May 1, 2015
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society sea turtle defense campaign, Operation Jairo, needs sea turtle protection volunteers this summer in three regions critical to nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings: southeastern Florida, Honduras and Costa Rica. Last season, Sea Shepherd sea turtle defense campaigns in Costa Rica, Honduras and Cape Verde protected and released nearly 10,000 sea turtles to the ocean. Anyone interested in joining Operation Jairo, should visit http://www.seashepherd.org/get-involved/ground-crew.html for more information.
According to Sea Shepherd, six of seven species of sea turtles are on the brink of extinction and an average of only one in 1000 hatchlings surviving to adulthood. While poaching is the single biggest threat they face, sea turtles are often accidentally caught as by-catch in fishing operations and many die from ingesting plastic and other marine debris. Additionally, turtle meat and eggs are regularly consumed by some cultures as food, and even considered a delicacy. The black-market demand for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes and supposed health benefits is contributing further to this gentle creature’s demise.
Among the sites to be patrolled by Sea Shepherd volunteers this season during Operation Jairo is Moin Beach in Costa Rica’s Limón province, the site of the tragic murder of young turtle conservationist Jairo Mora Sandoval. In honor of his work to protect the turtles, Sea Shepherd has named this upcoming campaign after him.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society USA is a non-profit marine conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Founded by Captain Paul Watson, a respected leader in environmental issues, Sea Shepherd works to safeguard the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems to ensure their survival for future generations. Visit www.seashepherd.org for more information.
Video and photo provided by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Credits and special thanks: Film by BlueMedia.noMusic by Kai-Anders Ryan kaiandersryan.no Photos by Mélanie Chamorel melaniechamorel.com “Turtle in trouble” photo by Jordi Chias uwaterphoto.com
