Where is the protection for turtles?
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:27 pm
Having just returned from a stay on Turtle beach, I was concerned by the lack of protection on this beach for nesting turtles.
This beach is marketed as a turtle nesting beach and good place to stay for those interested in watching nesting turtles so it must attract a lot of tourists interested in turtles.
However little seems to be done to protect its nesting turtles.
Security lights on the beach were not turned off at night. Bright lights deter turtles from coming ashore.
There was a lot of litter on the beach e.g. plastic bottles which could be fatal if eaten by a turtle (mistaken for jellyfish)
When an endangered leatherback turtle did emerge from the sea to nest, a steel band was playing at the Rex Hotel. The hotel was aware of the turtle and yet the band continued to play. Unsurpisingly, the turtle beat a hasty retreat to the sea!
I am aware that there are concerned individuals and organisations such as S.O.S(Save Our Sea turtles) working to conserve the endangered leatherback turtles. I think they need more support from the Government of Tobago.
There are less than 100000 leatherback turtles left. They are critically endangered.
Perhaps an education program in schools is needed? Very few locals seemed concerned for the turtles. Many still see them as a food source and there is still an open season when turtles can be hunted.
Tobago is a beautiful country full of natural wonders. It would be a tragedy if it allowed one its oldest and most precious to become a thing of the past. Extinction is forever.
Tobago would be poorer without its turtles...and not to mention all the tourists it would loose who would go elsewhere to watch nesting leatherback turtles.
One only has to read the posts on the website to see just how many people yearn to see a nesting leatherback.
This beach is marketed as a turtle nesting beach and good place to stay for those interested in watching nesting turtles so it must attract a lot of tourists interested in turtles.
However little seems to be done to protect its nesting turtles.
Security lights on the beach were not turned off at night. Bright lights deter turtles from coming ashore.
There was a lot of litter on the beach e.g. plastic bottles which could be fatal if eaten by a turtle (mistaken for jellyfish)
When an endangered leatherback turtle did emerge from the sea to nest, a steel band was playing at the Rex Hotel. The hotel was aware of the turtle and yet the band continued to play. Unsurpisingly, the turtle beat a hasty retreat to the sea!
I am aware that there are concerned individuals and organisations such as S.O.S(Save Our Sea turtles) working to conserve the endangered leatherback turtles. I think they need more support from the Government of Tobago.
There are less than 100000 leatherback turtles left. They are critically endangered.
Perhaps an education program in schools is needed? Very few locals seemed concerned for the turtles. Many still see them as a food source and there is still an open season when turtles can be hunted.
Tobago is a beautiful country full of natural wonders. It would be a tragedy if it allowed one its oldest and most precious to become a thing of the past. Extinction is forever.
Tobago would be poorer without its turtles...and not to mention all the tourists it would loose who would go elsewhere to watch nesting leatherback turtles.
One only has to read the posts on the website to see just how many people yearn to see a nesting leatherback.
and i'm hoping to be just as lucky again.