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The objective is to visualize all cable routes alongside various sightings of leatherback turtles. In some areas, the animals pass very close to where submarine cables are laid. Turtles heading to nesting sites on the beaches may travel many nautical miles. The map alternates between two views: the first focuses on turtle sightings closest to beaches with submarine cables, and the second offers a broader view of turtle trajectories and cable routes across the sea. This dual visualization highlights how the movements of these animals can seem to echo the paths traced by technological infrastructures beneath the ocean.
I chose leatherback turtles because Cuban authorities mentioned them during the installation of the Arimao cable. Specifically, they stated that the timing of female turtles nesting on Cienfuegos beach would be respected. They also indicated that the protection of this marine ecosystem has been taken into account to avoid impacts in areas with high concentrations of marine vegetation.
Therefore, we have a proven case showing that both the installation and removal of submarine infrastructure can affect not only this species. It would be advisable to assess each case individually when deciding how and when to lay or remove cables in these sensitive environments.
The process of connecting a submarine cable is preceded by studies conducted by an oceanographic vessel. This vessel maps the seafloor along various routes, and based on those results, the cable is designed and ordered from manufacturers. So, during this process, it would be possible to assess whether a vital seabed is going to be impacted or not. The same applies when deciding whether to remove a portion of unused cable.
“It is an infrastructure that lies on the seafloor for thousands of kilometers without any particular surveillance. The cables are inevitably pulled up by anchors, trawl nets, underwater earthquakes, etc. That's why at least two cables are needed. With one cable, the situation is not satisfactory; it's when you have two that you start to breathe easier. Three cables are even better.”
“Once that is done, we have to lay the cable, and for this, we have a special tool, which is a fleet of ships grouped in a company called Orange Marine.”
—Luc Vuillemin, President of International Networks at Orange S.A., Outremers360 (2019).
The key risks should be separated between impacts in deep waters and those in shallow waters. In deep waters, the risk of contamination is reduced. Often, cables are found to be “clean” when recovered for recycling.
Sources from the University of Berkeley who have studied the area noted that telecommunications cables do not harm biodiversity to the same extent as many other oceanic activities, mainly because they are fixed infrastructures.
In fact, when Caribbean government officials were interviewed about this, they stated that drone-based monitoring of submarine lines generates a huge amount of data on local biodiversity. Interestingly, much of this data can be uploaded to virtual archives—"the cloud"— which could travel through these very same cables.
The ICPC also cites other UN-affiliated organizations:
In short, the main principle should be not to disturb marine life. Therefore, cables in coastal areas whose removal would affect species and plants should be left in place. Deep-sea cables could be recycled if the net environmental benefit is positive. Each decision should be made in coordination with local stakeholders.
“Research into the recovery of the seabed following protective burial of submarine communications cables shows that physical recovery is controlled mainly by the availability of sediment and the potential of that sediment to be eroded, transported and deposited. In that context, recovery is most rapid on the inner continental shelf, becoming less rapid with increasing water depth and distance from shore.”
—Kraus, Christoph and Lionel Carter, 2018. Ocean Engineering 157, 251–261.
Q: How do submarine cables impact sea turtles?
A: Cables can interfere with migration routes and nesting areas, potentially causing disorientation for hatchlings due to artificial light.
Q: What should I do if I see a nesting turtle?
A: Maintain distance, keep quiet, and avoid using any lights that might disturb the turtle.
Q: How does extreme heat affect turtle nests?
A: High temperatures can cause nest failure, deformities in hatchlings, and skewed sex ratios.
Q: How can submarine cable installation be more environmentally friendly?
A: Cable routes should be assessed to avoid disrupting vital marine habitats, especially in coastal areas.
Sea turtle nesting season runs from March to October. Unfortunately, rising temperatures, habitat loss, and artificial lights threaten their survival. Experts like Dr. Sarah Milton, Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, and Dr. Annie Page share tips on protecting turtles and hatchlings, including staying away from nests and minimizing light pollution.
Processes need to be clarified and simplified to ensure that environmental considerations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Local stakeholders and environmental concerns must be taken into account.
That is, we wouldn't want to mandate the removal of cables crossing sensitive habitats, but we also wouldn’t want to forbid their removal when doing so would provide environmental benefits.
Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/7) on 2025-04-24. You can download the credits of the data bases from the following link: