Turtle Experts Advocate for International Conservation

Turtle researchers in the South West have called for cross-border protection efforts, following a new study that revealed female turtles spend only about a fifth of their time within conservation zones. Ecologists at Exeter University attached satellite tags to 10 nesting turtles on the Caribbean island of Montserrat to track their movements after egg-laying. The turtles, which typically nest multiple times annually, traveled to various locations across the Caribbean, with some journeying over 1,000km (621 miles). Jack Wiggins, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter’s Penryn Campus, stated that the study demonstrated that “conservation has to be done co-operatively, across international borders”. Researchers noted that turtles spent just over 20% of their time in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) during migration and foraging. Mr. Wiggins further explained: “About 100 turtles – mostly green and some hawksbill – nest each year from June to November in Montserrat.” He described these numbers as “modest” but emphasized that the populations were “regionally important”. The study indicated that turtles visited countries including the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Guadeloupe. Dr. Nicola Weber, also from the University of Exeter, commented that sea turtles experienced a “varied level of protection” throughout the region. Dr. Webber stated that turtles faced “a multitude of threats, including legal and illegal fishing, habitat destruction and the impacts of climate change”. She added, “Our study highlights the importance of Montserrat for sea turtles, and helps to identify focal points for protection in a changing climate.” Montserrat has recently collaborated with researchers to create a Marine Turtle Action Plan to guide its conservation efforts. Daniel Edwards, from Montserrat’s government, said the plan highlighted “the vital role of our island as a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles” and the “shared responsibility” Caribbean nations had to protect turtles. He affirmed: “We remain committed to safeguarding critical habitats, fostering regional collaboration, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change and human activities to ensure the survival of these species for future generations.”