Rare leatherback sea turtle noticed off B.C. coast

A B.C. nurse has documented a large leatherback sea turtle swimming off the coast of Haida Gwaii, a group of islands off B.C.’s northwest coast — a sighting that is being celebrated by conservation specialists, as the turtle species is critically endangered in Canada. 

Victoria Bradshaw, who works as a nurse in a distant fishing lodge on Haida Gwaii, was out on the water fishing close to Langara Island along with her coworker Aidan Horne on July 14 when she noticed one thing pop up out of the water. 

“I instantly thought sea lion just because we see them quite often, and Aiden, who I was with, kind of announced, ‘That’s not a sea lion. That’s the sea turtle,'” mentioned Bradshaw. 

“We kind of dropped everything, and I grabbed my phone and this very large creature just decided to hang out with us for a little while.” 

Bradshaw mentioned she was stunned at how gigantic the animal was, estimating it ranging between six and eight toes (1.8-2½ metres in measurement). At first, Bradshaw says she had no concept how uncommon it was to identify a leatherback sea turtle, particularly on B.C.’s coast. 

“I didn’t know it was an option for my bucket list, but apparently it was.” 

Leatherbacks are the most important turtles on the earth however are critically endangered. According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, there have solely been 149 distinctive sightings of leatherbacks on B.C.’s coast since 1931. 

“Leatherback sea turtles belong off the coast of British Columbia, but they are the rarest of the rare,” mentioned Jackie Hildering, a communications and schooling director for the Marine Education and Research Society. 

Hildering says they’re the one sea turtles which are in a position to adapt to chilly waters and journey 1000’s of kilometres from as distant as Indonesia to feed on B.C. jellyfish. 

“Amongst the astonishing adaptations of these living dinosaurs is that they can deal with a really broad range of temperatures,” she mentioned. 

Leatherback sea turtles are acknowledged as being endangered in Canada and guarded below the Species at Risk Act. 

Hildering says solely about 5 per cent of the Pacific inhabitants is left, and threats to their survival embrace entanglement in fishing gear, collision with boats and plastic air pollution. 

“You may not have known that these amazingly adapted living dinosaurs are your marine neighbours, but your day-to-day actions do impact them,” she mentioned. 

Bradshaw mentioned she’s seen lots of wildlife whereas residing on Haida Gwaii, however recognizing the leatherback sea turtle has shifted her perspective. 

“This animal was very healthy and safe and was just enjoying his life. It was just so magical,” mentioned Brashaw. 

“I think a little bit more about how important our waters are to so many different marine mammals and every creature that we don’t even know about. It’s just so important that we protect them and recognize that when we do get those really special moments.”

Hildering asks those that spot a sea turtle to report it to the Ocean Wise Sightings Network at 1-866-472-9663 or utilizing the Ocean Wise Whale Report app.