Experiencing Turtles on the Beach
Some nights as many as ten or twenty turtles come ashore to nest. However, they need dry sand to be able to dig the hole where they will lay their eggs. If they do not find sand suitable for nesting they return to the ocean.
On those perfect nights though, when the sand is right, when the turtle reaches the shore it will quickly begin digging its nesting hole. During this process the turtles can be easily distracted into abandoning their task. Trained guides make sure no overly-curious observers, get too close.
Why is it so important not to distract a laying turtle? … because there is a span of at least 30 years from when a female leatherback hatches to when it returns to its birth beach to lay eggs for the “first” time.
Once the turtle starts laying her eggs, she goes into a trance like state, and will not stop the process until all eggs have been laid and, ending the process, she has completely covered the nest with sand.
During the nesting “trance” guides might allow you to touch a turtle and take a few photos. Camera flashes are allowed at this time but ONLY under direction from the guide. During this time guides sometimes measure and tag turtles for ongoing study purposes. As well, they might also remove some of the eggs from the nest, transplanting them to more secure protected nests. Once the now exhausted turtle recovers from its egg laying experience and trance, it treads wearily back to the ocean.
Dominica Turtle Initiatives
The Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative (RoSTI) project’s goal was to conserve Dominica's Hawksbill, Leatherback and Green turtles populations. Working closely with communities island-wide, RoSTI initially organized educational activities, research and conservation practices.
Today, the Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation Organization (DomSeTCO) continues the work of RoSTI in training specialized turtle watching guides and enlightening the local communities. The DomSeTCO beach patrollers play an integral role in the protection of these animals and have special access to the beach. No expedition is conducted without the guidance one of these specialized guides.
Interesting Facts
The Leatherback turtle is the largest of all sea turtles and can grow to lengths of 8 feet (2.4 meters) with a body width span, from the tip of one front flipper to the tip of the other, 10 feet (3 meters). They can weigh up to 1000 pounds. They have been known to dive 4000 feet below the surface. Sea turtles can live for an average of 50 to 70 years.
Turtles in Dominica, as in many other countries where giant turtles nest, have been hunted for their shell, meat and eggs. Some believe that eating turtle eggs is good aphrodisiac. However, this is nothing more than a wives tale and is completely untrue. There is no law in Dominica preventing people from eating turtle meat.
Fortunately, the work done by RoSTI and DomSeTCO has effectively increased awareness in the importance of protecting sea turtles; local killing of turtles has noticeably diminished, though unfortunately not completely.
ALDive
Scuba Diving and W.A.T.E.R. Sports adheres to the Marine
Mammal Codes of Conduct:
|
||||||||||||||
