World Wildlife Fund's Gift Catalog - 2008-2009 - (Page 40) Sea turtles: beautiful, crucial to ecosystems … and endangered. Marine turtles are important to the ecosystem. They help control prey species and have a critical role in the food chain. They also help transport nutrients throughout the oceans. If marine turtle populations continue to decline, the consequences could further devastate the delicate balance of marine biodiversity. Turtles are disappearing Today, six of the seven species of marine turtles are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered: • Green turtles • Hawksbill turtles • Kemp’s Ridley turtles • Flatback turtles • Leatherback turtles • Loggerhead turtles • Olive-Ridley turtles There are a number of reasons for this decline. Relatively few turtle eggs hatch and survive to adulthood. Sometimes, this is part of the natural process; other times, it is exacerbated by human interference, including the disruption and degradation of crucial nesting sites. In addition, many turtles take years to reach maturity. During this time they may fall victim to nets and long-lines of commercial fishing fleets, as well as from pollution and disease. Climate change may also play a greater role in the turtle’s survival. Rising water temperatures are altering the balance of life for marine animals around the globe, including turtles. WWF’s Global Marine Turtle Program is working to protect marine turtles in several ways including: • • • • • Stopping the loss and degradation of critical marine turtle habitats Encouraging the use of sustainable fishing methods that don’t harm turtles Halting the unsustainable use and illegal trade in marine turtles and turtle products Strengthening protected areas around nesting beaches Promoting regional and international agreements to protect turtles and conserve their habitats Where we’re working Our work to protect turtles and their habitats is centered on six critical marine regions: • Coastal East Africa • Arctic • Galápagos • Coral Triangle • Mesoamerican Reef • Gulf of California WWF supports ecotourism to help protect turtles and other marine species In recent years, marine turtles have become increasingly popular as an ecotourism attraction. This has led to a rise in tourism operations that in turn provide jobs and income to seaside communities throughout the tropical and subtropical part of the world. WWF is supporting these examples of sustainable ecotourism that benefit wildlife as well as local communities. Adopt a Sea Turtle Sea turtles have become endangered as nesting beaches are converted to holiday resorts, and turtles and their eggs are over-harvested for food. WWF is promoting marine beach sustainable tourism, which has been shown to generate almost three times as much money as the sale of turtle products, without harming the species. SINGLE SEA TURTLE $100 $50 $25 CTTU SEA TURTLE FAMILY $250 (Includes FREE plush family, see center gatefold) ® FREE PLUSH FAMILY with $250 donation. 40 Visit www.worldwildlife.org/gifts or call toll-free 1-800-CALL WWF http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/species_SKU.cfm?cqs=CTTU&sc=AWY0900WCN11 http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm?sc=AWY0900WCN11
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