The Anguilla National Trust and the Marine Resources Unit of the Department of Natural Resources are both keeping an eye out for sea turtles coming ashore on various beaches on the island to lay their eggs.
One of the latest sightings was at Limestone Bay on the island’s north coast earlier this month. There are also reports of turtles seen on other beaches elsewhere.
While monitoring the turtle nests – for protection – teams from both the National Trust and the Marine Resources Unit will be paying much attention to see whether some of the arriving turtles were not tagged in Anguilla before. Tagging of turtles is a regular practice particularly in the grass beds between Scilly Cay and Island Harbour Bay.
It usually takes between 80-90 days for turtle eggs to hatch – and therefore the hatchlings race down to the sea. On their journey they have to overcome predator birds while those that survive can fall prey to fish, leaving well-reduced numbers to continue the battle for survival.
Fishermen and other persons often report sightings of turtles in the sea – and the numbers are thought to be significant. However, for several years, under our fishing regulations, there is a continuing ban on catching them or taking their eggs.
