What can
you do?
Solutions beyond plastic straws
SEAFOOD IS NOT ALWAYS SAFE
Become a conscious and responsible seafood consumer by asking where and how your seafood was caught. Choose seafood caught in ways that do not harm or kill turtles. Consult sustainable seafood information networks to learn about how and where your seafood is caught.
It is estimated that thousands of sea turtles are injured or killed each year as a result of commercial fishing activity in U.S. and international waters. Many of these injuries and deaths take place while turtles are migrating through fishing areas. The turtles, attracted to the bait, get caught on the hooks used to catch fish.
PLASTICS AND TRASH
• Reduce marine debris that may entangle or be accidentally eaten by sea turtles.
• Participate in coastal clean-ups and reduce plastic use to keep our beaches and ocean clean. Trash in the ocean can harm sea turtles and other creatures that live there.
• Carry reusable water bottles and shopping bags. Refrain from releasing balloons, they’ll likely end up in the ocean where sea turtles can mistake them for prey and consume them.
BE AWARE OF NESTS
• Keep nesting beaches dark and safe for sea turtles. Turn off, shield, or redirect lights visible from the beach. Lights disorient hatchling sea turtles and discourage nesting females from coming onto the beach to lay their eggs.
• Do not disturb nesting turtles, nests, or hatchlings. Attend organized sea turtle watches that know how to safely observe nesting sea turtles.
• Remove recreational beach equipment like chairs, umbrellas, boats at night so sea turtles are not turned away.
• Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before you leave the beach. They can become obstacles for nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings.
CONTACT NOAA
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SEA TURTLE STRANDING NETWORK IF YOU SEE AN INJURED/STRANDED SEA TURTLE
Become Involved!
Contact your local environmental center for more efforts towards sustainable practices! Even if you don’t live within the area of the coast, there are still things you can do to help.