The Cayman Islands
Department of Environment (DoE) is reminding residents and visitors
to watch out for sea turtles nesting on our beaches over the next
several months.

Although it’s only
April, DoE scientists have already recorded one nest
along Grand Cayman’s south coast. The busiest part of turtle
nesting season typically runs from May through November each year,
with the large adult females clambering up the beach to lay their
eggs between now and September, and
hatchlings emerging between July and November.

Members of the public are
asked not to interfere with turtles in the wild, especially adult
female turtles if they are spotted on the beaches, and also not to
rake or cover turtle tracks, or tamper
with turtle eggs in the nests. It is an offence to crush or excavate
a nest with a vehicle or machinery, and any vehicle or machinery to
be used on the beach must first obtain planning permission. Residents
should always check with the DoE’s Environmental Management Unit
(EMU.doe@gov.ky)
to clarify if any permissions are required for certain beaches, and
whether any nests might be impacted by works on the beach in the
turtle nesting season.

“Everyone must do their
part in trying to ensure that nesting mother turtles and the baby
turtles are not harmed during the nesting season” said Minister for
Environment Hon. Dwayne Seymour, as he urged the public to be
respectful and vigilant during the turtle nesting season.

“Baby turtles usually
take 50-60 days to hatch from their eggs, so it’s important those
nesting areas are not disturbed while they are preparing to emerge
and that the baby turtles are protected while they make their
way to the sea,” said Dr. Janice Blumenthal, DoE’s research
officer in charge of the turtle nesting programme.  “While sea
turtle nesting numbers have increased, the overall number of female
turtles in the population is still extremely low and threats to the
population have worsened. The most critical threats are poaching of
nesting female turtles and bright lights on the beach that disorient
turtles.”  

The ongoing development
of DoE’s turtle-friendly lighting programme aims to help reduce
turtle disorientations. In recent months, DoE scientists have met
with a number of beachfront property owners who are implementing
softer, amber-coloured outdoor lighting schemes that do not confuse
or draw turtles away from the beach where they face danger from
predation, vehicular traffic and exhaustion.  

If anyone finds a turtle
nest or track, please report it to the DoE’s 24-hour hotline
938-NEST (938-6378). This number is also used to report nests to DoE
volunteers and staff in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman

Poaching sea turtles is a
crime under the National Conservation Law. If anyone becomes aware of
such illegal activity, they are asked to please immediately contact
911 or call the DoE’s Chief Conservation Officer Mark Orr at
916-4271. -30-

Photo captions:

Photo 1: Sea turtle off West Bay coast.

Photo 2: Sea turtle in Little Cayman

Photo 3: DoE Research Officer Paul Chin inspects an egg from the first sea turtle nest of the 2019 season.

How you can help sea turtles

Members of the public can help our
local nesting turtle population by calling to report turtle tracks
and nests to the DoE’s Turtle Hotline, 938-NEST (6378), and by
turning off lights on the beach during the turtle nesting season.

In addition to
reporting nests, beachfront property owners and residents can assist
by following the DoE’s guidelines for making beaches safe for
turtles:

• Reduce
  beach lighting: turn off,
  redirect, or shield any lights that can be seen from the beach
  during the turtle nesting season (contact DoE for more
  information). Lights near the beach can lead baby turtles away from
  the sea and result in their death. Lighting may also deter nesting
  females from coming ashore.
  
  
• Remain
  quiet and stay at a distance if
  you see a nesting turtle. Flashlights, loud noises, or getting too
  close might cause the turtle to abandon her nesting attempt.
  
  
• Remove
  obstacles such as beach chairs and
  recreational equipment from the beach at night.
  
  
• Do not
  drive on the beach—this can
  crush turtle nests. Contact DoE before using beach cleaning
  machines or heavy equipment.
  
  
• Protect
  beach vegetation. Vegetation
  blocks light from buildings, stabilizes the beach, and encourages
  turtles to nest.
  
  
• Do not
  have bonfires on the beach in the summer—use
  a designated BBQ pit.
  
  
• Do not
  rake or cover turtle tracks.
  Department of Environment staff and volunteers use the tracks to
  find and protect nests.
  
  
• Call
  DoE’s Turtle Hotline if you find a turtle track, nest, or baby
  turtle.
  
  
• Remember
  that sea turtles are protected under Cayman Islands Law
  and turtle poachers face steep fines and imprisonment. If you see
  persons harming or taking sea turtles or their eggs call DoE
  Enforcement (916-4271) or the police (911).