Today is WorldSeaTurtleDay Let’s celebrate these marine reptiles who travel the world's oceans helping maintain a balance in marine ecosystems. We can help tip the scales in a positive direction for their survival as all sea turtle species are threatened, endangered, or vulnerable.
It’s also North Carolina Sea Turtle Week! Five of the seven species of sea turtle nest on North Carolina’s ocean-front beaches. Loggerheads are the most common, but we have green, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley, and hawksbill sea turtles.
Threats to North Carolina sea turtles include habitat degradation, incidental capture, boat collision, light pollution and marine pollution. Reducing single-use plastic intake, proper disposal of fishing equipment, sea turtle friendly-lights, and picking trash off the ground are all ways to help these marine reptiles.
The North Carolina Aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher and on Roanoke Island and Jennette’s Pier all help to rehabilitate and release hundreds of sea turtles every year. This effort is led by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and includes many federal, state and private organizations including Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service.