The “VSCO Girls” no longer have to worry about the endangerment of sea turtles! Do you remember the 2019 meme that was defined by a commitment to environmentalism by using metal straws and Hydro Flasks to “save the turtles”?
It became a trend, but behind that trend was a real and serious issue.
Sea turtles were, and still are, endangered. However, as time has passed and trends have faded, many people have stopped talking about them. That raised an important question: Are sea turtles no longer endangered, or have we simply stopped paying attention?
The truth is, sea turtles are still at risk. Even though people have become more aware of environmental issues, sea turtles continue to struggle to survive. In fact, not all sea turtles are affected the same way; some species are in even greater danger than others. There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, and most of them are classified as endangered or vulnerable.
For example, the Hawksbill sea turtle is critically endangered. This species has been heavily affected by hunters because of their beautiful shells, which have been used to make jewelry and decorations. Although conservation effects have helped slightly, they still face threats from oil spills. Leatherback sea turtles, the largest of all sea turtles, are also in danger.
Even though laws of conservation programs exist to protect them, the threats have not disappeared. They face threats like ocean pollution, climate change, fishing nets, and habitat destruction.
Plastic waste is still one of the biggest dangers. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their main food sources, which can lead to serious injury or death. Even though awareness once spread widely through social media trends, the problem itself has not disappeared. Climate change also plays a big role in endangering sea turtles. The temperature of the sand where eggs are laid determines whether the babies will be male or female. Warmer temperatures are producing mostly female turtles, which could lead to an imbalance in the population. Rising sea levels can also wash away nests before the eggs have a chance to hatch.
In addition, sea turtles are often accidentally in fishing nets. This is called bycatch. When turtles get trapped, they can drown because they need to come up for air.
Sea turtles are not all in the same situation, but many species are still endangered or critically endangered. Hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, Leatherback, and Green sea turtles all face different challenges, yet they share one thing in common: they need continued protection. Without stronger efforts to reduce pollution and protect their habitats, these ancient creatures could disappear forever.
