There is a disturbingly large amount of illegal trade in hawksbill shells and products.

The Problem: Hawksbill sea turtles, recognized for their beautiful gold and brown shells, have been hunted for centuries to create jewelry and other luxury items. As a result, these turtles are now listed as critically endangered worldwide.

The beautiful shell of this turtle has been used to make everything from combs, jewellery, ornaments, furniture inlays, spectacle frames, guitar picks and knitting needs.

What can we do?

Talk about it! Communicate with your friends and educate tourists when you travel the importance of protecting them! Raise awareness about the illegal shell trade.

Today, lack of information about sea turtles leads many tourists to unwittingly support the international trade. Buying, selling or importing any sea or any sea turtle products in many countries around the world, is strictly prohibited by law, but turtle shell jewelry and souvenirs are still the most frequent contraband items seized by customs officials from especially tourists returning from the Caribbean.

Read more about  the hawksbill turtle on this article publised this year, 2015 in April

http://news.discovery.com/animals/endangered-species/hawksbill-turtle-rookery-recovering-in-south-pacific-150409.htm