PACIFIC LEATHERBACK TURTLES APPROACHING EXTINCTION ©

A CALL FOR HELP TO AVOID THIS!!!

Imagine coming eye to eye and hand to flipper with the largest marine turtle AND the largest reptile on earth. And THEN REALIZING THAT WHAT YOU SAW, TOUCHED, FILMED AND COMMUNICATED WITH --- THESE GIANT TURTLES --- ON DESERTED, REMOTE BEACHES WAS AN EXPERIENCE THAT MAY NEVER BE REPEATED OR SHARED.

This is a subsequent realization that International film maker, author and photographer, Larry McKenna (www.happycatproductions.com) encountered during two of his solo Expeditions in July and August, 2005 to the very remote beaches of Irian Jaya, Indonesia. What he observed has created a “Call to Arms” to save the largest Sea Turtle and reptile on record from extinction.

This threat of extinction is REAL, unless we, as World Citizens, rally to
IMMEDIATELY help save the specie at the Pacific nesting beaches, beginning in May, 2006.

Much is written about the terrible “by catch” slaughters of these Leatherbacks and most every other form of sea creatures by the long line fishing armadas now afloat. All of the writings, massive petitions and a United Nations resolution in November, 2005, --- ALL these actions have NOT diminished or stopped this butchery on the high seas. Rather, there are more ships in long line fleets than were capital vessels of the navies which sailed the seas during WW II (Close to 6,000 long line boats, hanging over 6 million hooks; setting each 4 times around the clock.)

That is over 24 million hooks in the Pacific each 24 hour day with one objective: Catch food fish and damn what else may be killed in the process. There are LESS than 10% of sharks and less than 5% of the Leatherbacks left in the oceans as you read this alert. IF these top of food chain creatures disappear the entire symbiotic ocean relationships vanish. They are disappearing - FAST

The Leatherbacks, sea birds and all manner of marine creatures are hooked or snagged by these dangling lines with barbed circle hooks and left to die (convenient label is “by-catch” to confuse us of what that means). The turtle is an air breather, just like us. It must surface regularly to breathe. When snagged below the surface, it drowns just like we would.

The goal of long line fishing is to rape the oceans of tuna, sword and other fish coveted, primarily, in Asian markets. The operation is a multi-BILLION $$$ activity with so much political clout that assorted Governments (including USA agencies), cower at the financial monsters who operate the ships and pay lots in “gifts” to deplete the oceans of fish, unobstructed with enforceability. The killings will continue until fish stocks are gone. Then the same killers will sit back and moan the losses.

Larry found at the largest Leatherback nesting beach in the world, situations that even more seriously threaten the survival of these turtles. He undertook a second Expedition to verify his initial findings; all supported with film and photos.

The adult nesting female population has seriously diminished by at sea and wanton killings on the beaches. The population which returns is alarmingly low; not to increase UNLESS WE step in to provide this species a future. The eggs are stolen by poachers to sell at markets (even though laws are there to prevent). NO enforcements. Wild pigs dig up the eggs as do village pigs and dogs.

Global warming with higher seas and hotter temperatures are cooking the eggs in the nests before they can hatch. Together, the beach destructions have, since 2004, decreased the hatch rate to an alarming and a NEGATIVE rate. The babies are not going to the seas in sufficient numbers to guarantee survival. The impact to the world oceans and food fishes will be catastrophic UNLESS positive and enforceable actions are introduced now. There is probably less than 2 to 3 years left before ALL Leatherbacks disappear --- GONE!!!

The remedy that WE can affect is to immediately begin activities to improve the nesting conditions and the hatching rates as they were through 2003. The hatch out rate was about 80 to 85%. In 2004 and 2005, because of the damages summarized, the rates are between 10 and 15%. FAR, FAR too low to put sufficient stocks back to the sea while the U.N. and others can grapple with the political issue of long lines.

This recovery MUST be a “People activity”. WE can, with donations and volunteer help, reverse the beach conditions and KNOW we have helped this specie survive. Help is needed RIGHT NOW!

IF you wish to know more AND become a Donor; a Sponsor; a Volunteer and help our group carry forward to correct the nesting issues, please: Examine our Web Site. www.leatherbackturtles.org Lots more data there. THEN E-Mail: saveourleathbacks@earthlink.net The survival of these “Giants of the Seas” is a global population critical issue.

YES YOU CAN HELP A GIANT TURTLE SURVIVE.

EXTINCTION IS... FOR EVER