Dive into Ghana's crucial mission of safeguarding sea turtles with this enlightening PowerPoint presentation. Explore the intricate web of challenges these magnificent creatures face and discover their pivotal role in maintaining marine ecosystems. From the impact of climate change to the threats posed by human activities, each slide unveils a facet of the journey toward conservation. Gain insights into ongoing initiatives, community involvement, and innovative approaches to ensure a harmonious coexistence between humans and sea turtles. Together, let's embark on a visual journey to understand the importance of protecting these ancient mariners and fostering a sustainable future for Ghana's coastal biodiversity.

1. BY: EUNICE OSEI-YEBOAH
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2. 01
07
06
08
Introduction
OUTLINE
Sea Turtle Species
References
Conclusion
Importance of Sea Turtles
Threats to Sea Turtles in Ghana
Conservation Efforts
Summary
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3. Introduction
Turtles
-among the smallest vertebrate groups
-among the most endangered (Thomson, 2021).
Two main categories
- Terrestrial
- Aquatic (Sea turtles)
https://reflectionriding.org/nature-center-news-updates/box-turtle-
conservation
Gulf Coast Sea Turtles | Outdoor Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida
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4. Sea Turtle Species
Marine reptiles
distinctive, streamlined bodies and
large flippers
Seven species
Unique characteristics and
distribution
Five are the most common in
Ghana (Agyekumhene et al., 2021)
Loggerhead Turtle | NOAA Fisheries Green Turtle | NOAA Fisheries
Kemp's Ridley Turtle | NOAA Fisheries
Hawksbill Turtle | NOAA Fisheries Olive Ridley Turtle | NOAA Fisheries
Flatback Turtles | Sea Turtle Species
Leatherback Turtle | NOAA Fisheries
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5. The Importance of Sea Turtles (1/3)
Why are sea turtles a
major concern?
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6. The Importance of Sea Turtles (2/3)
Carbon Sequestration
• Healthy seagrass beds
-carbon sinks
• Grazing impact
• Carbon storage
Balancing Ecosystems
• Predator control
-overpopulation of jellyfish
(Veríssimo et al., 2012).
Beach Nutrient Recycling
• After nesting
-decomposition (eggshells and unhatched eggs)
-provide nutrients (Lovich et al., 2018)
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7. The Importance of Sea Turtles (3/3)
Tourism and Local Economies
• Major attraction for eco-tourism
• Economic benefits to
communities
Ecosystem Health Indicators
• Population is dependent on
-environmental factors
-pollution
• Monitoring population
-insights into the environmental state
Sea turtle hatchery in New Ningo Prampram
Scientific Research
• Behavior, migration and health
patterns
-scientific data
-valuable insights
-conservation efforts
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8. Threats to Sea Turtles (1/3)
Sea turtles face numerous threats
-endanger their survival
-population health
Threats can be both
-natural
-human-induced (Agyekumhene et al., 2021)
Sea turtles are vulnerable at all stages
-conservation-dependent marine species
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9. Threats to Sea Turtles (2/3)
Habitat Loss and Degradation
• Construction
-resorts, ports, etc.
-disrupt nesting activities
-foraging grounds
Threats to Sea Turtles - Olive Ridley
Project
Beachfront Lighting (widecast.org)
Pollution
Sea Turtle Eat Plastic Bag Ocean Pollution Concept Stock Photo -
Omnivorous Turtles More Likely To Consume Marine Debris
(asianscientist.com)
Light Pollution
• Artificial lighting
-near nesting beaches
-disorients hatchlings
-nesting females
• Movement away from sea
-vulnerable to predation
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10. Threats to Sea Turtles (3/3)
Overfishing
• Serious problem
• Intensifies bycatch
-as fishing efforts ↑
-gears are deployed
• Capture of untargeted spp.
World Sea Turtle Day 2022: Here are 10 ways in
which we can prevent them from becoming
bycatch (downtoearth.org.in)
Global Warming: The Impacts
of Rising Sea Water
Temperature (aquaread.com)
Sea Turtle Consumption — SEE Turtles
International Law - Subjects, Course
details and Career
(lloydlawcollege.edu.in)
Illegal Poaching
• >1000000 were illegally killed
-between 1990 and 2020 (Abderrahmane,2023)
• Poaching of eggs
-can deplete nesting pop.
Inadequate Legal Protection and
Enforcement
• Laws exist
-Wildlife Conservation
Regulations, 1971, L.I.685
• Lack of implementation
Rising Temperature
• Climate change
-rising sea temp.
-can affect sex ratio
• Skewed gender ratio
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11. Conservation Efforts
How we define a problem
often determines what
we are willing to consider
as solution
Communities
Government
Individuals
NGOs
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12. Government
Policy Development and Enforcement
• Create and enforce regulations
-establishment of marine protected areas
-restrictions on fishing practices
-penalties for illegal trade
Monitoring and Research Support
• Resources for research
-monitoring population
-migration patterns
Impact of human activities
Collaboration with NGOs
• Enhance the government’s ability
-to implement effective measures
• Partnership can include;
-sharing data
-resources
-expertise
International Collaboration
• Collaboration
-neighboring countries
-International organizations
• Develop and implement strategies
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13. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Research and Monitoring
• More research is needed
-to help develop strategies
• Implement conservation programs
-aimed at protecting turtles
-raising awareness
Advocacy and Policy Influence
• Development and implementation
• Collaboration with government
-to strengthen regulations
-create new regulations
Community Engagement
• Develop sustainable practices
-education programs
-training
-support for alternative livelihoods
A Look at the Different Types of NGOs | by Gokul ambat | Medium
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14. Individuals
Participation in Community Initiatives
• Conservation initiatives
-beach clean-ups
-awareness campaigns
Responsible Tourism
• Support eco-friendly tourism operators
-safe distance from turtles
-disturbance of nesting sites
-purchasing turtle products
Educational Initiatives
• Self and other
-importance of sea turtles
• Responsible behaviors
• Support for conservation efforts
(3) What is the need of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities? -
Quora 14

15. Summary
Safeguarding sea turtles is imperative for a sustainable future
They play vital role
• Ecological balance
• Contribute to biodiversity
They face numerous threats
• Pollution, bycatch, illegal poaching etc.
The need for collaborative efforts
• For sea turtles to thrive
• For a healthy and resilient coastal environment
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16. Conclusion
Safeguarding sea turtles in Ghana is pivotal for ecological balance and
biodiversity.
By fostering collaboration and raising awareness
• we can collectively ensure the success of conservation efforts
• paving the way for a sustainable and harmonious future
-for both sea turtles and the marine ecosystems.
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17. References
Agyekumhene, A., Yankson, P., Stemle, L., & Allman, P. (2021). Sea Turtle Nesting Activity in Ghana, West Africa. Chelonian
Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World's Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 20(2), 273-280.
Lovich, J. E., Ennen, J. R., Agha, M., & Gibbons, J. W. (2018). Where have all the turtles gone, and why does it
matter?. BioScience, 68(10), 771-781.
Mazaris, A. D., Schofield, G., Gkazinou, C., Almpanidou, V., & Hays, G. C. (2017). Global sea turtle conservation
successes. Science advances, 3(9), e1600730.
Thomson, S. A. (2021). Turtles of the world: annotated checklist and atlas of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, and
conservation status. Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology, 20(2), 225-228.
Veríssimo, D., Jones, D. A., Chaverri, R., & Meyer, S. R. (2012). Jaguar Panthera onca predation of marine turtles: conflict
between flagship species in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Oryx, 46(3), 340-347.
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