The endangered world of sea turtles

The ambassadors of the oceans desperately need help

Sea turtles in Gahirmatha, Orissa, during the fascinating 'arribada' period. Photo: M. Muralidharan

Sea turtles are found in tropical and sub-tropical waters across the entire globe. They use sandy beaches to nest, they forage in sea grass meadows, they live in coral reefs and they migrate across ocean basins. They are thus among the most widespread and charismatic ambassadors of conservation, the flagships for the conservation of coastal and marine habitats, and biodiversity. Nowhere is this better reflected than in the fact that a mere seven species of sea turtles bring together nearly 1,000 people from over 70 countries each year.

The first annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation was held in Jacksonville, Florida, thirty years ago when a small group of dedicated sea turtle biologists gathered to meet and talk. A fixture in the US for the first 17 years, the symposium has been held there only twice since 2002, and has travelled to Malaysia, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico, Australia and now India.

Full article can be read in The Hindu 's Survey of the Environment 2010 . The publication is now on stands. Copies can be obtained by Registered Post (not V.P.P.) for Rs.80 (Rupees Eighty) by drawing a cheque in favour of "Kasturi and Sons Ltd." (Add Rs.10 for non-Chennai cheques) and sending it to the Circulation Department, The Hindu, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002 Email: >subs@thehindu.co.in

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