Green sea turtle

Systematic position. The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) belongs to the order Testudines, family Cheloniidae. Unlike most sea turtles, adults are predominantly herbivorous, making them a significant factor in coastal ecosystems and a potential threat to industrial seaweed and seagrass farming operations.

Affected crops. In aquaculture environments, green sea turtles primarily target seagrass meadows (such as Zostera or Thalassia species) and various types of edible macroalgae cultivated for commercial use. Their feeding behavior can lead to extensive biomass loss on maritime farms.

Biology and lifecycle. The species exhibits a complex lifecycle, involving long-distance migrations between feeding grounds and nesting beaches. After incubation in sandy beaches, hatchlings move to the open ocean. As they mature, they shift their diet and settle in coastal foraging areas where they establish grazing patterns on seagrass and algae beds.

Character of damage and harmfulness. Turtles use their serrated beaks to graze on vegetation, effectively pruning or completely uprooting the plants. This intense feeding pressure hinders plant regeneration and significantly reduces yield. The harmfulness is amplified when high densities of turtles inhabit the vicinity of cultivation zones, causing continuous pressure on the crop.

• Installation of exclusion nets designed to block turtle access to specific planting zones.
• Deployment of acoustic deterrents that discourage turtles from entering commercial farming areas.
• Strategic site selection away from known nesting and migratory corridors.
• Implementation of regular monitoring programs to predict and mitigate potential feeding surges during specific seasons.