As recreational anglers, we often pride ourselves on being stewards of the marine environment, appreciating its beauty and bounty. But what happens when we encounter a distressed marine animal, like a turtle washed ashore? Many of us may feel an instinct to “help” by returning it to the ocean. However, marine conservation experts stress that this well-meaning gesture could have deadly consequences for the turtle—and here’s why.
“Turtles strand on beaches because they are in trouble,” says Tracy Whitehead, from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Rescue Network. “Adult stranding season is something we see annually between Sept and Feb along our coast. They may be sick, injured, and simply too weak to survive in the wild and putting them back in the water could very well lead to their death. One major reason for weakness that causes turtles to strand is plastic ingestion and the subsequent inability to feed, plus possible internal infection.”
Turtles don’t choose to beach but can become stranded by onshore currents and weather and we are able, to a degree, to predict stranding areas and times by focusing on the weather patterns.
Hatchlings strand when they are pushed into our cold Cape coastal waters by wind and rough seas during hatchling stranding season March to June approx, after having been in the warm Agulhas current since first reaching the ocean after hatching. This causes cold shock and hyperthermia which, in turn, causes dehydration and weakness. They are fortunate if they strand and are found by a rescuer and then brought to us for rehabilitation and release.
If you’re out on the beach or returning from a fishing trip and come across a turtle in distress, follow these steps to give it the best chance of survival. The most crucial advice for anyone encountering a turtle on the beach is simple: do not return it to the ocean.
As anglers, we’re often closest to these marine creatures and witness firsthand the impact of human activity on their lives. By reporting and rescuing stranded turtles, you can actively contribute to marine conservation. These creatures are essential to maintaining healthy oceans. For instance, adult turtles graze on sea sponges and seagrass, preventing overgrowth and supporting the marine food chain.
But turtles face increasing threats, many tied to fishing activities such as ghost fishing gear, plastic pollution, and habitat destruction. By adopting ethical fishing practices, by using biodegradable fishing line and properly disposing of waste, anglers can reduce these dangers.
The Turtle Rescue Network, led by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, specialises in saving stranded turtles and nursing them back to health. Every turtle rescued undergoes extensive treatment at the Turtle Conservation Centre, where injuries are treated, and weakened turtles are rehabilitated.
Upon recovery, some turtles are tagged before being released back into the ocean, contributing to vital research on migration patterns and population health. Unfortunately, the Foundation doesn’t have the funds to tag every turtle as this is a very expensive exercise.
For emergencies, call the Turtle Rescue Hotline at +27 (0) 83 300 1663. Together, we can protect these ancient mariners and the ecosystems they help sustain.
To learn more about the Turtle Rescue Network or to contribute, visit www.aquarium.co.za/foundation.
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