Sea Turtle Nesting Season Ramps Up
Leatherback, Green, and Hawksbill Sea Turtles forage around Anguilla and its offshore cays.
They are often seen on the surface of the water.
These endangered creatures face significant natural and man-made challenges.
According to the literature:
“Before 1995 there was an active local turtle fishery in Anguilla when thousands of green and hundreds of hawksbill turtles were caught each year. In 1995 a five-year moratorium on turtle fishing was introduced which was extended for a further 5 years in 2000. The moratorium prohibits any harvest and use of marine turtles, their meat and their eggs.”
While the moratorium continues, many in the community want it lifted to resume harvesting. Opposition is also strong and thanks to research done by local agencies, the protections continue to this day. Although stiff fines and jail time are in the regulations for interfering with turtles and individuals have been caught in the act, I understand there are no prosecutions to date.
From April to November, all three species nest in small numbers on Anguilla’s northern beaches and offshore cays. You might recall a previous post about the nests I encountered on Scrub Island.
Lucky boaters might see them mating in our waters from time to time. I was fortunate to experience Green Sea Turtles mating in the waters of Shoal Bay East.
With most of our hotels shuttered for the hurricane season, there is an uptick in nesting on our shores.
Melinda Goddard, supporter of the site, shared her recent observations.
Patrick Webster - a friend of the page and frequent collaborator - recently alerted me to tracks he noticed from his boat. We were able to visit the location and capture a few photographs of the fresh tracks to and from the water.
There was evidence of two distinct turtles on the beach and at least one potential nest.
Hatching occurs approximately two months from the nest date. My calendar is marked with approximate hatch dates and I will follow up at the locations. With any luck, I will see these little cuties emerge!
A vast amount of information is available on sea turtles and the threats they face. I include several graphics, videos, and links to resources to explore.
The information graphics above provide a quick overview of each species.
This TedEd educational video highlights the breeding cycle and challenges faced by Sea Turtles. It is a great resource for young explorers.
The video above gives you a few magical moments I spent with our sea turtles in Little and Crocus Bays.
Many thanks to Melinda and Patrick for sharing their observations and continued support.
Despite the challenges, we can all agree Anguilla is lucky to have sea turtles in our beautiful waters. I hope they will continue to be protected and allowed to thrive. Let’s do our part to assist and advocate for them.
Sea Turtle Resources
Overview of Legislation Pertinent to Marine Turtle Harvest
Marine Turtles and International Law
Thank you for being among those who champion these wonderful animals!