Let's face it. Many of the reasons sea turtles are endangered have to do with how we treat and use both marine and coastal environments.

Despite the fact that sea turtles lay large numbers of eggs (an evolutionary strategy), there are very few that actually reach full growth.

Of course, there are quite a number of natural threats - deadly predators like sharks, fish (groupers, jacks, snappers, eels), seabirds (frigate birds, night herons), crabs and others that affect this. Still, now that human impacts are factored into the equation, survival rates are starting to plummet. According to research, in the United States, the vast majority of human threats are indirect.

This is why many people fail to interpret the fact that they are actually contributing to endangering sea turtles - even less people value conservation efforts.

For example, incidental capture (called bycatch) by commercial fisheries or the disorientation of hatchlings by coastal lighting. In other countries, people use eggs (and even adult sea turtles or hatchlings) for food and jewelry.

However, it is strictly against international law to carry sea turtle parts or products across national borders. In most countries, it is illegal to sell, purchase, or possess sea turtles or any products derived from them. All sea turtle species are highly endangered.

There are seven major sea turtle species: the Flatback Sea Turtle, the Green Sea Turtle, the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and the Leatherback Sea Turtle.

All species of sea turtles are illegally used for profit: Bones are used for bone meal. The meat of all sea turtles (except for flatback sea turtles) are used for staple food items for some cultures, and ceremonial or gourmet items for others. This has been a historically reliable souce of fresh meat for transoceanic sailors - but today, many olive ridley sea turtles are suffering from this tradition.

Olive ridley sea turtles are greatly endangered, but some continue to use them for bones despite conservation efforts.

The carapace of sea turtles are also used for Curio, lacquered wall hangings, and body cradles. Green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, olive ridley sea turtles, and loggerhead sea turtles suffer greatly from this.

Hawksbill sea turtles are also exploited for their tortoiseshell and carey.

Sea turtles lay many eggs because only a few get to survive till the end - however, the eggs of all seven turtle species (flatback sea turtle, green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, kemp's ridley sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, and leatherback sea turtle) are used for food and aphrodisiac associations in some cultures.

The fatty tissues of green sea turtles, hawksbill and olive's ridley sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, and leatherback seatures are used to make oil and cream.

If you live near the beach, supporting local sea turtle conservation initiatives or volunteering beach cleanup projects can help sea turtles. You can also participate in local sighting networks and complete all sighting forms to help such endangered species.

And most importantly, it is recommended not to buy or sell sea turtle products - turtles are strictly protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and most national laws.