Ascension : TURTLE WATCHING
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 15.01.2004 (Article Archived on 29.01.2004)

Every Year, male and female green sea turtles migrate from Brazil to Ascension, a distance of over 2000 km.

Every Year, male and female green sea turtles migrate from Brazil to Ascension, a distance of over 2000 km.  Here they mate and the females crawl ashore to lay their eggs in the sand.  Green turtles are classified as endangered and are protected under local and international law.

Nesting started in November and is now escalating to its peak, where in March up to 100 females come ashore to nest each night.  Once the turtle has dug a large pit with all of her flippers she digs a chamber with her hind flippers into which she lays approximately 120 eggs.  When she reaches this stage she sits virtually motionless.  This is the only time when turtles should be closely observed.

The best time to see nesting females is between 10pm and 2am, although there are often a few females still on the beach at dawn.  This is a great opportunity to see them close up without disturbing them by using torches.

Guidelines for watching turtles

At night on the beach please adhere to the following code of conduct to reduce the level of disturbance:

Ø    Do not approach the turtles whilst they are on their way up the beach.

Ø    Always use minimal torch light, turtle watching is best on a moonlit night.

Ø    Walk the beach looking for turtle tracks, these will be about 1 metre wide.  Follow the tracks carefully and quietly to locate the turtle.

Ø    Avoid approaching the turtle until they are well under way with their nest excavation, the earlier in the nesting process the, easier the turtle is disturbed.  When the turtle is laying (sitting still after a long period of throwing sand) you can approach her quietly and use minimal torchlight to observe both her and her eggs.

Ø    Avoid excess noise and or sudden movements.

Ø    It is best never to touch a turtle and certainly no-one should ride on a turtle’s back.

Ø    Only use flash photography when a turtle is laying her eggs and take pictures from her rear or side to avoid blinding or disorientating her, especially when she is returning to the sea.

Ø    Bright lights will attract hatchlings away from the sea and increase mortality.  If you are on the beach or using a beach hut at night, please avoid using bright lights.

Ø    Do not have bonfires or barbecues on the beach during the main nesting or hatching season (December-July).

Ø    Remember to take your litter home with you.

Ø    Drivers are asked to please dip your lights when approaching the beach.

Watching turtles laying or hatching at night is a remarkable experience, PLEASE RESPECT THEM.

Guided turtle watching is run five nights per week except on Mondays and Thursdays starting at 9pm from the Conservation Centre.  The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and your guides will be Robert and Jacqui from the Ascension Turtle Group.

Please book with the Obsidian Hotel (tele 6246) or the Conservation Centre (6359).  A charge of £5 per person over 12 years will be made for seeing nesting turtles and £3 for those just wanting to see a turtle.

For more information call in at the Conservation Centre – open from 10 am           to 12 noon Mondays to Saturdays.