Why are sea turtles worth saving?
We are still learning about the importance of sea turtles in the environment but it is thought that they play many important ecological roles. The shells of loggerhead turtles provide habitat for dozens of species including the Columbus crab and might be very important for the survival of these crabs. Green turtles grazing on seagrass may help to maintain the health of the grass bed. Hawksbill turtles are believed to be keystone species in coral reef environments, grazing on encrusting sponges and preventing them from out-competing slow growing corals. This maintains species diversity and the natural balance of fragile reef systems. All those who have witnessed a mother sea turtle laying her eggs or seeing turtle hatchlings dashing from their nest to the sea will have been moved by the experience. We will have seen one of the few examples in nature where such a large wild animal can be observed so close up or at such vulnerable time in it’s life cycle. Perhaps the most important reason
