Safe Havens for Turtles

is an important nursery for immature turtles, which dine almost exclusively on a red algae. His project has gained the respect and cooperation of Baja fishermen.

Hawksbill turtle populations are threatened as a result of overharvesting. In response, nesting activity is monitored island-wide and throughout the year on Barbados by conservationists, government wildlife managers, citizens and Dr. Julia Horrocks. On nesting beaches, volunteer teams patrol for hawksbill females and hatching babies, as well as respond to 24-hour "hotline" calls concerning sightings elsewhere on the island.

Barbados, the farthest east of the Caribbean West Indian islands, may be the greatest window of hope for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Hunted down for their tender meat, their eggs, and their valuable "tortoiseshell", hawksbills have been decimated in their native tropical waters. Barbados is the only island in the Caribbean to monitor hawksbill nesting activity island-wide and throughout the year, a cohesive effort by conservationists, government wildlife managers, and citizens. Volunteer contributions to this project, which successfully lobbied for an island-wide moratorium on turtle hunting in 1998, will further the conservation of the beleaguered hawksbill.

Grand Cayman has introduced a new interactive turtle release program that combines the education and environmental objectives of the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm. The release program features a special guided tour of the Turtle Farm and allows participants to sponsor and release their own turtle while scuba diving or snorkeling. Divetech dive instructors, located next to the Turtle Farm, accompany guests and their turtles to Turtle Reef or the North Sound to release the animals. The program concludes with a certificate of recognition from the Turtle Farm.

If you've always wanted to do something for the environment that extends beyond recycling, here's a chance to participate in eco projects that do make a difference. Visit Earthwatch for more information on their worldwide projects in ecology, marine wildlife research, archeology, world health and cultural diversity.
© 2004 Linda Gettmann

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