MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES IN LOUISIANA
There are 5 species of sea turtles found in Louisiana waters. These include:
Green Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Kemp’s ridley
Lepidochelys kempii
Loggerhead
Caretta caretta
Hawksbill
Eretmochelys imbricate
Leatherback
Dermochelys coriacea
The two most common marine mammal species found in Louisiana waters are:
Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
West-indian manatee
Trichechus manatus
MARINE DEBRIS AND HOW IT AFFECTS MARINE LIFE
Marine Debris
What is marine debris?
One of the biggest problems our oceans face today is marine debris.
Marine debris is defined as “any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.” This is a global problem that reaches all waterways.
Plastic is the most common source of marine debris in the ocean.
Plastic never fully biodegrades instead it breaks down into smaller microscopic pieces.
What are the impacts of marine debris on marine wildlife?
Ingestion – Animals mistakenly eat plastics confusing them with food
Entanglement – Marine mammals and sea turtles can get marine debris caught around fins and flippers
Habitat damage – Marine debris can destroy sensitive habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. These habitats are critical to many animals such as sea turtles
What can you do to help?
Get involved: Participate in organized beach sweeps or pick up trash while visiting the beach
6 pack rings: Cut them up! Many marine animals especially sea turtles can get their heads and flippers stuck in these
Reduce! Recycle! Reuse!
Worldwide more than 200 species of marine wildlife are impacted by marine debris
ALL species of sea turtles eat marine debris
To learn more about marine debris, visit NOAA’s Marine Debris Program website at:
