WILLEMSTAD – Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) is reporting an increase in sea turtle nesting activity at beaches where the organization had previously recorded few or no nests. However, the conservation group warns that it does not have enough volunteers to monitor all beaches on the island effectively.
STCC representative Art Vreugdenhil shared the information during an interview with Kim Hendriks on the afternoon program of Radio Curaçao.nu. He said the recent discoveries indicate that more sea turtles may be using Curaçao’s beaches as nesting sites than previously known.
Last week, a sea turtle nest hatched at Daaibooi, a location where STCC was unaware of the presence of a nest. Some hatchlings successfully reached the ocean, but others were likely confused by artificial lighting and moved in the wrong direction along the beach. Beach visitors intervened and were able to save several young turtles, according to STCC.
Vreugdenhil said Daaibooi may contain additional undiscovered nests. A female turtle can lay four to five nests during a nesting season, with approximately two weeks between each nest. This means more hatchlings could emerge in the coming weeks, or earlier nests may have gone unnoticed.
For the first time since STCC began monitoring the area, a nest was also discovered near Santa Barbara, now known as Sandals. The organization considers the appearance of nests in new locations a positive sign for sea turtle conservation on Curaçao.
STCC continues to monitor known nesting areas, including beaches in Bandabou, which are checked three times per week, as well as Klein Curaçao. However, the organization says it cannot maintain continuous surveillance of every beach on the island.
Artificial light threatens hatchlings
STCC is reminding residents and visitors that artificial lighting can be dangerous for young sea turtles. Hatchlings naturally use light to find their way toward the ocean, but streetlights, beach lighting, campfires and other artificial sources can cause them to move in the wrong direction.
The organization is asking beach visitors to turn off unnecessary lights when nests are hatching. Fires on Curaçao beaches are also prohibited.
STCC also advises people not to immediately carry hatchlings to the sea when they find them during the day. The turtles need to crawl across the beach themselves to strengthen their swimming muscles and to imprint their birthplace, which helps adult turtles return to the same area decades later to nest.
If the journey to the ocean is unsafe, STCC recommends carefully placing the turtle in a box or bucket using a small shovel and dry sand. The container should be kept cool and dry, with a damp cloth placed over it. The organization should then be contacted immediately.
Direct contact with bare hands is discouraged because turtles can be exposed to bacteria, viruses and substances such as sunscreen residue.
STCC seeks more volunteers
With increasing nesting activity, STCC is calling for more volunteers who can help monitor beaches and register turtle nests.
New volunteers receive training before being allowed to work independently. The organization emphasizes that the work requires commitment and responsibility because it involves protecting endangered animals.
Interested residents can meet with STCC this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the community center in Boka Sami to learn more about volunteering opportunities.
The organization is also working on establishing its own sea turtle rehabilitation center on Curaçao.