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Calista Anderson
Mrs. DeBock
22 September 2016
English 4
Essential Question: How has human element put the sea turtle population at risk?
Working Thesis: Sea turtles have a poor long-term outlook because of threats such as ocean
pollution, beach lighting, fishing nets, and sea walls/sand dunes.
Refined Thesis: Public awareness and conservation efforts are needed in order to protect and
save sea turtles from these human caused obstacles.
Annotated Bibliography
Boschult, Christian. "Baby sea turtles left behind in nests get helping hand to the sea." Sun News,
The (Myrtle Beach, SC) 30 Aug. 2016: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 15 Sept.
2016.

This article informs on the natural obstacles that baby turtles have to overcome to make it
to the ocean such as flies, coyotes, ants, and racoons. It explains how the human element of light
is dangerous to these hatchlings because it distracts them from going to the water. This leaves
them going in the wrong direction where they can get stuck in the sand dunes or die of
exhaustion/dehydration. People who walk on the beach with LED flashlights may come across
baby turtles and if shined in their eyes, the flashlight will blind the hatchling. Once a baby turtle
is blind, it has no chance of survival. Trash left on the beach by humans adds another obstacle for
the turtles because they get stuck in it or eat the plastic which can kill them. This article is

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relevant to my research because it provides examples of the human elements that are threatening
to sea turtle hatchlings.

Moss, Teresa. "Want to protect the sea turtles? Don't use a flashlight." Island Packet, The (Hilton
Head, SC) 12 Aug. 2016: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

Baby sea turtles are instinctively drawn towards the brightest thing once they hatch, what
should be the moon. However, people walking on the beach with flashlights distract the sea
turtles from getting to the ocean. Once these turtles are distracted, following an artificial horizon,
they are more likely to get eaten by predators, die of exhaustion, or dry out. One possible
solution to this is using LED red flashlights. The hatchlings can see this red color, but are not
drawn to it. The struggle to educate people on the threats that these flashlights cause to turtles is
difficult for park rangers in the area. Homeowners of beach-front houses are asked to turn off
their outdoor lights during nesting season. This article is relevant to my research because it
identifies a human threat to sea turtle hatchlings, but also a possible solution to help lower the
casualties.

"Sea Turtle Nests Up Dramatically In Southeast." M2presswire (2013): Points of View Reference
Center. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

This article informs about the different threats that can be harmful to sea turtles such as
ocean pollution, loss of habitat to erosion, and sea-level rise. It explains how National wildlife
refuges are protecting the turtles by creating an environment for them to nest that is free of

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development, disorienting beach lighting, and seawalls. They also put cages around the nests to
protect them from predators and move the nests when necessary to prevent them from being
washed away. This article is relevant to my research because it provides examples of things that
are threatening the sea turtle population, as well as how to conserve and protect them.

"Sea Turtles At Risk As Scientists Predict More Than 50 Per Cent Are Ingesting Marine Debris."
ABC Premium News (n.d.): Points of View Reference Center. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

This article provides information about how ocean pollution affects the turtles. Trash and
debris is washing up on shores all over the world, even in the most remote places. This trash can
be ingested by sea turtles, which can kill them. For some turtles, eating just one piece of trash
can cause death. It says that scientist have predicted that more than 50% of sea turtles in the
world have ingesting trash, plastic, or debris in their lives. The article suggests that local
governments start implementing laws to keep their beaches clean of this harmful pollution. This
article is relevant to my research because it explains the effects that ocean pollution has on sea
turtles, as well as a possible conservation effort that could help reduce the amount of trash in the
ocean.

"Sea Turtles." Environmental Encyclopedia. Gale, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web.
15 Sept. 2016.

This article describes some of the natural threats that hatchling turtles already face when
trying to reach the ocean such as predators on the sand but also barracudas and other predators

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once they reach the water. Some animals, including humans, dig up or destroy the sea turtle nests
while on the beach. In the United States a new form of technology is being used to prevent sea
turtles from getting stuck in fishermens tow nets. They are cage-like devices are called Turtle
Excluder Devices (TEDs) which deflect turtles but allow fish and shellfish into the net. This
article is relevant because it provides more examples of the threats that humans pose to turtles
and also an action that is being taken to protect the turtles from drowning in fishing nets.

Zattau, Dawn. "Habitat Conservation Plan for sea turtles." Endangered Species Update 15.2
(1998): S20+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

This article provides information about the threats that having vehicles on and near the
beach pose to sea turtles. Headlights and movement of vehicles near the beach distract hatchlings
from going to the ocean. Vehicles on the beach may leave deep tracks in the sand that make a
turtles course to the ocean difficult and long, leaving them more susceptible to predators and
death by exhaustion. These vehicles could run over turtle nests and destroy them as well. A
hatchling sea turtles first instinct is to go to the brightest horizon, which may be the bright
artificial lights of beach-front homes instead of the ocean.