The Leatherback Turtle

The leatherback turtle (scientific name dermochelys coriacea) is a subspecies of sea turtle that inhabits the coral reefs and sea grass beds of the Galapagos, the Coral Triangle, the Mesoamerican Reef, the Gulf of California, and Coastal East Africa. It can weigh between 600 and 1,500 pounds and grow between 55 and 63 inches long. As such, it is the largest subspecies of sea turtle. It is also one of the most migratory subspecies of sea turtle, as it crosses both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In fact, every summer and fall, its population in the Pacific Ocean migrates from its nesting beaches in the Coral Triangle to the coast of California in order feed on the abundant supply of jellyfish there. It is named for its shell which, unlike the rock-like shells of other subspecies of sea turtle, is leather-like.

The leatherback turtle is classified as a Critically Endangered species. It is this close to becoming extinct for three reasons. The first reason is that it gets caught on longline hooks and in fishing gillnets and shrimp trawl nets alike. Because of this, one of the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF's) efforts to save it consists of advocating for the use of devices that would prevent it from getting entangled in gillnets and trawl nets and working with fisheries to switch to fishing hooks that it would not get caught on. The second reason is that much of its nesting beaches have been disturbed and destroyed by rising sea levels and various destructive human activities, and much of its feeding grounds have been damaged and destroyed by some of these same destructive human activities. Because of this, another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of equipping conservationists of it, supporting the patrolling of its nesting beaches, and establishing areas where it will be able to nest, feed, and migrate safely. The third reason is that its eggs are collected from many of its nesting beaches to be sold into the illegal wildlife trade. Because of this, yet another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of reducing the consumption of it and its eggs, training and equipping rangers to protect it from poaching, and supporting the efforts of communities in the Coral Triangle to protect its nesting beaches. All of this is being done for three reasons. The first reason is that it is a fundamental link in marine ecosystems. The second reason is that it keeps the jellyfish population in check by consuming large numbers of jellyfish. The third reason is that it provides coastal communities, especially those in the Coral Triangle, with a vital source of income, as it is a draw for ecotourism.

Source for picture and all information: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/leatherback-turtle