June 26, 2016

Let’s Protect our Amazing Sea Turtles by SLNT Member: Vashti Chatoor

On the 25th

June a group of approximately

fifty persons gathered in the Mega J

parking lot eager for the adventure that lay

ahead. The Saint Lucia National Trust

organized a weekend “Beach Turtle Camp”

at Grand Anse on the North East coast.

By 5:30 p.m. we boarded the two

bushwhackers provided and headed out.

Our trip took us through Balata, then

through Babonneau with a stop at the

Babonneau Police Station where we

collected three police officers - security is

an absolute must for a trip to Grande Anse Beach. Our group was in high spirits as we arrived in

Des Barras where we collected our three guides. The road is clearly marked with signs such as

the one above.

As we headed to our destination we observed on either side of the unpaved road slash and burn

methods of agriculture, short term crops were grown: pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers

and plantains.

The road got progressively narrower and ‘bad’: you will definitely need a four wheel drive to

traverse this portion of the road. The sun having set, we completed the last part of our drive in

darkness. It is advisable to make this trip during the day. Having arrived at our destination we

were pleasantly surprised to see that our ‘home’ for the weekend had already been erected, and

dinner was on. I kid you not. Members of the Trust went down earlier in the day and erected

their tent and set up the BBQ grill. We all got busy

settling in. Many participants brought their tents and

erected them.

Once we settled in, the guides met with us and read

us the riot act: don't go on the beach without a

guide; while on the beach no noise no lights; ‘we

will tell you when you can take photographs’; wear

dark clothing. After the talk we then had a

scrumptious dinner washed down by home made

fruit juices. Our guides at this time went on patrol

along the beach. We settled into our camp site and

awaited their return.

By 10 p.m. we heard the cry ‘turtle spotted’, we all gathered and followed the guide to the

northern section of the beach and there she was, a hawksbill turtle in all her glory. We gathered

around her but our unbridled excitement got the

better of us, the decibel level went up and

unfortunately the flashing cameras were activated

before the guides gave the go ahead resulting in this

hawksbill abandoning her search for a nesting site

and headed back to the Atlantic not before being

measured by one of the guides.

We headed back to camp, the guides assured us that

our turtle will come ashore again to lay her eggs.

Our motley band dispersed to their respective tents.

Later that evening patrol groups were organized and

lead by our guide we patrolled the beach looking for

signs of nesting turtles. This beach is approximately

1.2 miles long, and walking it at night can be

challenging, closed up footwear is recommended.

The Atlantic Ocean, though majestic, is unforgiving

so stay away from the water’s edge.

We were not successful in spotting any turtles, by 1

a.m. we were all back in camp except for the guides

who continued their search. Some young men from

the area joined us, having gone crabbing. These they

boiled in seasoned water and we were the

beneficiaries of these delectable morsels.

By 2:30 a.m. we were told of a sighting. We

gathered and followed the guide to the nesting site.

There we saw our Hawksbill and patiently awaited

the directions from the guide. The guide indicated

that it was the same turtle we saw earlier, from the

photographs you can recognize her as the same

turtle by the barnacle on her back. Our turtle had, by the time we arrived, laid her eggs

and was in the process of covering up her nest. The

guide gave the go ahead and the air was filled with

the sound of camera shutters and lights. It is well

known that while laying their eggs turtles’ eyes are

kept moist by producing tears. This was quite

evident on our Hawksbill.

Our turtle having done her job, did not hesitate to

head back out to sea. The guide asked that we only

take photographers from the back. This we did. It is

estimated that each nest contains at least 120 eggs.

Our guides indicated that the eggs laid that

night will hatch in 60 days and our hawksbill

will return in 10 days to repeat her egg laying.

By 4:30 a.m. we returned to camp. Breakfast

was on by this time and the camp site had the

distinctive aroma of ‘coco tea’. By 5:30 a.m.,

we gradually made our way to the beach to

witness a sunrise over the Atlantic

We broke camp and departed by 7 a.m.

completely satiated, arriving back at our starting

point by 9 a.m.

Our island is a nesting site for leatherback, green and hawksbill turtles, but the number of nesting

females are dwindling, their eggs are poached and these critically endangered species are

slaughtered for their meat.

During the nesting period, March to October this activity is illegal, attracting a fine of $5,000.00

on conviction. It is time for Saint Lucia to place a total ban on this practice.