By Steve Thomas
Observer Nevis Editor
(Nevis) – A coalition of volunteers, government agencies and an organization friendly to ocean-dwelling creatures combined last weekend to clean up two Nevis beaches to prepare for the start of the 2008 sea turtle nesting season.
The work was done at Jones Bay Beach and Lovers Beach on May 3, according to a release from the Nevis Turtle Group.
The effort was organized by the NTG and the Department of Fisheries. The Nevis Solid Waste Department aided with the disposal of the refuse at the landfill at Long Point.
Also helping was a group of young people from the Legacy International Church Youth Group led by Messrs. Everson Walters and Vernon Mills, according to the NTG.
“The cleanup effort started just before 7 a.m. at the eastern end of Seahaven or Lovers Beach,” the release states. “A variety of litter was found along the beach but the predominant materials picked up were plastic and glass bottles. One discarded toilet seat was found among the seagrape at the western end of the beach as were a number of empty cardboard cartons and bits of galvanized sheeting. Most if not all of the garbage appeared to be of local origin. Some of it had obviously been left behind by beach users while the nature of some of the materials leads one to believe that a number of persons may be using the area as a dumpsite.”
The work then shifted to Jones Bay Beach.
“More garbage was found at this site than had been anticipated. This may be due to the ongoing construction work in the area. Discarded construction material, plastic and glass bottles were the main items found here. Again most if not all of the garbage found on the beach area was of local origin,” the NTG wrote. “Residents and visitors alike should take more care of our beaches and not use them as dumpsites.”
The NTG gave an update on nesting activity:
“It is yet early in the nesting season with about 10 clutches of eggs been laid so far – most of them by leatherback turtles. One clutch of hawksbill eggs have hatched with a 99 percent success rate. It is hoped that similar success rates will be observed throughout the season as the NTG helps these critically endangered sea turtles to survive.”
In March, NTG president Emile Pemberton announced the organization received a donation of UK5,000 pounds from the Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
The money will be used to help the group pay for conservation activities and various public education efforts, Mr. Pemberton said.
The NTG has been around since 2002. It has ranged in size from six members to 20, with its size often depending on student participation. Especially during the prime nesting months of July, August, September and October, NTG members go to beaches at night to help protect eggs.
The group also tags turtles to track their migratory paths. To date, the group has tagged over 100.
Two of the turtles have been identified off Nicaragua, one off St. Barts and one near Montserrat.
To get involved with NTG, call Mr. Pemberton at 665-1814 or e-mail mugabe@hotmail.com or nevisturtle@yahoo.co.uk
