As part of celebrating World Turtle Day, Canareef Resort Maldives organized a very important marine conservation awareness talk yesterday evening at the resort's Dhoaraa Bar. The talk attracted an enthusiastic audience comprised of guests and resort staff interested in learning about conserving the unique marine ecosystems around the island. The island is situated within the very biodiverse Addu Atoll which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Canareef Resort rests on top of one of the most important sea turtle habitats in the Indian Ocean region. With over 1,200 species of marine life in the clear waters, the island plays host to two very unique creatures that live in the area. They are the endangered Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
During the talk, it was revealed how the two turtles play fundamentally different but very important roles in their habitat on the same reef:
One of the significant grazers in the ocean, Green Turtles, is responsible for maintaining healthy seagrass beds. Grazing encourages the proliferation of more seagrasses in the ocean, which in turn absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while providing a natural nursery for juvenile fish. In absence of such species, this important habitat can get affected. Hawksbill turtles have unique characteristics with pointed snouts. They mostly rely on sea sponges as their food source. Hawksbill turtles prevent sea sponges, which grow very fast and threaten coral reef habitats, from dominating over other species and blocking the way for the growth of new corals. Some of the threats to sea turtle species, including plastic pollution, fishing gear bycatches, and light pollution, were also discussed during the presentation. The authorities made sure that each guest was aware of the fact that sea turtles have been inhabiting our oceans for over 100 million years and that too before the existence of Maldives. Their survival entirely depends upon us now.
Canareef Resort presented some tips on how every attendee could play his/her role in conserving these beautiful creatures.
Another example of a grazer in the ocean is Green Turtles. These species are known to keep seagrass beds healthy. Grazing helps to encourage seagrass beds to flourish as they not only help in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but also act as nurseries for young fish. Without the presence of such species, there would be a threat to the health of seagrass beds.
Some distinctive features of Hawksbill turtles include a pointed snout. Their main source of food is sea sponges. Such species make sure that other species do not get dominated by sea sponges because they grow quickly and pose a threat to coral reefs. There were some threats to sea turtles that were also discussed in the presentation. For instance, some of these threats include plastic pollution, fishing gear by-catch, and light pollution. The authorities made sure that everyone knew the fact that sea turtles have existed in our oceans for over 100 million years, even before the existence of Maldives. Moreover, it was made sure that guests understood the point that their survival now depends upon us. Some useful tips to conserve these creatures were given by Canareef Resort.
