Coexisting with sea turtles

Courtesy Photo | A sea turtle is seen during a dive off Windmill Beach by service members of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. There are several species of sea turtles that can be found in the waters surrounding U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. They include the leatherback, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.  

01.08.2010

Story by Spc. April de Armas 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

Whether it is on land, in the air or in the surrounding waters, all creatures big and small share the living space with service members and residents of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay — this is also true of sea turtles.

There are several species of sea turtles that can be found in the waters surrounding the naval station. They include the leatherback, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.

"Because of the unique position the base is in, we can see these turtles spawn year round," said Mike McCord, U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay environmental director.

Service members and residents who take advantage of snorkeling or diving can see sea turtles on a regular basis. Some may even happen upon a nest of eggs or newly-hatched turtles while on the beach.

On Dec. 12, 2009, Jean Anderson, purchasing manager for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, walked up on some newly-hatched turtles before starting a night dive at Windmill Beach.

"It was so exciting and we were surprised at first," Anderson said. "We saw them heading to the basketball court and helped them back to the water using a flashlight."

Hatchlings find their way to the ocean by crawling toward the brightest horizon.

"They were thrown off course because the basketball court lights were on," Anderson said. "When my dive partners and I started shining the flashlight toward the water, they turned and started to follow it in. It was really awesome to see."

Service members and residents may not realize that all species of sea turtles are endangered and protected creatures.

"Around the world, fish and wildlife conservation commissions have regulations in place to protect sea turtles from catching them and harvesting their eggs," McCord said.

Some of the biggest threats to the sea turtle population here in Guantanamo Bay, according to McCord, are traffic and light pollution on the beaches.

"People go to the beach to dive or to hang out. When they do, they tend to track through the nesting areas which destroys eggs," McCord said. "People also leave the lights on in the cabanas at the beach when they leave."

Another problem affecting the turtle population is harvesting of the eggs in the nests.

"During the 90s, when we had a large population of migrants here, our turtle population was affected because the migrants would go to the beaches and get the eggs and eat them," McCord said.

Service members and residents may not realize they can help in the conservation of the sea turtle population here.

"The best way people can help is to keep a look out for turtle tracks on the beach and be aware of where they are traveling on the beach and to turn off all lights at the cabanas after using them," McCord said. "We need to remember that most of us are visitors here and we want to protect the wildlife so others who come can enjoy it as well."

• Date Taken: 01.08.2010
• Date Posted: 01.13.2010 12:58
• Story ID: 43773