Thanks to Carvel and Bobby who took a group of turtle monitors from Bluefields, St. Mary and Portland along with member of JET and other turtle monitoring groups for a walk from Billy's Bay to Harvey's beach. We were so luck to see about 30 hatchlings come out of one of the nests. Here is a small clip of the turtles last few steps before it made it to the sea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFPNd6P2IU4

I should also say how very proud the people of Treasure Beach should be when it comes to the preservation of these animals. We heard from some of the turtle monitors how terrible the poaching is in other parts of the island. We are blessed to live in such a forward thinking and conscientious community. Carvel, Sally and Bobby have done such a great job on spreading the word that now when anyone sees one, instead of capturing it, they are now enthusiastic participants in preserving it.

If the hatchling in this vid is a female and can make it to adulthood, it will be approximately 30 years before she comes up to nest on the beach that she was born on.

Hear hear! Portland is my other home in Jamaica, and I am delighted that Treasure Beach is sharing its hard-won turtle wisdom with Portlanders. The little hatchlings are making their way across the sea and the Internet, and the global ecology is thanking you for your efforts.

Big thanks to Jamaica Environmental Trust (JET) for organizing an exchange meeting with The Portland Environmental Protection Association, Bluefields Bay Fishermen's Friendly Society, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, National Environmental and Planning Agency, The Free Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society, and The Treasure Beach Turtle Group.



It was a great meeting where each group was updated on what others are doing across the island to save the sea turtles. Information was shared, problems were identified and solutions were discussed.

We were so very proud of the Treasure Beach Turtle Group who had recorded the most sightings of nests by far with a total of number of records taken of 87, 9 attempted nests, 72 unconfirmed nests, and 6 confirmed nests. A total of 7,105 eggshells were counted from nests that had hatched! And the season is not done yet!



Congratulations to all involved especially Sally who started the Treasure Beach Turtle Group, Carvel and Bobby who are out there every day collecting this important data, and all those who are supporting us in the efforts to save the turtles.

Wishing you continued success!

Well Done and Many Thanks!!

Keep it up you all , they sure need help to stay alive.