Protecting Kemp's Ridley Turtles: Simple Ways To Help

Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the smallest sea turtles in the world and are considered critically endangered. They are named after Richard M. Kemp, a fisherman from Key West, Florida, who helped discover the species. They are primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico, but juveniles can be found in the Atlantic as far north as Nova Scotia. They are known for their unique nesting habit, where large groups of females come ashore to nest at the same time, known as an arribada.

The greatest threat to Kemp's ridley sea turtles is human activity, including the collection of eggs and the killing of adults and juveniles for meat and other products. Bycatch in commercial and recreational fishing gear is also a significant threat. Conservation efforts, such as the protection of nesting beaches and the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawls, have helped to slow the decline of the Kemp's ridley population.

To help protect Kemp's ridley sea turtles, it is important to reduce plastic waste, refrain from releasing balloons, and keep beaches clean and dark at night to avoid disturbing nesting turtles.

Protecting nesting beaches

Protecting the nesting beaches of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle is crucial to the survival of the species. Here are some measures that can be taken to safeguard these critical habitats:

Beach Clean-ups and Waste Management:

Organizing and participating in beach clean-ups can help remove debris and waste that could endanger nesting turtles, eggs, and hatchlings. This includes removing recreational equipment, filling in holes, and knocking down sandcastles left by beachgoers. Additionally, proper waste management practices, such as responsible disposal of fishing lines and reducing plastic use, can prevent marine debris from harming turtles and polluting their habitats.

Lighting Considerations:

Artificial lighting near nesting beaches can disorient hatchlings and deter nesting females from coming ashore. To mitigate this, it is essential to keep nesting beaches dark at night by turning off, shielding, or redirecting lights visible from the beach. This helps ensure that hatchlings crawl towards the ocean instead of being attracted to artificial light sources.

Vehicle Restrictions:

Driving on nesting beaches should be prohibited to protect turtles, eggs, and hatchlings from being struck by vehicles. Vehicle traffic can also degrade the nesting habitat by causing sand compaction and creating ruts that hinder the movement of turtles and hatchlings.

Nest Monitoring and Protection:

Implementing organized patrols to monitor and protect Kemp's ridley nests is crucial. This involves locating nests, moving eggs to protected areas, and monitoring them to increase hatchling survival. Additionally, controlled public viewing of hatchling releases can help raise awareness and garner support for conservation efforts.

Beach Conservation and Restoration:

Coastal development and rising sea levels due to climate change pose a threat to nesting beach habitats. Conservation efforts should focus on preserving and restoring natural beach ecosystems, including dunes, to provide suitable nesting sites for Kemp's ridleys. This includes minimizing shoreline hardening or armoring, such as the construction of seawalls, which can lead to the loss of dry sand necessary for successful nesting.

By implementing these measures, we can help protect the nesting beaches of Kemp's ridley sea turtles, ensuring the survival and recovery of this endangered species.

Reducing accidental capture in fishing gear

• Use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) are devices that can be installed in fishing nets to help reduce the accidental capture of sea turtles. In the United States, the use of TEDs is required in shrimp trawl fisheries to reduce the mortality of sea turtles caught as bycatch.
• Changes to fishing practices: Working closely with the shrimp trawl fishing industry, fisheries authorities can implement changes to fishing practices that reduce the accidental capture of sea turtles. This may include modifying fishing gear, changing fishing locations or times, or using different bait types.
• International cooperation: The conservation of Kemp's ridley sea turtles requires international cooperation and agreements, as they are highly migratory animals. Collaboration between governments and organisations is vital to ensure their survival.
• Research and monitoring: Authorities can work with partners to research and monitor the accidental capture of Kemp's ridley sea turtles in fishing gear. This information can then be used to develop and implement changes to fishing gear and practices to reduce bycatch.
• Education and enforcement: Educating fishermen about the importance of reducing bycatch and enforcing regulations can help reduce the accidental capture of Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
• Reducing marine debris: Marine debris, such as discarded fishing gear and plastic pollution, can entangle and harm sea turtles. Reducing the amount of marine debris can help decrease the risk of accidental capture.

Reducing the effects of entanglement and ingestion of marine debris

To reduce the effects of entanglement and ingestion of marine debris on Kemp's ridley sea turtles, it is important to address the issue of marine debris in oceans and the ingestion of debris by sea turtles. Here are some ways to reduce these threats:

• Improving waste management practices: Implementing better waste management techniques and properly disposing of trash can help reduce the amount of marine debris that ends up in the oceans. This includes proper disposal of items such as fishing gear, plastic bags, balloons, and other materials that can entangle or be ingested by sea turtles.
• Participating in coastal clean-up efforts: Volunteering for coastal clean-up initiatives can help remove existing marine debris from beaches and waterways, reducing the risk of entanglement and ingestion by Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
• Reducing plastic waste and plastic use: By reducing plastic waste and opting for reusable alternatives, we can decrease the amount of plastic pollution that ends up in the oceans. This includes using reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and avoiding the release of balloons, which can be mistaken for prey by sea turtles.
• Addressing ghost gear: Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, poses a significant threat to sea turtles. By implementing measures such as better gear maintenance, proper disposal of worn-out gear, and using biodegradable or more robust materials for fishing gear, we can reduce the amount of ghost gear in the oceans.
• Promoting responsible fishing practices: Working with fishing industries to adopt turtle-friendly practices, such as using turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawl fisheries, can help reduce the bycatch of Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
• Educating the public: Raising awareness about the threats posed by marine debris and promoting responsible behaviours, such as reducing plastic use and disposing of fishing lines properly, can help reduce the impact of marine debris on Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

Reducing vessel strikes

Vessel strikes are a significant threat to sea turtles, including Kemp's ridley turtles, as they use shallow coastal waters frequented by high-density boat traffic and are often unable to avoid vessels travelling at high speeds. Vessel strikes are a particular problem in places such as the southeastern United States, where increased coastal development and boat ownership have resulted in greater recreational boat traffic.

To reduce vessel strikes on Kemp's ridley turtles, conservation interventions should be targeted and voluntary, with community support. For example, go-slow zones are among the most acceptable types of boating-related interventions. Speed reduction areas are known to reduce the potential for, and severity of, vessel strikes on sea turtles. Faster speeds increase the risk of both collision and mortality as turtles have a reduced flight response at higher vessel speeds.

In addition, interventions that overlap with existing interventions, such as speed reduction zones for other species, and add minimal new restrictions and inconveniences, are more likely to be supported by the community. Interventions must also be accompanied by boater education and explanatory materials on the need for, and the effectiveness of, such management strategies.

To inform potential conservation interventions to mitigate vessel strikes on sea turtles, a survey of Florida boaters gauged perceptions of potential conservation interventions in the St. Lucie Inlet, Florida, and surrounding waterways. The survey found that respondents were most willing to support go-slow zones from an expert-driven list of interventions.

Reducing the impact of climate change

Climate change is one of the most significant threats to Kemp's ridley sea turtles, affecting them at all stages of their life cycle and in all their habitats. Here are some ways to reduce the impact of climate change and help protect these endangered turtles:

Protect and Restore Nesting Beaches

Kemp's ridley sea turtles face the threat of losing their nesting beaches due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. It is important to protect and restore these critical habitats by implementing conservation measures such as beach restoration projects and creating protected areas. Beach driving should be prohibited, as it can harm nesting turtles and degrade their habitats.

Mitigate the Effects of Warmer Nesting Beach Temperatures

The temperature of the sand in which Kemp's ridley sea turtle eggs incubate determines the gender of the hatchlings. With rising temperatures, there is a risk of an imbalance in the sex ratio, favouring females. This could have a significant impact on the genetic diversity and long-term survival of the species. One possible solution is to relocate nests to cooler areas of the beach or use artificial incubation methods to control temperatures and ensure a balanced sex ratio.

Address the Impact of Warmer Ocean Temperatures

Warmer ocean temperatures can negatively affect the food sources of Kemp's ridley sea turtles, such as coral reefs. It is crucial to address the root causes of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate these effects. Additionally, protecting and restoring coral reefs can help maintain this important food source for the turtles.

Reduce Marine Debris and Pollution

Climate change is not the only threat to Kemp's ridley sea turtles. Marine debris, such as plastic waste and abandoned fishing gear, can entangle and harm the turtles. Reducing the use of single-use plastics and properly disposing of fishing gear can help minimise this threat.

Adapt to Changing Migration Patterns

Climate change can alter the migratory routes and foraging areas of Kemp's ridley sea turtles. By studying and understanding these changes, conservationists can adapt their protection efforts accordingly. This may include establishing new protected areas and ensuring the turtles have access to suitable habitats throughout their life cycle.

International Cooperation

The highly migratory nature of Kemp's ridley sea turtles means that international cooperation is essential for their conservation. Collaboration between governments, non-governmental organisations, and local communities is vital to address the impacts of climate change and protect these turtles across their range.

Frequently asked questions