How you can Help the Barbados Sea Turtles Survive.

Barbados is a nesting ground to 2 of the world’s rarest sea creatures, the Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. These endangered animals are protected in Barbados and carefully monitored by the Barbados Sea Turtle Project (BSTP) based at the University of The West Indies. The BSTP is working to educate locals and visitors on these beautiful sea turtles and the role each individual can play in protecting them. Here are some interesting facts that we have learned from the BSTP.

What are the types of turtles in Barbados?

Hawksbill, Leatherback and Green Turtles all nest in Barbados. Sometimes the Loggerhead turtle is spotted feeding in the blue waters.

What do they eat and how does it help the ecosystem?

• Hawksbill turtles help to keep coral reefs healthy by feeding on sea sponges which, if left unchecked, would overgrow and choke reefs.
• Green turtles graze on seagrasses making nutrient-rich new growth available to other grazing species such as the fish caught in the near-shore pot and net fisheries.
• Leatherback turtles help to keep pelagic fish populations healthy by controlling the abundance of jellyfish which, if left unchecked, would decimate populations of fish larvae.

How big do they get?

• Hawksbill turtles grow to 75-100 cm weighing 150-220 pounds
• Green turtles grow to 80-125 cm weighing 144 – 507 pounds
• Leatherback turtles grow to 132-180 cm and weigh a huge 550-2000 pounds!

Where do they nest? 

Rockley beach to Needham’s Point beach (including Craggy Nook’s beach) is considered the most heavily populated Hawksbill nesting site in the Caribbean with around 200 nests each containing around 150 eggs. Just imagine the number of sea turtles who start their life on this beautiful stretch of beach.

Leatherbacks are mostly seen nesting on the East Coast of Barbados like Bath beach.

When are the Nesting and Hatching Seasons?

• Hawksbills and Green Turtles nest from mid-May to late October
• Leatherbacks nest between February and July
• Hatchlings appear 60 days after the nesting dates.

How many eggs do they lay?

• Hawksbill turtles lay 150 eggs in each clutch (nest). Females can lay 4-5 clutches each breeding season
• Green turtles lay 110 eggs per clutch and can have up to 4 clutches per season
• Leatherback turtles lay only 85 eggs per clutch but can have up to 7 clutches/season.
• Sea Turtles can only breed every 2-4 years.

What happens after they hatch?

Hatchlings will instinctively look for the brightest horizon (which should naturally be towards the horizon of the ocean). Once they reach the sea they begin a ‘swimming frenzy’ where they swim for 72 hours until they are picked up by the currents of the North Atlantic. For the next 3-4 years, the young turtles float on the surface of the ocean hiding and feeding on floating seaweed. In about 20 years when the turtle is sexually mature, it will return to the waters where it hatched. Females will lay her eggs within a few kilometres distance of where she hatched decades earlier. Unfortunately, it is estimated that only 1 in every 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Why are sea turtles threatened?

Natural predators like crabs and birds may prey on hatchlings, but more significantly, turtles are threatened by human action. In the past, sea turtles were harvested for their shell, meat and eggs. Some turtles are accidentally caught and drowned by fishing nets or hit by motorboats. Nesting beaches are also under threat. Eroding beaches, beachfront properties without proper planning permission or lighting can affect a mother’s ability to lay eggs or hatchling ability to make it to the ocean.

What can we do to help?

• Save the Turtle Hotline number to your phone in case you spot any turtles nesting or hatching. Report all activity to 246-230-0142.
• Avoid any harsh lighting on the beach that may confuse baby turtles as they make their journey from their nest to the ocean. At Craggy Nook we use turtle-friendly lighting and turn off all lights at night when possible.
• Do not disturb nesting females (do not use flash photography)
• Keep the waters and beaches clean and litter free. Sea turtles can mistake plastic bags at sea for jellyfish and choke on it.
• Do not overfeed or ride turtles while swimming with them
• Educate your peers (by sharing this blog post) on the important role sea turtles play in the ecosystem and how they can help.
• Attend an educational hatchling release hosted by the BSTP where you can ask your questions and find out how you can volunteer with the project on your vacation.
• Donate to the BSTP here.

At Craggy Nook Villas we are passionate about protecting this fascinating species whose beach we share. We have affectionately named our ground floor unit “Hawksbill” after the endangered species that nests just feet away. Many of our guests have called the BSTP Turtle Hotline to report activity which has saved many turtle lives. We thank all of our previous and upcoming guests for respecting and protecting the turtles in every way.