Life of the Ocean

and the
Marine Turtles
Importance of the Ocean

All of us rely on the ocean as our source of

Food and income

Ocean plays an important role in our life.

It produces half of the worlds oxygen and
absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than
other atmosphere.
Covering 70 percent of the Earth's
surface, the ocean transports heat
from the equator to the poles,
regulating our climate and weather
patterns.
The Life of the Ocean
The Fishes and other marine creatures are the
life of the ocean, the fishes plays a significant
role in keeping the ocean healthy and keep it in
balance.
Blue Parrot Fish
-Near threatened
Parrot Fish

They serve as the sand makers/providers of

the ocean, they eat dead corals and process it
until it becomes fine.

By there method of living, they provide

nourishment to the ocean floor.
MARINE
TURTLES
Marine Sea Turtle Life Cycle
Only 1% of the Eggs
hatched Can reach
Maturity/Adulthood
Philippine Identified Turtles

5 Species of
Marine Sea Turtles
Identified
Philippine Identified Turtles

5 Species of
Green Sea Turtle Marine Sea Turtles
Identified
Philippine Identified Turtles

5 Species of
Hawks Bill SeaTurtle Marine Sea Turtles
Identified
Philippine Identified Turtles

5 Species of
Olive Ridley Marine Sea Turtles
Identified
Philippine Identified Turtles

5 Species of
Loggerhead Marine Sea Turtles
Identified
Philippine Identified Turtles

5 Species of
Leather Back Marine Sea Turtles
Identified
 The Philippines has 5 species of marine turtles, namely: green turtle
(Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley turtle
(Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and
loggerhead turtle
(Caretta caretta). The green turtle, hawksbill turtle and olive ridley turtle nest
in the Philippines while leatherback turtles nesting in Peninsular Malaysia and
Indonesia-Papua and loggerhead turtles nesting in Japan only forage in
Philippine waters. Green turtle, hawksbill turtle and olive ridley turtle are
documented to nest throughout the beaches
of the country. The most important nesting area for green turtle in the
country is Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in Tawi-Tawi. The municipality is
part of the Philippine-Sabah Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area, an area
jointly managed by the Governments of the Philippines and Malaysia through
a Memorandum of Agreement signed in 1996.
The area produces 1 to 2 million eggs per year and is considered to be one of
the two remaining major nesting
rookeries in the Southeast Asia. All species are protected and classified as
endangered pursuant to Republic Act No.
RA9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. However
hawksbill turtle is classified as critically
Philippines
Importance of Marine Sea Turtles
 Humans have caused sea turtle populations
to decline significantly all over the world.1
Initially, direct fishing for sea turtles was the
main reason for population declines.Today,
other threats, including injury or death in
commercial fisheries, habitat degradation
andclimatechangetopthelist.2Theresultingpop
ulation declines have reduced the species’
ability to fulfill their roles in maintaining
healthy marine ecosystems
 What we do know is that sea turtles even at
diminished population level play an important
role in ocean ecosystems by maintaining
healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs,
providing key habitat for other marine life,
helping to balance marine food webs and
facilitating nutrient cycling from water to land.
MAINTAINING HABITAT
Impact of Green SeaTurtles on
Seagrass Beds
 Green sea turtles, one of the few large species of herbivores that eat
seagrass, help to maintain healthy seagrass beds. When green sea turtles
graze, they increase the productivity and nutrient content of seagrass
blades.7,8 Without constant grazing, seagrass beds become overgrown
and obstruct currents, shade the bottom, begin to decompose and provide
suitable habitat for the growth of slime molds.9,10Older portions of
seagrass beds tend to be overgrown with microorganisms, algae,
invertebrates and fungi.
 Sea turtles forage on seagrass just a few centimeters from the bottom of
the blades, allowing older, upper portions of the blades to float away. As
the turtles crop and re-crop the same plot, seagrass blades are removed
from the area rather than accumulating on the bottom. This results in a
fold decrease in the supply of nitrogen to seagrass roots, which impacts
plant species, nutrient cycling, animal densities and predator-prey
relations. As seen in the Caribbean, the decline of green sea turtles can
result in a loss of productivity in the food web – including commercially
exploited reef fish – decreasing the amount of protein-rich food available
for people.
Impact of Hawksbill SeaTurtles on
Coral Reefs
 Equipped with beak-like mouths, hawksbill sea
turtles forage on a variety of marine sponges. By
doing this, they change the species composition
and distribution of sponges in coral reef
ecosystems. Sponges compete aggressively for
space with reef-building corals. By removing
sponges from reefs, hawksbills allow other
species, such as coral, to colonize and grow.
Without hawksbills, sponges are likely to
dominate reef communities, further limiting the
growth of corals and modifying the very structure
of coral reef ecosystems.
 The physical and chemical defenses of
sponges prevent most fish and marine
mammals from eating them. As hawksbills rip
sponges apart during feeding, they expose
food to marine species typically unable to
penetrate the sponge’s exterior, making
sponges more vulnerable to predators.
Through their selective foraging behavior,
hawksbills impact the overall diversity of reef
communities.
Benefit of SeaTurtles to Beach Dunes
 Sea turtle eggs directly and indirectly affect the vegetation,
species distribution and stability of sandy shorelines. By
supplying a concentrated source of high-quality nutrients, sea
turtles improve their nesting beaches. Limited nutrients in dune
ecosystems, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, are
partially provided to the ecosystem by unhatched sea turtle eggs.
These vital nutrients allow for the continued growth of vegetation
and subsequent stabilization of beach dunes. Plant growth not
only helps to stabilize the shoreline, but also provides food for a
variety of plant eating animals and therefore can influence
species distribution. Sea turtle eggs also provide a food source
for many predators, which in turn redistribute nutrients among
dunes through their feces. These nutrients aid the growth of
vegetation and stabilization of the dunes. By contributing
nutrients to beach ecosystems, sea turtles help to stabilize
dunes, and therefore their own nesting habitat.
SeaTurtles and Jellyfish
 Leatherbacks, the largest of the sea turtles, travel
the farthest of any sea turtle species and have
wide ranging effects on the ocean ecosystem.
Surprisingly, leatherbacks get their energy and
nutritional needs from a small, gelatinous source
—jellyfish. Growing up to 9 feet in length and
migrating across entire oceans, leatherbacks rely
on large concentrations of jellyfish to satisfy their
appetites. They have been known to consume up
to 440 pounds of jellyfish –nearly the weight of
an adult African lion eachday
SeaTurtles Provide Food for Fish
 By carrying around barnacles, algae and other similar
organisms known as epibionts, sea turtles provide a food
source for fish and shrimp. Other organisms, such as
sheepshead bream, wrasse, angelfish and barberpole shrimp,
establish “cleaning stations” for sea turtles to visit. Without
stretched limbs and a raised head, sea turtles expose their
bodies, offering a meal to eager fish and shrimp. This
behavior not only feeds smaller organisms, but also benefits
sea turtles by reducing drag and keeping their skin and shells
clean. Schools of fish can be seen cleaning sea turtles while
they sleep or even following aggregations of sea turtles in
transit. Some species obtain their diet strictly from epibionts
found on seaturtles. Without this food source, certain species
of fish and shrimp might be forced to develop other, less
successful methods for obtaining food.
Proper Handling
of
Marine Turtles
and
their Hatchlings
Proper Handling of a Hatchling
Improper Handling
Proper Handling
Handling a turtle
 DO pick up a turtle using both of your hands, one on each side of the shell, between the front and
back legs. It isn't a good idea to pick up a turtle using just one hand. Turtles are quite good at
freeing themselves with a bit of wiggling, kicking, clawing and biting. Some are surprisingly
slippery too!

 DON'T pick up a turtle by the tail (that includes snappers!) It can dislocate (separate) the bones in
the tail, which is very painful for the turtle.

 DON'T turn a turtle quickly. A quick flip, swing or twist can pull painfully on organs and
connecting tissue. You don't want to move a turtle around so fast that its organs have to play
"catch up!" It should take at least two full seconds to turn an animal over, counting: "one-thousand
one, one-thousand two."

 DO rotate the animal head over tail (or tail over head) rather than side over side if you want to look
at the plastron (bottom shell). (Clearly this may not be possible with very big or aggressive turtles
where you need to keep the head pointed away from you at all times.) Turning a turtle side over
side can cause the intestine to twist, which is painful and can kill your turtle.
 DON'T complete the circle! When you need to turn a turtle over, don't put the animal
through a full 360 degrees of revolution (a complete circle), just 180 degrees to minimize
the chances of twisting the intestines.

 DON'T keep a turtle on its back any longer than absolutely necessary. Such a position is
unnatural and stressful to the animal. Turtles stuck on their back feel out of control,
vulnerable to predators. All of their instincts tell them to turn over, or if that isn't possible,
to draw into their shell for some protection. A turtle on its back isn't a happy camper!

 DON'T gesture with your hands while holding a turtle. Remember, it's a living creature and
may suffer stress from being waved around. If you need to move your hands, avoid quick
hand movements or changes in direction; move slowly and smoothly.

 DO put the animal down as gently as possible to avoid injury to the legs or internal organs.
 DO remember that a turtle's shell is living tissue, and is quite sensitive to touch.
Avoid tapping on it, and never strike the shell against another surface. Aside
from possibly injuring the shell, it can be stressful on the turtle.

 DON'T hold a turtle with a soft shell (young turtles, species of turtles with
naturally soft shells, turtles with diseases that make their shell soft) by the back
edge of the shell. It can cause permanent damage. Try to apply as little pressure
as possible to the shell when restraining the animal. Keep in mind that it
generally requires less pressure to get a good grip when you use a two-handed
hold than when you use a one-handed hold. Support the underside well.

 DON'T put your fingers between the top and bottom shell at the front or back
end of a box turtle. These turtles can box up quite tightly, pinching your
fingers.
Newly Hatched turtles
 Incubation
 Incubation time varies with species, clutch size, and
temperature and humidity in the nest.
 The incubation time for most species is 45 to 70 days.
 Research indicates that the sex of an embryo is
dependent on the temperature of the nest. Lower nest
temperatures produce more males; higher temperatures
produce more females.
 For green sea turtles, a nest temperature of 28°C (82°F)
or below produces mostly males; a temperature of 31°C
(88°F) or above produces mostly females; and
temperatures between these two produce a mixture of
male and female hatchlings.
Hatching
Sea turtles hatch throughout the year
but mostly in summer.
Hatchlings use a carbuncle (temporary
egg tooth) to help break open the
shell.
After hatching, the young turtles may
take 3 to 7 days to dig their way to the
surface.
Hatchlings usually wait until night to
emerge from the nest. Emerging at
night reduces exposure to daytime
predators. Studies have shown that
some nests will produce hatchlings on
more than one night.
For most sea turtle species,
undisturbed nests can have more than
90% of the clutch successfully hatch.
Nests disturbed by humans or animal
predators tend to have a 25% or even
much lower success rate.
Reaching the ocean
 There are several theories as to how hatchlings find the sea.
 Hatchlings may discriminate light intensities and head for the greater light
intensity of the open horizon.
 During the crawl to the sea, the hatchling may set an internal magnetic
compass, which it uses for navigation away from the beach.
 When a hatchling reaches the surf, it dives into a wave and rides the
undertow out to sea.
 A "swim frenzy" of continuous swimming takes place for about 24 to 48
hours after the hatchling enters the water.
 This frantic activity gets the young turtle into deeper water, where it is less
vulnerable to predators.
 There have been reports of swimming hatchlings diving straight down
when birds and even airplanes appear overhead. This diving behavior may
be a behavioral adaptation for avoiding predation by birds.
 Past the surf zone, hatchlings use their internal magnetic compass for
orientation.
Making a Positive difference
for Sea Turtles in your Area is as
Simple as following five
easy Steps we have outlined below
Turn Out Lights Visible From the Beach !

- Sea turtle hatchlings use light and reflections from the moon
to find their way to the water at night. Artificial lighting confuses
the hatchlings and causes them to head inland instead of out to sea
– putting them in dangerous situations which can lead to death.
Artificial lights also discourage adult females from nesting on the beach.
Short of turning off your lights, you can also take measures to shield,
redirect and lower the intensity of the lights on your property
2. Reduce the Amount of Garbage You Produce and
Clean Up Trash You See On the Beach.

 Sea turtles can become tangled in plastic and

trash both on the shore and in the water.
Discarded items such as fishing lines,
balloons and plastic bags may also be
confused for food and eaten by sea turtles,
often resulting in injury or death.
3. Be Aware of Sea Turtle Nesting Areas and
Avoid Nesting and Hatching Turtles.
 Sea turtles are cute, and therefore tempting
to touch and observe – but flashlights and
people disturb turtles when they are nesting,
or trying to nest, on the beach. Make sure to
give nesting areas plenty of space, and do not
disturb females as they emerge from the
ocean looking for a place to nest. Also be
conscious of where nesting areas are so that
you can avoid trampling the hatchlings as
they head to the water.
4. Reduce the Amount of Chemicals
You Use.
 The chemicals you use on your lawn and in
your home can actually wash into the coastal
waters – killing plants and animals. It is very
important to properly dispose of toxic
chemicals and, even better, find alternative
products such as biodegradable solutions.
5. Volunteer!
 There are countless ways in which you can
make a positive difference in the lives of sea
turtles. Organize a clean-up day with your
friends and clear the beach of litter, give a
presentation to your neighborhood or local
school on things they can do to save sea
turtles, and most importantly, talk to others
about what they can do to make sure they are
not putting these important creatures in
danger.
Important Notes !!!
- Never Dig/Disturb a Turtles nest
- Never Touch a newly hatch sea Turtle.
(Human Imprinting)
- Never Keep a sea Turtle for Pet.

-All Species of Sea Turtles in the Philippines is

Considered as Critically Endangered. And all of the
Marine Sea Turtles are Endangered Species,
Poaching, Pet Trading, and illegal trade of meat and
eggs for human consumption are punishable under the
Republic Act 9147.(conservation and protection of
wildlife resources and their habitats)
Thank You!!!