WILLEMSTAD - Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) has made an urgent plea to beach establishment owners to create more space for endangered sea turtles and their nests during the nesting season. This call comes after a recent incident on Klein Curaçao, where a green sea turtle, unable to find a suitable nesting spot, returned to the sea.
In a social media video, the foundation shared that the turtle traveled at least 150 meters in search of a proper nesting site, but was obstructed by barriers such as palapas and concrete blocks.
“A turtle tries for two to three nights to make a nest, but eventually, she has to lay her eggs. If she can't find a nest, she lays them in the sea, and they are lost,” STCC explained to Nu.cw.
In addition to Klein Curaçao, beaches such as Blue Bay, Porto Marie, and Cas Abao are also popular nesting locations for turtles. In the San Juan area, fewer issues arise, as the beaches are quieter and not hindered by constructions or beach chairs.
To make beaches more turtle-friendly, STCC suggests avoiding construction on nesting sites and removing beach furniture during the nesting season, especially in known nesting areas. The foundation also recommends creating safe paths for the turtles so they do not get trapped by obstacles. A simple step that all beachgoers can take is to avoid leaving trash behind.
So far, owners of beach establishments or constructions have not responded to STCC's call. "We haven't seen any responses to our posts yet," STCC commented.
STCC, with permission from the Ministry of Traffic, Transport, and Spatial Planning (VVRP), has fenced off an area where vegetation was recently damaged and where several nests are located. This area is now marked with stakes and signs to indicate its importance as a nesting site for turtles.