New Device to Protect Sea Turtles?

By sarajean on 6/28/09 9:40pm
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When I read stories like this one, two thoughts cross my mind. The first is, “Awesome! This is exactly what we need.” The second? “It’s about bloody time. Why haven’t we done this already?” Though sea turtle protection is long overdue—especially considering that all species of sea turtles are endangered—we can definitely welcome any protection now with open arms. Better late than never, right?

Since many sea turtles meet their untimely deaths in fisherman’s nets, a new device is being developed to target these nets in order to protect turtles. Fishery managers are using a Cape Cod company to develop a device that will allow them to continue using fishing nets while still protecting sea turtles.

Hopefully it’s not too good to be true.

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What could be cuter?

By macallister on 6/15/09 11:05pm
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What's cooler and cuter than turtles? Baby turtles.

And what's cuter and cooler than baby turtles?

Baby turtles just hatching.

This Week in Turtle News

By sarajean on 6/7/09 8:45pm
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Our leathery shelled friends have made the news multiple times this week:

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Baby Sea Turtles Released for World Turtle Day

By sarajean on 5/26/09 8:05pm
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With all of the news of the swine flu epidemic coming out of Mexico, some brighter news is always welcome. These sea turtles, released in Puerto Escondido, Mexico on World Turtle Day last Saturday, are definitely a ray of light—not just for Mexico, but for sea turtles in general.

All species of sea turtles are labeled as either endangered or threatened, so any attempts to increase their population provide hope for their survival. Though it’s illegal to hunt most turtle varieties, they are still captured and sold as a delicacy in China and many other countries—as well as used for leather products such as shoes and wallets.

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Caretta Carettas in Dangerous Waters

By astrocastro on 11/29/08 11:30pm
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Loggerhead Turtles at riskIn the last five months, Mandalya Bay has turned into a death port for caretta caretta sea turtles, also known as loggerhead turtles, an endangered species.  The death of these turtles is being blamed on on local fish farm operators who see the turtles as a threat to their farms.  Five turtles were found hacked to peices with their innards pulled out

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A Close Call For the Last Yangtze Turtle In the Wild

By astrocastro on 11/28/08 10:47pm
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It seems that one of the four remaining Yangtze turtles left in the world was near to becoming someone's next pot of soup.  A few weeks ago, after severe flooding of the Dong Mo lake near Hanoi broke a dam, the rare turtle was swept away.  Cleveland Metroparks Zoo turtle conservationists feared that the trutle might be dead.

As it turns out the turtle had been swept away over the dam, and amazingly survived the fall, but was caught in a fishing net.

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Turtles Get A Sermon On Their Behalf

By astrocastro on 11/15/08 4:24pm
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In Malaysia turtles are getting support from local religious leaders.

State deputy assistant commissioner of mosque administration Kamaruddin Muhamad said the sermon would also include threats to the environment and the importance of preserving it in line with Islamic teachings.

Kamaruddin said a sermon on environmental conservation was delivered two years ago, but it did not touch on turtle conservation. Based on feedback, it was a success.

"We found that the congregation became more environmentally sensitive after the sermon in 2006.

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Turtle vs. Tiger Shark

By astrocastro on 11/12/08 4:25pm
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Check out these cool turtles, courtesy of National Geographic.

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Don't Call This Turtle A Punk

By beatriz on 10/9/08 6:16pm
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Don\'t call this turtle a punkCould this turtle be responsible for starting the green mohawk trend and spiky lip-piercing fad commonly associated with punks?

Uploaded on October 5, 2007
by chrisvanwyksadventures

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Yangtze Giant Soft-Shelled Turtles On the Brink Of Extinction

By beatriz on 10/8/08 6:33pm
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Yangtze Giant Soft-Shelled Turtles, natives of China and Vietnam are on the verge of extinction.