea turtles are on the verge of extinction throughout the world.
Although images of turtles draw attention to our activities, it isn't only turtles we are trying to protect. In the course of our activities with turtles, we have encountered numerous other problems.
Beaches, shore defenses... and turtles
As you may have noticed, beaches throughout Japan are equipped with sea walls and breakwaters. These shore defenses are essential to protect local residents from stormy seas and high tides. However, when shore defenses are created, other things are lost. To elderly people who used to enjoy going down to the shore and gathering shellfish and seaweed to eat, shore defenses are a major obstacle. Moreover, the vegetation that used to keep the sand from blowing away is lost when shore defenses are built. Sand is also washed away from the beach, leaving it narrow and depleted. And because the places where vegetation grows become isolated from the beach, the nocturnal insects that used to appear on the beach are lost. Insects that emerge from the vegetation at night break down the garbage washed up on the beach. When shore defenses are built, the organisms that break down garbage disappear. The Sea Turtle Association is currently conducting scientific evaluations of the problems caused by shore defenses, and compiling the resulting information. We hope to work with the Government and construction companies to solve these problems. We believe that this will enable us to protect the beaches where sea turtles come ashore to nest.
The fishing industry and turtles
Among the reasons for turtles' decline, the most serious is considered to be the "by-catch" of turtles in commercial fisheries. As turtles breathe through lungs, when trapped in nets, they drown. Turtles also frequently die through swallowing the hooks of longlines. We know that fishermen, who have no intention of catching turtles, are also distressed by these events. In the near future, we hope to collaborate in the development of fishing methods and fishing gear that do not trap turtles.
Environmental education and protection... and turtles
Recently, scenes of children releasing turtle hatchlings into the sea have become widespread. We understand the intention of showing children the wonders of nature and encouraging them to care for the environment. However, it is clear that preventing newly hatched turtles from returning to the ocean at night - while they have maximum vitality - and releasing them during the day, when they face numerous dangers at sea, reduces their survival rate. The Sea Turtle Association is investigating turtle ecology and activity, and we are considering how to achieve true turtle protection and environmental education.
Poverty, protection... and turtles
When we visited islands in Indonesia, investigating how turtles could be protected, the word "protection" rang hollow. The problem is poverty. As long as such poverty exists, arguments for turtle protection are meaningless. Turtles caught for food can be seen everywhere, and 99% of eggs are taken and sold on the streets. After much consideration, we made the decision to pay the people who'd been taking turtle eggs the market value of the eggs, and to leave the eggs to hatch. We understand the criticisms of this method. Nevertheless, taking account of both human poverty and turtle protection, as well as the actual situation in Indonesia, we decided to put this method into practice. Environmental protection in the midst of poverty is a difficult issue.
The attitude we share
The Sea Turtle Association began turtle survey and protection activities throughout Japan almost unaided. In the course of these activities, we have encountered many problems in addition to those described here. Some people protect the turtles in their local area, while others are involved in turtle research. Some people sadly observe the encroaching construction of shore defenses as they carry out turtle surveys. Others are appalled by the thoughtless actions of tourists. Still others face the problem of weasels eating turtle hatchlings. All these people experience different situations and have different approaches. However, all of us who come into everyday contact with turtles believe it is important to record what is happening to our turtles, organize this information, and help the public know more about the conditions turtles face. This is the attitude we share.