This week, sea turtles are in the spotlight. These magnificent creatures can be found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but unfortunately, all six species of sea turtles found in U.S. waters are either threatened or endangered.
One safe haven for sea turtles can be found off the U.S. southeastern coast on the Blake Plateau. This region lies about 80 to 200 miles offshore along the Gulf Stream and hosts a variety of ecosystems, from deep-sea coral habitat to Sargassum seaweed meadows. The Gulf Stream’s current carries this seaweed and causes it to accumulate into dense mats on the water’s surface.
Leatherback, loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill, and olive ridley sea turtles all benefit from the shelter and feeding grounds created by these seaweed mats, especially young and juvenile sea turtles, with some spending a decade or more drifting through the mats. This region being essential for sea turtles’ development and safety has led to major portions of the plateau being designated as critical habitat for loggerhead turtles.
Sea Turtle Week is a reminder of the importance of protecting areas offshore, like the Blake Plateau, that serve as homes to sea turtles and a large variety of marine species, from surface to seafloor. Keeping the Blake Plateau healthy will safeguard the sea turtles and other ocean life that depend on it for habitat, food, and safety for decades to come.
To learn more about the Blake Plateau, visit ConserveBlakePlateau.org, and to help conserve this amazing area, take action here.
