Turtle wipeout

Beautiful marine turtles are facing extinction unless the UK acts soon.

Beautiful marine turtles are facing extinction unless the UK acts soon.

The graceful creatures are protected from pollution and fishing nets while feeding in our waters.

But they risk death when they migrate thousands of miles to their breeding grounds.

Many head to the West African coast where they are caught so their meat can be sold. And their eggs - considered an aphrodisiac - are taken by poachers.

The UK is now being urged to sign a multi-nation agreement to stop the slaughter of shared turtle populations. The Marine Conservation Society said: "There are considerable threats to Atlantic turtles. Some West African countries have agreed a plan of action but they desperately need EU and UK support."

The turtles date back 200 million years. Many return to lay eggs on the beaches where they were born. But today there are just seven species left - and all are listed as threatened.

The five which visit UK waters are the Kemp's Ridley, loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill and green turtle.

In 1947 there were 92,000 Kemp's Ridley nests, compared to 350 today. And the number of leatherbacks has plunged from 91,000 in 1980 to 20,000. Under our laws it is illegal to kill them. And any that are accidentally caught have to be returned to the sea immediately.

But they still face risks from plastic bags - which they mistake for jellyfish and eat - plus building on coastal nesting sites.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "The UK is committed to protecting turtles. We are considering the Memorandum of Understanding between Atlantic nations and take the matter very seriously."

To push for us to sign, write to Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for the Environment at Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR.