Sea Turtle Poaching (Primary)
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Overfishing is emptying the ocean, with 90% of fisheries already overfished. Illegal poaching is having a big impact on species like sea turtles. This lesson focuses on sea turtle poaching.
Instructions
This lesson focuses on one of the main reasons why sea turtles are endangered – poaching.
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Instructions
Worksheets
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Sea turtle poaching is one area Sea Shepherd is working on to help stop sea turtles becoming extinct.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
This lesson focuses on one of the main reasons why sea turtles are endangered – poaching.
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
Slide 4 - Video
Empty ocean by 2050
Scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting on the oceans and marine wildlife.
Show this video (2.53min), which explains how important all species are to our planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcA31VRlRU
Discuss the video with the class and what it means.
Scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting on the oceans and marine wildlife.
Show this video (2.53min), which explains how important all species are to our planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcA31VRlRU
Discuss the video with the class and what it means.
Slide 5 - Slide
Sea turtles
Sea turtles as a species have existed since the time of the dinosaurs, with the current species of sea turtles starting to appear over 100 million years ago.
Sea turtles as a species have existed since the time of the dinosaurs, with the current species of sea turtles starting to appear over 100 million years ago.
Slide 6 - Slide
Sea turtle species
There are 7 main sea turtle species.
Ask students to name the sea turtle species they know?
There are 7 main sea turtle species.
Ask students to name the sea turtle species they know?
Hawksbill
Green
Loggerhead
Leatherack
Slide 7 - Drag question
Match the images
Using www.LessonUp.app ask students to match the image of the sea turtle to its name.
Using www.LessonUp.app ask students to match the image of the sea turtle to its name.
Slide 8 - Slide
Hawsbill and Olive Ridley
The 7 species of sea turtles are:
Hawksbill
➢ Weight up to 70kg (154pounds) 90cm (3 feet).
➢ Hawks beak, which allows them to get food from coral reefs.
➢ 2 claws on front flippers.
Olive Ridley
➢ 70 cm (2.5 feet) 45kg(100pounds).
➢ Olive green shell colour.
➢ Front and rear flippers have a claw.
The 7 species of sea turtles are:
Hawksbill
➢ Weight up to 70kg (154pounds) 90cm (3 feet).
➢ Hawks beak, which allows them to get food from coral reefs.
➢ 2 claws on front flippers.
Olive Ridley
➢ 70 cm (2.5 feet) 45kg(100pounds).
➢ Olive green shell colour.
➢ Front and rear flippers have a claw.
Slide 9 - Slide
Kemp Ridley and Green
Kemp Ridley
➢ 66 cm (2feet) 50 kg (110 pounds).
➢ Dark green shell, while underside is white or yellowish.
Green
➢ Grow to 1.1m (4 feet) long and up to 190kg (420 pounds).
➢ Brown to olive shell, but have green skin.
Kemp Ridley
➢ 66 cm (2feet) 50 kg (110 pounds).
➢ Dark green shell, while underside is white or yellowish.
Green
➢ Grow to 1.1m (4 feet) long and up to 190kg (420 pounds).
➢ Brown to olive shell, but have green skin.
Slide 10 - Slide
Loggerhead, Leatherback and Flatback sea turtles
Loggerhead
➢ 110 cm (3.5 feet) 170kg (375 pounds).
➢ Large head, reddish brown shell.
Leatherback
➢ thin layer of tough skin over shell that gives it the appearance of leather.
➢ 183cm (6 feet) 500kg (1,100 pounds).
Flatback
➢ Shell is flat compared to other sea turtles.
➢ 99cm (3.25 feet) and 90kg (198 pounds).
Loggerhead
➢ 110 cm (3.5 feet) 170kg (375 pounds).
➢ Large head, reddish brown shell.
Leatherback
➢ thin layer of tough skin over shell that gives it the appearance of leather.
➢ 183cm (6 feet) 500kg (1,100 pounds).
Flatback
➢ Shell is flat compared to other sea turtles.
➢ 99cm (3.25 feet) and 90kg (198 pounds).
Slide 11 - Slide
Sea turtle facts
Ask students to identify the facts they know about sea turtles, or do an in class research project to find answers:
➢ What are the shells made of?
➢ Does the head retract into shell?
➢ How long can they dive for?
➢ How long do they live?
➢ What do they eat?
➢ How do they breathe?
Ask students to identify the facts they know about sea turtles, or do an in class research project to find answers:
➢ What are the shells made of?
➢ Does the head retract into shell?
➢ How long can they dive for?
➢ How long do they live?
➢ What do they eat?
➢ How do they breathe?
Slide 12 - Slide
Facing extinction
Endangered status of sea turtles.
6 of the 7 species are currently endangered or critically endangered.
• Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley - critically endangered.
• Green and Loggerhead – endangered.
• Leatherback and Olive Ridley – vulnerable.
• Flatback turtles are the only ones not currently listed as endangered, but are listed as endangered in Australia.
Endangered status of sea turtles.
6 of the 7 species are currently endangered or critically endangered.
• Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley - critically endangered.
• Green and Loggerhead – endangered.
• Leatherback and Olive Ridley – vulnerable.
• Flatback turtles are the only ones not currently listed as endangered, but are listed as endangered in Australia.
What do you think are the
main reasons why sea turtles
are endangered?
main reasons why sea turtles
are endangered?
Slide 13 - Mind map
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“What do you think are the main reasons why sea turtles are endangered?”
“What do you think are the main reasons why sea turtles are endangered?”
Slide 14 - Slide
Why sea turtles are endangered
There are a number of issues impacting on sea turtles.
These include:
➢ Plastic pollution
➢ Oil spills
➢ Coastal development impacting nesting
➢ Costal development taking away habitat and food.
➢ Climate change.
➢ Entanglement in ALD fishing gear
➢ Bycatch by commercial fishing
➢ Poaching
Today we will be focusing on poaching.
There are a number of issues impacting on sea turtles.
These include:
➢ Plastic pollution
➢ Oil spills
➢ Coastal development impacting nesting
➢ Costal development taking away habitat and food.
➢ Climate change.
➢ Entanglement in ALD fishing gear
➢ Bycatch by commercial fishing
➢ Poaching
Today we will be focusing on poaching.
Why do you think sea turtles
are taken by poachers?
are taken by poachers?
Slide 15 - Open question
Sea turtle poaching
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
Why do you think sea turtles are widely taken by poachers?
(What do they use them for?)
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
Why do you think sea turtles are widely taken by poachers?
(What do they use them for?)
Slide 16 - Slide
Sea turtle poaching
The main reasons for sea turtle poaching are:
➢ Turtle meat.
➢ Eggs taken for food.
➢ Shells – used to make ornaments and jewellery, often for tourists.
The main reasons for sea turtle poaching are:
➢ Turtle meat.
➢ Eggs taken for food.
➢ Shells – used to make ornaments and jewellery, often for tourists.
Slide 17 - Slide
Nesting sea turtles
Female turtles come ashore for nesting season, where they lay their eggs on beaches.
Sea turtles are slow moving and spend time digging a nest and laying eggs, then bury the eggs before heading back to sea.
Poachers can wait until the eggs are laid and then kill the turtle.
Female turtles come ashore for nesting season, where they lay their eggs on beaches.
Sea turtles are slow moving and spend time digging a nest and laying eggs, then bury the eggs before heading back to sea.
Poachers can wait until the eggs are laid and then kill the turtle.
How do you think poachers know where
and when to find sea turtles?
Slide 18 - Open question
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“How do you think poachers know where and when to find sea turtles?
“How do you think poachers know where and when to find sea turtles?
Slide 19 - Slide
Nesting sea turtles
Female turtles will use the same beaches to nest on, often where they were born.
Nesting season is also a regular occurrence, so poachers come to know what time of year to watch for sea turtles and the beaches to monitor.
Female turtles will use the same beaches to nest on, often where they were born.
Nesting season is also a regular occurrence, so poachers come to know what time of year to watch for sea turtles and the beaches to monitor.
Slide 20 - Slide
Increasing risk of extinction
Poachers are increasing the risk of turtles becoming extinct by only taking female turtles that are reproducing, laying eggs.
They also often take the eggs – killing the next generation of sea turtles.
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles survive from the eggs hatched to adulthood.
Poachers are increasing the risk of turtles becoming extinct by only taking female turtles that are reproducing, laying eggs.
They also often take the eggs – killing the next generation of sea turtles.
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles survive from the eggs hatched to adulthood.
Slide 21 - Slide
Where are sea turtles hunted?
Sea turtles are hunted in many places around the world.
Sea Shepherd runs campaigns to protect sea turtles. These have been in: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mayotte, Italy, Honduras, Florida (USA), Barbuda, Antigua and Cabo Verde.
Sea Shepherd Case Studies provide additional learning on some of these locations.
Sea turtles are hunted in many places around the world.
Sea Shepherd runs campaigns to protect sea turtles. These have been in: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mayotte, Italy, Honduras, Florida (USA), Barbuda, Antigua and Cabo Verde.
Sea Shepherd Case Studies provide additional learning on some of these locations.
Slide 22 - Slide
Protecting sea turtles
How can we protect sea turtles from poachers?
International laws say it is illegal to carry sea turtle parts or products between countries. Thus most poaching is for local purposes only.
CITES - Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, requires that countries who have signed up to CITES must prohibit any trade in sea turtles or anything made from them.
Individual countries may also have their own laws to protect sea turtles.
How can we protect sea turtles from poachers?
International laws say it is illegal to carry sea turtle parts or products between countries. Thus most poaching is for local purposes only.
CITES - Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, requires that countries who have signed up to CITES must prohibit any trade in sea turtles or anything made from them.
Individual countries may also have their own laws to protect sea turtles.
Slide 23 - Slide
Patrolling beaches
Conservation groups, like Sea Shepherd and local activists, patrol beaches to protect nesting turtles from poachers.
In high risk areas sea turtle eggs are removed from the nest and are taken to hatcheries where they can be kept safe until they hatch and can then be returned to the ocean.
Conservation groups, like Sea Shepherd and local activists, patrol beaches to protect nesting turtles from poachers.
In high risk areas sea turtle eggs are removed from the nest and are taken to hatcheries where they can be kept safe until they hatch and can then be returned to the ocean.
How do you think you can
help protect sea turtles?
help protect sea turtles?
Slide 24 - Mind map
How do you think you can help protect sea turtles
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“How do you think you can help protect sea turtles?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“How do you think you can help protect sea turtles?”
Slide 25 - Slide
How do you think you can help protect sea turtles?
Some ways you can help include:
➢ Help stop the use of turtle eggs and meat by spreading awareness.
➢ Never purchase products made from turtle shells.
➢ Do not disturb nesting turtles, nests or hatchlings.
Some ways you can help include:
➢ Help stop the use of turtle eggs and meat by spreading awareness.
➢ Never purchase products made from turtle shells.
➢ Do not disturb nesting turtles, nests or hatchlings.
Slide 26 - Slide
How do you think you can help protect sea turtles?
Some ways you can help include:
➢ If visiting nesting beaches ensure you remove your beach equipment. Eg. Beach chairs, umbrellas and children’s toys, so turtles can come ashore and hatchlings find their way to the ocean.
➢ Be sure to knock down sandcastles before you leave because they become obstacles for nesting turtles or new hatchlings.
➢ Don’t drive on nesting beaches, so as not to destroy eggs.
Some ways you can help include:
➢ If visiting nesting beaches ensure you remove your beach equipment. Eg. Beach chairs, umbrellas and children’s toys, so turtles can come ashore and hatchlings find their way to the ocean.
➢ Be sure to knock down sandcastles before you leave because they become obstacles for nesting turtles or new hatchlings.
➢ Don’t drive on nesting beaches, so as not to destroy eggs.
Write down three things you have learned?
Slide 27 - Open question
What did you learn?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Write down one thing you didn't understand?
Slide 28 - Open question
What don’t you understand?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Slide 29 - Slide
Case studies
To enhance learning on this issue use some of the Sea Shepherd Case Studies on this topic, showing first hand accounts of what is happening to sea turtles.
To enhance learning on this issue use some of the Sea Shepherd Case Studies on this topic, showing first hand accounts of what is happening to sea turtles.
Slide 30 - Slide
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