Red Sea Turtle Project

Sharm El Sheikh - Egypt

Conservation issues

Due to human activity Sea Turtles are on the verge of complete extinction but it is not inevitable. As human actions pose the main threat to their existence so human action can help ensure their survival.

So what can we do?

INCREASE AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION.
Get involved in a conservation or sea turtle educational programme. Sign up for Marco's online PADI - Sea Turtle Awareness Specialty.

DONATE.
This will allow the Red Sea Turtle Project to remain active and continue the efforts in conservation awareness and activities. You can donate at your own discretion. Thank you in advance for your generosity.


6 WAYS TO SAFELY INTERACT WITH SEA TURTLES UNDERWATER.

  1. •Do not chase sea turtles. This is viewed as threatening behaviour and will scare the turtle, causing unnecessary stress.

  2. •Do not touch sea turtles. This is also stressful for the turtle and will result in the turtle being driven away from that particular location.

  3. •Do not grab or ride sea turtles. As amphibian reptiles, they need to surface regularly in order to breathe. If the turtle is grabbed and frightened on its way to take a breath it will risk drowning to descend again and escape the threat.

  4. •Do not interfere with the natural behaviour of sea turtles. Try and keep a safe distance so that the animal can behave naturally whether it's feeding, swimming or just resting.

  5. •Collect any plastic bags you find in the water. These are mistaken for food by sea turtles and may cause asphyxiation.

  6. •Enjoy the experience. Seeing a sea turtle underwater is an amazing experience and a long lasting memory. So enjoy it and cherish it.

EDUCATION.
Knowledge is power. The more knowledge we have the more we can help. We need to learn as much as possible about sea turtles, their behaviour and their biology to be able to help them survive. Some classic resources for further reading on sea turtles:

  1. •Carr, A. 1956. The Windward Road: Adventures of a Naturalist on Remote Caribbean Shores. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY.

  2. •Carr A. 1967, So Excellent a Fishe: A Natural History of Sea Turtles. The Natural History Press, Garden City, NY.

  3. •Pritchard, P.C.H. 1979, Encyclopedia of Turtles. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune, NJ.

GET ON LINE.
Look for other conservation initiatives: MEDASSET, Euroturtle, CCC Turtle, Sea Turtle, IO Sea Turtles, are a few of the many sites accesible. For a more comprehensive listing visit IACSE Turtle.

CONTINUE TO RESEARCH AND MONITOR SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS.
This will ensure conservation efforts are aimed at the most appropriate and needed areas.