Information Session, Beach Cleanup Held in Order to Ensure Conservation of Endangered St. Maarten Sea Turtles
Some three months ago the St. Maarten Nature Foundation was alerted to a Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) that nested on Great Bay Beach. It was decided by Nature Foundation staff that, because of the high number of beach activities which may harm the eggs, the nest be relocated to a more suitable location. The nest was excavated and quickly removed to Guana Bay in order to avoid undue stress to the eggs of the endangered species.
After the incubation period for the nest had passed, the Nature Foundation excavated the nest and found that it hatched with significant success; 75% of the eggs hatched which is above the regional average of approximately 30 to 50%. During the examination of the nest, participants of a beach clean-up jointly organized by the Nature Foundation and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Community, were also able to assist the remaining hatchlings successfully make it to the ocean.
On Monday the Nature Foundation also gave a follow-up presentation at its offices in Cole Bay to private individuals and representatives from various companies and institutions information on the proper care and handling of Sea Turtles. Representatives of Government, the Marine Industry and Environmental Organization St. Maarten Pride and Epic and private individuals attended the evening.
Sea turtle population numbers have plummeted to dangerously low numbers throughout the past century due to human impacts, bringing many species close to extinction and causing them to be listed as critically endangered. In order to reverse this trend, all sea turtle species are now protected by international laws and treaties as well as local laws. Based on ARTICLE 16 and 17 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance St. Maarten it is illegal to kill, wound, capture, pick-up, have animals that belong to a protected animal species, to directly or indirectly disturb their environment resulting in a physical threat or damage to the fauna or to commit other acts which result in disturbance of the animal. It is also forbidden to upset an animal belonging to a protected species, to disturb damage or destroy its nest, lair, or breeding place, as well as to take the nest of such an animal. Also, it is forbidden to pick-up or to destroy the eggs of animals belonging to a protected species. If Sea Turtles, Turtle Nests, or Hatchlings are found the community is urged to contact the Nature Foundation at 5444267.
The public can see one of the Hatchlings make it to the ocean on the Nature Foundation YouTube page www.YouTube.com/NFSXM