Taking a Bite Out of Hawksbill Populations

Taking a Bite Out of Hawksbill Populations

         By: Teghan Shore                                                                  

http://www.bioexpedition.com/hawksbill-sea-turtle/

The Hawksbill Turtle is a small, unique animal that has a special adaptation in its mouth. Their mouth has a bird beak like look that allows them to eat jellyfish, anemones, and especially sponges on reefs. When they eat the sponges they create a healthier environment for the coral reef and also a habitat for fish that live there. Hawksbills are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, especially in the reefs of the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. 

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Unfortunately in 1998 this amazing species went on the endangered species list and currently it is listed as critically endangered. This is because of people illegally harvesting the turtles. Mainly the native islanders will find eggs or adult turtles and sell their products to tourists or they use the byproducts for claimed medicinal properties. In addition to this, the turles have lost a majority of their nesting sites to urban expansion. With human populations and illegal trade of hawksbill products increasing at an alarming rate, it has decimated their populations substantially. 

http://www.bioexpedition.com/
hawksbill-sea-turtle/

Because they are such an important species to the reef ecosystem, many programs have been dedicated to recovering the hawksbill turtles. The Endangered Species Act has proposed the best way to restore hawksbill populations. They have established protected areas, both terrestrial and marine, in order for the turtles to live and nest unharmed. Unfortunately, there is a lack of enforcement with this rule and harvesting continues to be a major problem. So, the most important way that we can save the hawksbill turtles is through education. Tourists buy turtle shell products and people want the turtle's bodies for medicinal purposes. This is what is driving the decimation of this species. If we inform tourists that these products are made from an endangered species then hopefully they will be less likely to buy them. In addition to that, informing people that any hawksbill byproduct has no medicinal value to it can reduce the demand. Educating the people who are making a living off of illegally harvesting these animals and selling their byproducts can prevent any future poachers. If we tell the locals about how important it is that this species remain alive and give them other ways to make a living, then that will ultimately save the turtles. Many private organizations have taken it into their hands to educate people and create headstart and hatching programs in order to increase the hawksbill populations. 

Sadly, because the hawksbill population got so low over the past 100 years, any recovery program that has been implemented, has not been successful. This is mainly due to the continued demand and lack of enforcement. The one exception to this is the Hawaiian hawksbill population. Management, enforcement, and protection in this area has improved so dramatically in this area and we are starting to see the effects of that. There has been an increase in adults nesting on beaches as well as an increase in the adult population. If this continues, it may be what keeps the species alive. 

What can you do to help? There are many ways that you can get involved and help save the hawksbill turtles. So many volunteer opportunities in the releasing and hatchery programs allow you to get involved and get hands on experiences. If you are unable to give that kind of time commitment, you can also donate to many of those organizations as well. A few of the organizations that are making a difference with the hawksbill population are The World Wildlife Foundation, The Hawaii Wildlife Fund, and The National Parks Service.