The threats facing marine life

The oceans are full of dangers that threaten our marine life. However, the sea turtles that have entered the recovery centre under the Palma Aquarium Foundation’s OCEMIB Project were lucky — they were discovered by people who raised the alarm. Efforts have been made to rehabilitate these individuals and contribute to the conservation of the species; however, there are countless marine animals in the sea that are equally vulnerable yet go unnoticed.

What are the threats to sea turtles?

Ghost gear entanglement: trapped in lost nets

The main threat comes from human action. We must never forget that life on Earth is sustained by the oceans and the biodiversity they support. Yet today, the oceans and marine species are in peril.

One of the main dangers for sea turtles in the Balearic Islands is getting entangled in ghost nets. One of the negative effects is that the turtles’ flippers become trapped in the net, cutting off circulation, and forcing them to drag the heavy weight of the gear as they swim.

Thanks to the satellite tracking of the turtles’ movements, researchers can monitor whether, despite having lost one or more flippers, they are able to survive in the wild. Rescued sea turtles fitted with sensors provide valuable data that can contribute to their conservation.

Pollution: another threat caused by humans 

A second issue is the ingestion of debris floating in the sea, such as labels, lollipop sticks, or pieces of plastic, some with sharp edges. These items can cause positive buoyancy in the turtles; in other words, they float on the surface due to the accumulation of gas in their intestines. In more severe cases, this debris can puncture the gastrointestinal tract or cause blockages, leading to the animal's death.

The presence of waste has a serious impact on the planet, harming the oceans and the wildlife that live in them.

The impact of sea traffic

Does the presence of boats and ships affect marine life? Serious injuries, amputations and even death are all consequences of sea turtles colliding with vessel propellers. Indeed, collisions with boats and ships are becoming increasingly common.

Climate change

The effects of climate change will have serious consequences for sea turtles.

Violent storms

Violent storms, such as hurricanes and tropical cyclones, could accelerate beach erosion rates and endanger the nesting habitats of sea turtles by raising the likelihood of nest flooding, which would reduce nesting success rates.

Changes to currents
Climate change alters ocean currents, which act as highways for migrating sea turtles. If there is a shift in these currents, the sea turtles, which traditionally return to the place where they were born, will need to adjust their migration patterns. This may force them to seek new nesting sites and times, which might not be appropriate for their survival and development.

Hotter sand
The sex of sea turtle hatchlings depends on the temperature of the sand where the eggs are laid. Climate change can lead to rising temperatures, increasing the sand's temperature and, consequently, causing a higher proportion of female hatchlings.
This species has evolved to synchronise its reproduction with those times of the year when the temperatures will produce an equal number of male and female hatchlings. If this balance is disrupted, populations could decline drastically due to a shortage of males.

Rising sea levels

As climate change melts the ice caps and warms the oceans, sea levels also rise. By the end of the 21st century, sea levels are expected to have risen between 0.18 and 0.59 metres. Even a small rise would result in a serious loss of beach nesting habitats.