Guardians of the Sea: unveiling the impact of plastic on sea turtles and how to safeguard them

Sea turtles are an obvious symbol of the global epidemic of plastic pollution.

During their migrations, mothers swim through plastic islands, while nests on beaches are threatened by toxic microplastics. Little ones face macro plastic obstacles on their way to the sea. Turtles, mistaking plastic for food, are at risk of ingesting plastic bags, balloons, straws and spoons, ending up trapped in rings of wrappers and phantom fishing gear.

Plastic, durable and slow to degrade, poses a lasting threat. Despite the prospect of ending single-use plastic as a long-term solution, millions of tons of plastic would persist in the ocean even if production were to cease today, impacting sea turtles, other marine species and humanity.

Five ways plastic affects sea turtles

1. Sea turtles can confuse plastic bags with jellyfish-a turtle in the water cannot tell the difference and often eats the bag, which gets stuck in its stomach.
2. Debris on nesting beaches: in many places adult sea turtles must crawl through collected debris to find a place to nest, and hatchlings can become entangled in debris as they try to reach the ocean. Even small plastic fragments in the sand can affect nests and hatchlings.
3. They can get stuck while swimming: many turtles make long migrations and pass through areas with a lot of plastic in the ocean. They can become entangled in objects such as six-pack rings or discarded fishing gear.
4. Helium-filled balloons can also resemble jellyfish-these balloons can travel hundreds of miles in the air and land in rivers or the ocean.
5. They can consume microplastics from their food: small pieces of plastic consumed by fish or other animals can then be eaten by those who consume them, such as turtles (and humans). Most of the waste reaches the seas through rivers, and 80 percent comes from landfills and other urban sources. This waste, which is also consumed by fish and can entangle sharks and damage coral reefs, tends to accumulate in gyres (areas of slow spiraling waters and weak winds) and along shorelines.

What can we do?

Here are five effective ways to reduce plastic in the oceans:

1. Embrace a World Without Plastic: Take personal responsibility in your daily actions. It is crucial that governments also step up regulation of the plastics industry to ensure a lasting impact.
2. Sign petitions and contribute donations to help eliminate plastic from sea turtle habitats. There are various programs that are committed to cleaning up turtle nesting beaches and the ocean. By supporting this program, your donation will directly help reduce this threat to sea turtles around the world. For this we invite you to check out the website of TAP – Travellers Against Plastic.
3. Participate in Environmental Cleanup: Get involved in beach and community cleanup events. Take a bag with you on walks in the neighborhood, visits to the beach, or excursions so that you can collect plastic waste. Recycle what you can and manage the rest properly.
4. Develop Markets for Recycled and Oceanic Plastics: Foster the creation of new markets for plastic waste by purchasing products made from oceanic or recycled plastics. Only a small percentage of plastic is currently recycled, and support for such products is helping to reverse this trend.
5. Limit Plastic Use: Reduce the use of single-use plastic by carefully planning your activities. Bring a reusable bag when shopping, prefer reusable water bottles over drinks in disposable containers, and avoid disposable cutlery and straws whenever possible.

A small daily effort can make a significant difference.

We conclude this article with a special invitation : explore our ocean adventures, immerse yourself in unique sea turtle swimming experiences, and actively participate in the defense of our beaches.

Find your destination among our alternatives here.

The choice is yours, begin your journey toward positive impact today!