In 2007 we began conducted Point Scan surveys to identify which areas may have more turtle activity and also conducted benthic surveys to identify species composition.   In 2008 ex-turtle fishermen assisted in our surveys at Robinson Point using the traditional net capture method they used to employ before 2002 when all sea turtle received protection under the Belize Fishery Regulations. The big difference now is that these same turtles that used to make a living capturing and killing sea turtles, are making a living off protecting and studying them.  

With the help of these traditional fishermen, we have been able to provide additional evidence on the importance of this area as an adult foraging ground for sea turtles migrating from Mexico, Grand Cayman and Costa Rica where turtles travel upwards of 1500 miles between their nesting beaches in other countries, to their foraging grounds in Belize.  

We learned many things from this study, one being that the traditional turtle nets are not that effective, and that both adult green and hawksbill turtles utilize the area.  During the surveys we had one recapture which was a hawksbill turtle (XQ643) that tagged at San Lorenzo, Gulf Coast of Mexico.

Currently we are hoping to reestablish the study at Robinson Point, but are identifying funding for the study.  If you wish to make a contribution to our work at Robinson Point please complete our Donation Form and indicate your preference.  Thank you for your support! 

Between 2000-2001Belize City fish markets were visited daily to record sea turtle landings.  During this period we learned that many of the turtles sold at Belize City fish markets were harvested from within the Robinson Point area. 

Time spent visiting the fish markets in Belize City each day enabled us to liaise very closely with the fishing community just prior to when the turtle fishery was closed permanently in 2002 by the Belize Fisheries Department.

Tracking the migration paths of sea turtles via satellite telemetry has been extremely important to confirming the importance of Robinson Point as an adult feeding ground.

In 2000 a satellite transmitter was affixed to Zenit, a green turtle that nested at Costa Rica, and in about 35 days swam 1500 miles to her foraging ground at Robinson Point, Belize.   

In 2005 a satellite transmitter was affixed to Caytraveller, a green sea turtle that was actually raised at the Cayman Islands turtle farm, nested there, then migrated to her foraging ground at Robinson Point.

In 2010, Noel Eiley, turned in a metal flipper with #70553 to ECOMAR for the reward offered by CCC, reporting he had taken it off a turtle that had gotten caught in a gill net at Robinson Point.  Upon checking with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, we learned that this turtle received this tag on July 25, 1997, and while she had been observed nesting again that year, they have not recorded her nesting on the beach since then.  Thirteen years later however, she was encountered in her foraging ground at Robinson Point. 

Flipper  tags have also contributed greatly to our knowledge on the importance of the Robinson Point area as a foraging ground for migrating sea turtles.  

Fishermen interviewed had provided anecdotal reports of finding and returning metal flipper tags to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, formerly Archie Carr's Caribbean Conservation Corps (CCC), for a reward. 

In 2011, we received further evidence that the Robinson Point are is important foraging ground for migrating sea turtles. In 2000-2001 we also promoted the Save A Sea Turtle Campaign and raised funds from tourists to purchase turtles from fishermen before they were sold at the fish market.  About a dozen turtles were saved in and in 2011 we received confirmation from the Sea Turtle Conservancy that one of the turtles we save nested in Costa Rica in 2009.  Thanks to those of you who contributed to this program, this is truly a miraculous story for one very luck lady and her offspring!  

PO Box 1234
Belize City, Belize
TEL: + (501) 223-3022
CEL: + (501) 671-3483
Email: linda@ecomarbelize.org

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