Sea turtles are native to England, and you may even come across giant leatherback turtles. Found worldwide, they are known as the ‘ocean lawnmowers’ as they eat seagrass. Their other favourite food is jellyfish, which is why it’s important never to release balloons (as 70% of them land in the ocean and get eaten as they look similar).
Sea turtles are beautiful creatures with incredible shells (so never buy anything made from tortoiseshell like combs, sunglasses or hair slides). Some species even hitch a ride on them.
Two main hazards to sea turtles asre plastic straws (the video of one getting a straw removed from his nostril and light pollution (many turtles are going to car parks to give birth, mistaking the lights for the moon, by which they navigate).
Advanced Mooring Systems makes boat anchor alternatives to protect seagrass beds and turtles. Anglers can invest in monomaster (a small device to store fishing line that unlike conventional bins, does not encourage birds to nest and also get tangled).
This photo by Jordi Chias highlights issues of ghost fishing waste, after he untangled a sea turtle trapped in fishing net.
the longest-swimming sea turtle in history!
Yoshi Sea Turtle is the true story of a loggerhead turtle who was born in Australia then swan across an ocean filled with sharks and seahorses to only land in a fishing net. Rescued by a passing fisherman, she was rehabbed (and tagged). Then released to make a record-breaking swim across the Indian Ocean to the beach where she hatched to lay her eggs. Written by a record-breaking human swimmer, this is the tale of a sea turtle who swam the longest distance of any animal, in recorded history.
