Loggerhead turtles are ancient creatures that are more than just long-time residents in Greece and around the globe; they play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Let’s dive into why these turtles are so important and how they contribute to biodiversity.
Loggerhead sea turtles are not only mesmerising to watch as they glide through the water but are also essential for keeping marine environments in balance, both locally and globally.
Loggerhead sea turtles nest on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (Cape Verde and Brazil), in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Greece, Croatia), throughout the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean in small numbers, and the Pacific Ocean.
They are listed as endangered marine species in some areas by NOAA and vulnerable by IUCN.
Loggerhead turtles help regulate various marine species populations, particularly through their diet. They feed on seagrasses, jellyfish, crustaceans, and molluscs, which keep these species from overpopulating.
This feeding behaviour also promotes the health of seagrass meadows, vital ecosystems that shelter many marine animals. By maintaining these meadows, loggerheads support biodiversity, ensuring Kefalonia’s coastal waters stay thriving and vibrant.
One of the most remarkable aspects of loggerhead sea turtles is their migration. These turtles travel incredible distances across the Mediterranean and even further afield.
For instance, if born in Japan, they migrate 8,000 miles to waters off Baja California, Mexico to feed and mature. Once they reach maturity, they come back to Japan to nest.
In Greece, Kefalonia and the Bay of Kyparissia are key nesting sites for Loggerheads, as female turtles return to the island’s shores to lay their eggs. Protecting these nesting areas is crucial, as they ensure the survival of future generations of loggerhead turtles.
Like many marine animals, loggerhead sea turtles are up against numerous challenges. Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear are all ongoing threats to their survival.
Bycatch in fishing gear and coastal development are among the biggest challenges.
Despite these hurdles, conservation initiatives are making a difference. Local communities, along with environmental organisations, are actively working to protect the turtles by raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices.
Efforts on the ground include protecting nests, cleaning up beaches, and ensuring the habitats these turtles rely on remain intact. The goal is simple: to help these ancient mariners continue their journey and thrive for generations to come.
Loggerhead turtles aren’t just iconic marine animals – they’re key to the health of aquatic ecosystems. By supporting food webs and promoting the growth of essential habitats like seagrass meadows, they help maintain the ecological balance. Their presence enriches the natural beauty, offering a unique experience for visitors and nature lovers alike.
More than that, protecting these turtles represents our shared responsibility to care for the environment. The efforts we make to conserve the species ensure that our waters remain vibrant and full of life.
Protect sea turtle habitat by participating in coastal clean-ups to keep beaches where turtles nest clean. Use less plastic. Trash in the ocean can harm sea turtles that migrate.
If you’re passionate about marine conservation, there are ways to get directly involved. Join internship programs on sea turtle conservation and gap year programs focused on marine protection.
RealStep runs internship programs based in the bay of Kyparissia where you can play an active role in protecting loggerhead sea turtles. Interns are based in Giannitsochori.
Interns participate in a range of activities. They conduct daily morning surveys to record nesting activity and protect turtle nests from mammalian predation and seawater inundation. In addition, the participants of the animal caretaker internship will inform foreign visitors and the local community about the conservation of these turtles. It’s an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in marine conservation while helping to protect vulnerable marine species.
The beaches of Cape Verde Island are the main nesting grounds for Loggerhead Sea Turtles, particularly during the July to October period. Join a gap year program focused on turtle protection in Cape Verde. Those taking part in the program have many missions such as:
Data collection, patrolling the beaches, monitoring beaches during the nesting season, participating in the cleaning of the beaches, and transporting the eggs to a secure breeding centre.
RealStep offers a sea turtle protection internship in Costa Rica. Turtle research projects are on beaches during the turtle nesting season and focus on recording data from mother turtles and hatchling success. Interns also have the opportunity to enter data into relevant databases and learn more about how these data are analysed.
The Green sea turtles, largest hard-shelled sea turtles, are unique among sea turtles because they are herbivores, and this diet is what gives them their green color, and their name.
Join a gap year project by RealStep in Thailand focused on green sea turtle conservation. During this program, you will focus on various aspects of turtle protection and environmental awareness. At the centre, the turtles are raised until they reach a size where they are less exposed to the risk of predation when they are released. Missions include beach cleaning and data collection.
Sea turtles are more than just a beautiful sight in the waters. They are vital for the health and biodiversity of the marine environment. By maintaining balanced food webs, and encouraging the growth of healthy seagrass meadows, they play an essential role. As visitors and stewards of this environment, we all have a part to play in supporting conservation efforts and ensuring a sustainable future for these remarkable animals.
Learn more about endangered sea turtles through these resources:
Learn more about how you can integrate meaningful programs and projects into your career. Discover different types of internships abroad you can take in specific fields such as civil engineering.
Kemp's ridley turtles are internationally listed as critically endangered.
Because of bycatch. Also, because of loss and degradation of nesting habitats due to coastal development.
Depends on the species. Green sea turtles only eat algae and seagrasses.
Leatherback sea turtles eat soft-bodied invertebrates such as tunicates and sea squirts, while Hawksbill sea turtles eat almost only sponges.
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