Each Species Plays a Role

Leatherback Sea Turtles

Leatherback turtles serve to control the
jellyfish population. The absence of these turtles
will cause the jellyfish population to increase
sharply and this causes a reduction in fish
stocks, as the jellyfish will eat the fish eggs
and affect the fish supply.

Hawksbill Sea Turtles

Hawksbill turtles serve to eat the crown of
thorns starfish and sponges that are commonly
found in coral reef ecosystems. The absence
of these turtles would cause the number of coral
reef to dwindle, affecting the provisions of food
for fish as well.

Green Sea Turtles

Green turtles grazes on sea grass and this
prevents the sea grass bed from overgrowing
and keep them healthy. Sea grass is important
as it’s a place for the young fish to take refuge.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Olive ridley turtles feed on invertebrates such
as crabs, shrimps, jellyfish and tunicate. They
control the number of the invertebrates and
keep them from overpopulating.

Source of information: “Protecting Malaysian turtles, one step at a time” by Hishamudin Abd Manap from Bernama

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“How can Chennai protect Olive Ridley turtles?” by T D Babu from Citizen Matters