Fossil evidence indicates sea turtles shared Earth with dinosaurs more than 210 million years ago, giving sea turtles the title, “dinosaurs of the ocean”. Sea Turtles are the ultimate lesson in ecology – everything is connected due to their inhabiting and using both land and ocean. If sea turtles become extinct, both the marine and land ecosystems will weaken, which will also weaken humans interaction with these systems. For these reasons, sea turtles are worth saving, and the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society works to do just so.
GMTCS history
In 1962, then a PhD student, renowned sea turtle biologist and conservationist Dr Peter Pritchard, undertook studies of biology and conservation of marine turtles at Shell Beach. In the early years, the initiative concentrated on documentation of species, numbers of nesting turtles and their fate and collecting series of voucher specimens, especially skulls, of sea turtles killed by hunters for their meat and eggs. But in 1988 it progressed into a successful pilot project, (The Sea Turtle Project) demonstrating that it is possible to bring about major conservation gains and protection of endangered species by working with communities harvesting sea turtles.
Dr Pritchard, along with Audley James, a converted sea turtle hunter, would appeal to fishermen and local residents to stop turtle hunting and egg collecting; in some instances buying eggs and turtles from hunters.
This conservation work continues today, with several members of the James’ family involved, as well as members of the surrounding Santa Rosa, Waramuri and Almond Beach communities. In April 2000, GMTCS was formally established. The co-founders were Dr Peter Pritchard, Audley James and Annette Arjoon, who was hired as project coordinator.
Projects
Recognising the importance of focusing on habitat and ecosystem management for species protection, as well as the need to address sustainable livelihoods for local communities, GMTCS has identified and has been working in sea turtle monitoring and conservation; education and awareness; research, sustainable livelihood development and promoting Shell Beach as a protected area.
Sea turtle monitoring and conservation is accomplished through field camps covering main nesting sites, manned by local and former sea turtle hunters, as a means of gaining an alternative source of income to sea turtle harvesting. Nightly patrols deter persons from killing sea turtles for meat, and egg poaching.
GMTCS’ efforts are evident through the number of turtles tagged along approximately 3-4km of the 120km beach. In 1965, GMTCS tagged just four Leatherback turtles compared to 2012 where 471 individuals of all four species of marine turtles were tagged. In 2007, nesting activity increased to 2,341 individuals, and this has been the highest number recorded to-date.
Nesting activities still continue to vary, explaining why GMTCS works closely with local fishermen, trawler owners, GDF Coast Guard and the ministry of agriculture’s fisheries department, to help minimise the risk of incidental capture of sea turtles in fishing nets, which is now one of the biggest threats to sea turtles.
GMTCS assisted the formation of four fisheries sub-committees in various sea turtle using communities to address the issue of sea turtle by-catch. A temporary no-netting zone is established yearly around main sea turtle nesting sites during the peak season, in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture.
Throughout the years, GMTCS has also established environmental camps that bring groups of youths, teachers and parents from schools in the north-western region of Guyana to learn and participate in the conservation efforts. Upon returning to their respective areas, participants have formed environmental clubs, and later hired as sea turtle wardens. They also currently occupy leadership roles in their communities.
Recognising that the success of conservation at Shell Beach will depend on the empowerment of local communities, as well as improving the social condition of local user communities, GMTCS is looking at sustainable economic projects for these communities, which have centred on handicraft, embroidery, organic products and tourism.
As communities in and around Shell Beach have limited options for income generation and thus often turn to other resources, including sea turtle meat for both income and subsistence, in 2004, GMTCS launched North West Organics (NWO), a geographic branding used to market products from user communities along the Waini River in the Shell Beach study area.
Communities of upper, middle and lower Waini, Warapoka and Hossorroro were involved in the harvesting and production of NWO products. This line of products currently includes Crabwood oil, handmade soaps, cassava cassareep and cocoa sticks. Profits from the sale of North West Organics have already contributed significantly to their development.
GMTCS has also assisted the formation of Moruca Embroidery, a sewing group of women and young girls from the Santa Rosa and Waramuri communities. The group produces hats, bags, pillow cases and tea towels embroidered with local flora and fauna, especially the four species of sea turtles. This project brings an alternative source of income into fishermen’s home.
Shell Beach is recognised nationally as an area warranting protected areas for its ecological and cultural diversity. After continuous advocacy by GMTCS, the Government of Guyana declared Shell Beach a protected area in October 2011.
Challenges
“Sea turtles continue to be harvested at Shell Beach, and sold in communities, but at a reduced rate. This makes education and awareness and continual engagement with communities a necessity. We have seen that there’s more awareness and appreciation of sea turtles, especially among youths in communities. Unfortunately, we have a lack of continuous funding. Currently, most of our activities are project based, which hampers effective long term planning and sustainability of activities undertaken. However, GMTCS will continue to focus on its thematic areas,” biodiversity specialist and GMTCS’ board member Michelle Kalamandeen pointed out.
She noted that with accidental capture by fishing nets the main threat to sea turtles, it is vital to recognise that the sea turtles nesting in Guyana travels throughout the region (some of Guyana’s turtles travel as far as British Columbia and Mexico) and therefore there is need for protection in the ocean as well as the land.
“Everyone has a role to play in sea turtle conservation. Don’t purchase sea turtle products, including their meat, eggs, or items made from their shells or skin. Buy local products that will improve the livelihoods of user communities. This will help communities bring income into their homes so there is less reliance on sea turtle harvesting. For fishermen, it’s important to regularly (3-4 hours) check their nets to ensure sea turtles are not accidentally caught and drowned. Guyana has a major problem with garbage, which often finds its way to Shell Beach. As such, it is important not to dump plastics and garbage into the oceans or on beaches. Leatherbacks can mistake plastic items for jellyfish –a favourite food – which can block air passages and lead to death,” she explained.
Kalamandeen urges all to support the ‘No Netting Zones’ at Shell Beach, which are areas along the beach where peak nesting of sea turtles occur.
On April 18, 2013, GMTCS received the Caribbean Tourism Organization/Travel mole award for Biodiversity Conservation for its outstanding conservation work.
“Tell your friendly sea turtle rangers of sea turtles trapped in nets, or persons hunting sea turtles or poaching their eggs. If you see or find a sea turtle in distress, call 686-8951. Join the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society Facebook page to keep updated on projects and activities you may be able to engage in,” Kalamandeen recommended. (Information by Michelle Kalamandeen)
