Sometimes humans kill or injure sea turtles by doing many different things,
Here are some of them:
– if you accidentally throw a plastic bag in the ocean a turtle could think it is a jelly fish
– if you throw a plastic bag down the toilet and the bag dissolves small enough for a fish to eat,
Scientists have found plastic bags in Wales.
– sea turtles can get caught in nets
And many more sad things.
If you want to learn more google “Vimeo saving sea turtles” and pick the first one.
You can also learn more by leaving a comment
claire pontefract's blog 
Thanks once again for sharing your great knowledge and for wanting to make our world a safe and kind place for all creatures!
Hey Claire – wonderful post. You are right that the effect of plastic on sea turtles and other sea life is very sad. Unfortunately not enough people are aware of the effects of modern life and consumption habits on the natural world.
Discarded plastic is starting to become a significant concern especially for marine ecosystems where fish, sea birds and other marine life mistake bits of plastic for food. A new documentary film called Midway by Chris Jordan is attempting to bring awareness to the issue of the amount of plastic in marine ecosystems – the trailer can be found here but I warn you it is sad :
The filmaker found that Albatross on Midway Island (in the South Pacific), and particulary baby Albatross often become very ill because of the plastic that they mistakenly consume.
People are also becoming increasingly concerned about a phenomenon known as the great pacific garbage patch. As a result of pacific ocean currents, much of the worlds plastic trash accumulates in the North Pacific Gyre (North of Hawaii). You can read about it on the Smithonian National Museum of Natural History’s Ocean Blog here:
http://ocean.si.edu/blog/plastic-trash-plagues-ocean
So what can we do about ? Well, every little action helps.
Have you considered :
– oranganizing a beach cleanup with your classmates or friends ! It’s easy and fun – all you have to do is head to a local beach (or park, or riverside) and try to pick up as much plastic and garbage as you can. The whales, sea otters, salmon, sea gulls and seals will be so happy and much safer (and you might just see a few on your beach cleanup if you are lucky). Here are some tips on how to organize a beach cleanup:
http://mundoazul.org/zero-contamination/clean-peru/organize-clean-up/
One World One Ocean has a helpful beach cleanup event email template to invite friends – you can find it here :
https://secure.oneworldoneocean.org/page/share/organize-a-beach-or-river-clean-up-share
– be conscious of what you buy – try to avoid non-biodegradable plastic when other natural or biodegradable products are available
– always remember the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
By the way, did you see that scientists off the coast of Russia recently spotted an all white Orca ! They named him Iceberg. Check him out here :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17783603
I hope you are enjoying Victoria. Have you been out to Avatar Grove yet ?
Those are some awesome links!
I am really glad you liked my post!
The idea came from a grade 4 resent presentation last Friday.
Miss you
Claire
Hi, Claire. I’m a big fan of turtles as well. I have a red-eared slider at home who is now 17 years old. I thought she was a boy for the longest time until she started laying eggs when she was eight years old. She has laid eggs three times in her life so far, as many as 13 in one season.
Once, when I was in Mexico, I had the privilege of meeting some very large turtles (like the one in your picture) at a conversation area. They are called tortuags in Spanish and the local school children got to help release them into the sea after they hatched. Turtles are such beautiful, peaceful creatures and, to me, they represent tremendous strength and endurance.
Thanks for your post,which reminded me of some wonderful memories! 🙂
Hi, Claire!
I have a 17 year-old red-eared slider at home, who started laying eggs when she was eight years old. She’s done that three times now, sometimes laying as many as 13 eggs in one season. I also had the privilege of meeting some beautiful sea turtles in Mexico who were living at a conversation area. They are called tortugas in Spanish.
Thanks for your post, it’s bringing back some wonderful memories for me. 🙂
Hi Claire,
I really love that you blog about things you notice and are interested in!
You’re right that plastics bags are a big problem for sea turtles. People need to be much more careful. I spent a few months at a turtle conservation project in Brazil and saw a few turtles injured or killed by plastics bags. I also saw the amazing sight of a sea turtle digging her nest and laying eggs, as well as helped release hatchlings to the ocean. You should check with your parents first, and then you can see some pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katygartside/sets/72157616389878928/
Well done on a great blog, and I hope you keep sharing! I hope my students next year will get excited about blogging like you are 🙂
Katy
Cool!
I really like the pics on the turtles.
What school do you teach at?