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Andersen protects sea turtles, helps endangered species

  • Published
  • By Airman Carissa Wolff
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Andersen Air Force Base is well known in the Pacific for its humanitarian stewardship, but the base also plays a vital role in protecting threatened species, the green sea turtle.
Andersen has become a safe haven protecting the turtles from natural and manmade threats.

The 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight's Marine Patrol Conservation Volunteer Program is among the organizations on base that identify threats and take action before those threats endanger the wildlife.

One of the program's goals is to ensure the turtles and their hatchlings have the best possible chance for survival, according to Jezzica de la Peña, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron natural resource programs coordinator.

"We have a couple of things we do to make sure the nests have the best conditions for a successful hatching," Ms. de la Peña said. "We conduct feral animal control, apply nest protection with four-by-four foot metal grids, perform beach clean ups to remove debris and trash and assist the [Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources] to collect data to assess the success and mortality rates of the green sea turtle on Guam."

The green sea turtle, whose scientific name is chelonia mydas, is federally classified as a threatened species but is an endangered species on Guam.

Also known as "haggan" in Chamorro, green sea turtles frequent Guam's shallow reef areas to feed on marine algae and sea grass. The turtles can reach four feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds when they reach maturity.

Team Andersen hosts the sea turtles on its coast from April to August every year in the hopes of bolstering the numbers of the species.

Currently, three adult female sea turtles are using Andersen's coastline as a breeding ground and have eggs spread among seven nests. Andersen's Marine Patrol Conservation Volunteer Program is working tirelessly to ensure the turtles and their nests are protected.

Historically on Guam, the sea turtles were hunted for food, according to Shawn Wusstig, DAWR Guam Sea Turtle Program coordinator.

"According to historical data, green sea turtles have nested in the Andersen coast since the pre-Latte days around 1550 B.C.," Mr. Wusstig said. "Turtle meat and turtle eggs were once prized food sources on Guam. The shells were used for decorative purposes."

He said laws have since changed to protect the species. In August 1978, the haggan was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

"Presently it is illegal to capture, harass, possess, buy, sell, or transport the green sea turtles or any part thereof including but not limited to eggs, shells, shell jewelry and meat," Mr. Wusstig said.

While poaching turtles is not as prevalent a threat as it once was, other factors threaten green sea turtles throughout their lives, no matter their location.

"Trash can get incorporated into nests and can contribute to the mortality of hatchlings for several reasons," Ms. de la Peña said. "Trash can also be digested by adult green sea turtles who mistake it for other forms of wildlife. For example a clear plastic bag can be mistaken for a jellyfish."

On Andersen, feral animals remain one of the largest threats to the turtles, according to de la Peña.

"The feral or non-domesticated animals such as monitor lizards, boar and dogs dig up nests and eat green sea turtle eggs," she said.

Ms. de la Pena said that Andersen's secluded coastline and the efforts of the conservation officers help protect the turtles from threats against them. She added that their work is important on both a local and federal level.

"The data collected from Andersen's coast helps to identify species occurrence, species abundance, nesting cycles, Guam's genetic make-up and adds to the information in the recovery programs and strategies to the local and federal governments conducting sea turtle work in Guam," Ms. de la Peña said. "Andersen's support of the species is also important because it helps to promote environmental stewardship and educate the public of the threats to the green sea turtle by leading the way."