Because leatherback turtle nesting season is about to begin on St. Croix, the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) is sharing information on the first report covering the results of last year’s turtle season at the Southgate Coastal Reserve. There are three species of turtles that nest at Southgate, and, depending on the species, there is good news and bad news.
For the first time since SEA monitored this beach, which was in 2005, not a single leatherback has nested at Southgate. This is part of a region-wide trend of a decline in leatherback numbers, especially on St. Croix.
SEA has found eight hawksbill nests, which is also low, although not as bad as the leatherbacks.
Green turtles, on the other hand, had a great year, with 40 nests at Southgate alone. Other turtle monitoring projects found high numbers of green turtle nests.
Everyone is invited to come out to the Turtle Season Kick-off event scheduled for 9-11 a.m., March 21, at the Southgate Beach. This is a great opportunity to learn more about sea turtles and the groups on St. Croix that are working to protect them. There will be activities for all ages, and there will be a beach clean-up, so it will be safe and clean for turtles and humans both.
