Tuesday, May 22 2007

MATURA BEACH is recording a very high increase in the numbers of turtle nesting nightly. Every night for the past month, staff and volunteers of Nature Seekers have been identifying estimates in excess of 170 turtles.

On April 6, 2007, staff and volunteers tagged 108 turtles, the highest ever recorded for the night. The last year these high numbers were recorded was in 2004.

Trinidad and Tobago currently has the privilege and responsibility for supporting the second largest nesting colony of Leatherback sea turtles in the world. As stewards for ensuring the future of this ancient and magnificent reptile, Trinidad and Tobago is unique.

If TT does not protect its nesting female Leatherback, they will disappear from the Atlantic Ocean entirely to the loss of the world, as was the case with the turtle populations in the Pacific Ocean, which have almost been driven to extinction over the last 15 years as a result of over fishing/poaching.

Turtles from TT travel throughout the Atlantic to forage, and return to Trinidad and Tobago only to reproduce. This means that the actions of Trinidad and Tobago can have positive or negative implications on the turtle populations globally.

To sustain sea turtle populations, large juvenile, sub adult and reproductive adults must be completely protected. Human induced mortality of any kind will lead to the extinction of this “critically endangered species”.

In Trinidad, the Matura Beach is managed by the Forestry Division and Nature Seekers, a community organisation established in 1990 for the protection and conservation of marine turtles.

Since inception, it has worked together with the Forestry Division in a co-management capacity to protect sea turtles.

This partnership has generated tremendous success in turtle conservation by reducing the slaughtering of sea turtles from 30 to zero percent.

Persons hoping to view turtles must obtain a permit from the Forestry Division. Without the permit, a maximum fine of $20,000 can be imposed on a person.



For more information, contact Nature Seekers at 668-7337.