The Pearl Protectors recently organized “Turtle Talk 2” to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day on June 18, 2023. The event took place from 3pm to 5pm at the popular beach restaurant, “Pink Salt,” in Dehiwala. The audience consisted of passionate sea turtle enthusiasts. The Pearl Protectors is a youth-led volunteer organization dedicated to marine conservation. Their primary focus is on reducing plastic pollution and preserving the marine environment. They are committed to raising awareness about the fragility and beauty of marine ecosystems.
Turtle Talk 2 provided an opportunity to delve into the world of sea turtles. The event covered various aspects such as sea turtle anatomy, different species, and the threats they face. The discussions were detailed and engaging, offering insights into sea turtle conservation methods.
The event also featured a fun quiz and interactive activities to enhance understanding and knowledge of sea turtle conservation.
The informative session at Turtle Talk 2 commenced by highlighting the different species of sea turtles that inhabit the world’s oceans and visit Sri Lankan beaches. The audience learned about the laws in place to protect sea turtles and the various ex-situ and in-situ conservation methods employed.
Additionally, the session shed light on the numerous threats faced by sea turtles due to human activities, including entanglement in fishing nets, ghost nets, and plastic debris floating in the sea. Shalanka Ranjula, the TransBML Project Lead, delivered the first presentation, providing a detailed explanation of sea turtle anatomy. The audience had the opportunity to engage in a lively Q&A session with the speaker.
Maleesha Gunawardana, the Advocacy Lead, raised awareness about the specific threats sea turtles face, especially in light of the recent X-Press Pearl shipping disaster and plastic pollution. Maleesha emphasized the need for stronger protection measures for sea turtles in coastal regions, as the current legal framework is somewhat limited.
She highlighted the issue of privately-run sea turtle hatcheries in Sri Lanka, which are considered illegal under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance. These hatcheries house adult sea turtles in overcrowded cement tanks, operating without proper expertise, monitoring, or regulations. Maleesha concluded her presentation by urging for more effective measures to protect sea turtles.
The final segment of “Turtle Talk 2” was led by Lenin De Silva, the Research Lead. He educated the audience on sea turtle health, necropsies, and accident management through an informative slideshow. His presentation provided valuable insights into understanding the well-being of sea turtles and the necessary steps to address injuries and fatalities.
Sri Lanka is fortunate to witness the nesting of five out of the seven sea turtle species. These turtles exhibit a remarkable genetic adaptation, returning to the same shores where they were born to lay their eggs.
However, these nesting turtles face significant challenges such as poaching for meat and shell, egg theft for consumption and sale to tourists, and the impact of plastic and light pollution. Turtle Talk 2 shed light on these serious issues faced by sea turtles on Sri Lankan beaches.
The Pearl Protectors play a crucial role in safeguarding sea turtle eggs. They organize nightly beach patrols in Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, and Wellawatta, working closely with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard officials to ensure the safe relocation of eggs to secure locations.
The dedicated volunteers of The Pearl Protectors patrol these beaches, providing security and safety for turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs.
Overall, Turtle Talk 2 provided an engaging and informative platform for sea turtle enthusiasts to learn more about these magnificent creatures and the challenges they face.
The event served as a reminder of the importance of marine conservation and the need for concerted efforts to protect sea turtles and their habitats.
For more information on The Pearl Protectors and the work it does, visit the website: https://pearlprotectors.org/
Nelum Buddhadasa / Thushi Perera