How can you help prevent sea turtles from becoming extinct?

                 The first time I ever encountered a sea turtle in person was late in the evening taking a moonlight stroll on the beach with my little sister. As we were walking, she jumped and stopped dead in her tracks then grabbed my arm. I continued to walk pulling her with me and tried to get a better view without light. As I got closer I noticed the shimmer of the shell by the moonlight and whispered to her, "It's a sea turtle". We both dropped our jaws and stopped to marvel at this ancient mariner while she slowly made her decent into the ocean. I told her there's gotta be a nest somewhere, but we've gotta let someone know.
     I don't think I have ever experienced anything quite like it until I witnessed a mother laying her eggs on the beach. There is absolutely nothing quite like it! The stillness of the night as the waves crash along the beach and the breathing and panting of a mother hard at work as she digs her nest and lays her eggs. The smell I will also never forget! I'm sure she was a loggerhead as she was massive in size, but being at night I couldn't really tell, although I'm quite sure as they are the main turtles to nest along the coast of North Carolina.
     There are many ways for the public to get involved in turtle conservation, and if anything just by being responsible and changing a few habits can even make all the difference in the world.

•     For example tons of water bottles are found on the beach from people who leave behind their trash. Not to mention plastic bags, cans and even bottles. Although there are signs posted on the beaches about littering, and there are in fact many trash receptacles around the beach, there are still some people who leave behind their junk. If you carry a jug of water and water bottles that would save you not only money, but it would also save the beaches and our friends in the ocean as well. 
•     Also, while at the beach, be sure not to leave anything behind such as toys, clothing, or anything that can block the passing of a hatchling to the ocean. You could also fill any holes that you might have dug up while playing with your little ones as this can also be harmful to sea turtles where the hatchling or the mother might fall in before she builds her nest, or the hatchling doesn't reach the ocean. 
•      If renting a condo or beach house, keeping all outside lights off or having the lights face downwards will also help to not hinder the mother in coming ashore as he might return to the ocean and drop the eggs into the ocean instead. The artificial light can also keep the hatchlings from going in the direction of the ocean as they are guided by the light in reaching their destination. Without the direct light of the moon, they will follow any other brighter light and keep them from reaching the ocean.
•      In the event that you see a dead sea turtle you should report that to any conservation group around, or call the local coast guard about what you've seen. Most times they are close by or occasionally pass by, but you can call the local coast guard, and they will generally take care of it. 
•      When riding in a boat, jet ski, or any other watercraft, be sure to take precaution so as to not bump into any marine life, particularly sea turtles. 
• If you are a fisherman or doing some fishing take caution and check your nets more frequently to prevent from catching something other than fish, and if a sea turtle is caught, still let the marine fisheries know as although it might not seem like it's hurt, they still might end up having complications later on.

Some other ways of prevention are:

1. Use red filters on flashlights when walking the beach
2. Do not disturb nesting sea turtles
3. Keep dogs on a leash
4. Keep up to date on local conservation efforts so that you are more aware of what is going on, and please join one you like in particular
5. If able to donate to an organization of sea turtle conservation, even the most minimal will help
6. If possible found out how to volunteer and spend some time with sea turtles, it the most amazing feeling

Why are sea turtles endangered?

             These ancient ocean dwellers have roamed the seas and shores for over 150 million years, and were around even before the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs ruled the earth!

     You may be aware of some of the dangers sea turtles face such as getting caught in fishing nets, or eating debris and trash left on the beach that gets washed into the ocean, but did you know that artificial light can impact sea turtles as well? The major threats sea turtles face in survival is human activity such as the loss of their nesting habitat due to coastal development, fishing gear drownings, hit by boats and jet ski's, disturbance of nesting beaches such as beach lighting, trash and debris left overnight on the beaches, nighttime activity,pollution and debris in the ocean, the harvesting of turtle eggs and adults for human consumption, and commercial goods.
     We may not be able to stop or control all of these things, but as human beings we have an obligation to at least do as much as we can to prevent, assist and lower their risks of survival. We are the only ones who can help these majestic creatures continue in existence for future generations to marvel and wonder about.
     It is also crucial to protect and preserve fish, wildlife and plants as it will only benefit us and our home planet as the Endangered Species Act, (ESA), "these species are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, scientific value to the nation and its people."
     There are seven species of the sea turtles, of those, six are either threatened or on the endangered species list. Even so, all seven species have been pushed to the brink of extinction, and today are still struggling to make a complete comeback. The most common sea turtle found in the U.S. is the loggerhead, and it's main nesting colonies are along the atlantic coast, from Florida up through North and South Carolina and on Masirah Island, Oman. The leatherback is a worldwide traveler, but its populations are extremely endangered.
     Since 1980 it has suffered a 95% decline and continues to face imminent dangers. One of the largest known sea turtles was a male leatherback weighing in at 2000 pounds and stretching to 9.5 feet long. It is also the only sea turtle without a shell and it's armor is a leathery scaleless skin made of tough oil-saturated tissue raised into seven prominent ridges, hence it's name, leatherback.
     The green sea turtles, which might also be called the black sea turtles are the most widespread of the species where they can be found in 139 different countries, found around North and South American, Europe, Asia and Africa. A funny fact is that as adults they are herbivores and their diets include algae and sea grasses, but as young sea turtles they are omnivores.
     The Kemp's ridley and Olive ridley are the smallest of the sea turtles and can weigh between 70 and 108 pounds respectively. Olive ridley's nest along the pacific, indian, and atlantic ocean, and are listed as being in danger of extinction. The Kemp's ridley is the only sea turtle with the unfortunate title of most endangered of all the sea turtles with only 2,500 nesting females left in the world. The adults generally only roam the gulf of Mexico while juveniles might roam all the way up through the east coast as far as New England and Nova Scotia. It's only nesting areas are the beaches of South Padre Island, and Nuevo Rancho, Mexico, which was unknown until the 1960's. Despite conservation efforts from Mexico and the U.S. the population continued to decline. We are now experiencing, after decades of conservation efforts, their numbers slowly begin to increase, but are still considered the most endangered species of sea turtles.
     The hawksbill sea turtle is also considered one of the smallest and can weigh 101 and 154 pounds. It gets its name from its narrow head and jaw shaped like a beak, which allows it to get from from crevices in coral reefs. Considered one of the most beautiful sea turtles, its shell has been harvested since Egyptian times for a style referred to as "tortoiseshell" because of the pattern on its shell. Despite conservation efforts and international protection status, they are still hunted for their shells and their eggs are still eaten in other parts of the world.