Every creation in nature has its own role to play to have a perfect ecological balance, and this very fact makes it important for us to preserve any endangered species on earth. One such species is the Sea Turtles which have only seven surviving species found worldwide. Once in water, the sea turtle disappears in the depth of oceans making it even impossible to track it.

Apart from the targeted harvesting for consumption and shell trading, and occasional accidental trap in the fishing nets, Sea Turtles face habitat destruction due to climatic changes, increased pollution, oil spills and most importantly by the thoughtless coastal developments and other human activities. They are considered as one among the ancient creatures on earth which strikes the balance in favour of a healthy marine life and the equally important dune vegetation in many ways. It is alarming to see that the population of these surviving species is reducing at a fast rate.

Mostly it takes about thirty years for the female ones to attain reproductive maturity. The adult female comes to the sandy shore for laying eggs, to the very same shore where she was born. This character reminds the human nature, to return to their native, once in a while, with a nostalgic feel. After burying the clutch of eggs at the shore, the mother turtle returns. Interestingly the whole batch of eggs hatches together during night hours by which the left alone younger ones are given nature’s protection from birds and other dangers. As and when the eggs hatch out and reach the surface from the hatching sandy pit, the younger ones automatically crawl towards sea. Then, the history repeats; males will never look back and females will return, taking their turn of nesting, after 30 long years. This is time when researchers have a closer look on the behavior pattern of sea turtle.

Sea Turtles make long migrations travelling miles between their feeding and nesting place. Basically all the species survive on water plants and animals like jellyfish, seaweed, algae etc., except the green ones. Through feeding themselves they are in the process of cleaning the sponges on corals reefs thereby allowing corals to grow. Green turtles change their feeding behavior from infant to adult as omnivorous to herbivorous, feeding on sea grass. This, in turn, regulates the growth of sea grass at the bed which acts as the breeding ground of many other human harvested treasures of sea, which takes major portion on the food chain. The remnants and the unhatched eggs serve the nutrients for dune vegetation preventing erosions and maintain the shoreline.

Imbibing the importance of safeguarding such an important element in a healthy marine ecosystem, efforts are made across the globe to revive the marine turtle population by creating and maintaining a favorable habitat for them to breed and feed. Strict prohibitions are made by law in many countries for not dumping pollutants in sea and shores. The conservation initiative by the researchers and nature lovers includes educational programs to make the world aware of the significance of turtles and the importance of preserving their nesting beaches.

Kuwait waters are having spectacular coral reef collection at offshore islands like Garo and Um Al Maradim guaranteeing a good underwater ecosystem. The presence of the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle is an inevitable factor to keep these treasures intact. Similar is the case with Green turtles to have a healthy and prosperous other marine life. These offshore islands are spotted with turtle species, yearlong, especially Hawksbill and Green turtles, with feeding and nesting. Marine Turtle Conservation Project uses satellite tracking to monitor the route of this highly drifting species to track their feeding and nesting grounds. Efforts are made by the turtle conservation team to protect the sea and nesting shores by increasing public awareness, especially among fishermen.

Recently, under the patronage of the Director General Dr.Naji Al Mutairi, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research hosted the first workshop on marine turtle conservation in gulf region where the experts from different part of the world participated. The emphasis was given on the various conservation activities, the threats faced, the need for conservation, importance of environment education and awareness and the need for an international co-operation in this regard.

With an average lifespan of several decades sea turtles spend their life time under water with a major role to perform for the survival of oceans. Though mysterious, their presence is inevitable in our ecosystem. It is our joint responsibility to save such endangered species for a better environment and better world to live in.