By Jessy Leonce
In continued welfare efforts for nesting sea turtles, the Department of Fisheries is erecting signposts at beaches island wide to make it easier for individuals to report any sightings of the visiting reptiles.
The signpost lists contact information including a QR code and WhatsApp number to report sea turtle activity, as well as tips to protect the nesting turtles and hatchlings.
Fisheries Officer, Yvonne Edwin urges the public to make use of the information during what is now the height of the nesting season.
“We have been seeing an increase in sea turtle activity and not just activity of them successfully coming to nest, but persons poaching, taking those eggs, and slaughtering the turtles irrespective that it is the closed season. We want to urge persons who go onto a beach, who visit the beach and see any such activity to report it, as well as ensuring they take their garbage, not leaving their pets behind, or dropping off dogs on the beach.”
Edwin also discourages excess artificial lights at the beach which may be confusing to sea turtles, or driving on sandy beaches, as this compacts the sand and crushes buried eggs.
Of the seven remaining turtle species in the world, three visit Saint Lucia’s shores to nest between March and November annually.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
You all have to make turtle hunting illegal. Don’t just say nonsense to the press. Saint Lucia is one of the very few countries where turtles are not protected
Exactly @ anonymous. stop talking about what these people are doing to the turtles and make a change. prevent them from doing what they do, make it illegal and unacceptable.
These comments are correct – make it illegal & fine/gaol those who poach, disrupt the nests, and abandon dogs there -a another disgraceful act committed by many Lucians. ALL animals need to be treated with respect – wildlife, domestic animals & farm animals. The Government & Fisheries Department in particular need to develop education programs & impose penalties to protect turtles & other wildlife. Signs appealing to the good nature of people don’t work on poachers & other destructive people. They just don’t care.