> Green sea turtles have a relatively slow growth rate because of the low nutritional value of their diet. Body fat turns green because of the consumed vegetation.[61] This diet shift has an effect on the green turtle's skull morphology.[63] Their serrated jaw helps them chew algae and sea grasses.[64] Most adult sea turtles are strictly herbivorous.[61]
They might not be very efficient for farming for food without some breeding perhaps.
During the Age of Discovery, live sea turtles were captured and stored in the hulls of ships as a source of fresh protein. Because of their slow metabolism, turtles can live a long time while tightly packed in the hull.
Sailors would gather female turtles when they nested on shore. It is my understanding that some coral fringed islands that served as turtle nesting sites had a channel blown out of the reef using explosives. These channels are still used for the main pier and modern boat traffic.
Re:Is a Turtle an Animal or a Fish?
by tasogare on Wednesday September 30, 2020 @01:40AM
(#24635995)
Same story in China, where turtles disappeared millenia ago after being hunted for making dishes. Interestingly, they were also used as a writing support.
Re:Is a Turtle an Animal or a Fish?
by throwaway_pdp09 on Wednesday September 30, 2020 @04:14AM
(#24636631)
If you post something intriguing, such as about being a "writing support", please provide a link! It's sounds so interesting.
Wow, what an interesting fad. I'm curious about what turtle tastes like, and if it has any comparisons with fatty tuna (otoro) or wagyu.
Edit: Like veal, apparently: https://reason.com/2010/03/09/sea-turtle-tastes-like-veal/. Also, according to the article, farming may be a sustainable source of sea turtle meat.