Photo Linda Searle/ECOMAR
ADOPT A BEACH
The Adopt A Beach Program relies on the support of coastal property owners and protected areas managers to adopt beaches and keep them turtle friendly and monitor their beach for signs of sea turtle activity. We are also seeking support for members of the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network to conduct regular nesting beach surveys of critical beaches. One of our goals is to get ALL beaches adopted, so that we can document the number of turtles nesting in Belize. Thank you for your interest in the Adopt A Beach program. Please read on and see how you can help Protect Turtles Today, for Tomorrow!
Why Adopt A Beach?
Sea turtles nest on sandy beaches throughout Belize from Ambergris Caye in the north all the way to the Sapodilla Cayes in southern Belize. Mainland Belize from the Sibun River to Mullins River supports an important nesting colony of the endangered hawksbill sea turtle. The sandy beach from Monkey River to Punta Negra is likely important for nesting turtles but the level of nesting which occurs is unknown.
|
Belize has hundreds of miles of sandy beaches that sea turtles nest on each year. We need YOUR help to monitor them regularly for sea turtle activity. The data collected by volunteers will contribute valuable data on nesting sea turtles in Belize, including:
Resorts are encouraged to share the program details with their guests. Destinations around the world become very popular when turtle watching activities are included! |
Adopt A Beach Activities
One of the many beautiful beaches in Belize!
|
MONITOR THE BEACH
It's very easy to participate. Each day your Adopted Beach is monitored results can be recorded on the Adopt A Beach form, or the data can be submitted online. If you record your observations on a form, at the end of each week the data should be submitted by scanning or taking a picture of the form and sending it to ECOMAR. CONDUCT BEACH CLEANUPS Trash can result in the death of adults & hatchlings. Keeping YOUR beach clean of debris and trash is an important part of keeping your beach "Turtle Friendly." Keeping your beach clean helps prevents accidental entanglment & keep trash from returning to the sea REPORT OBSERVATIONS When turtle tracks or nests are sighted we'll notify the nearest member of the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network so they can send a trained biologist to inspect the tracks and nest in order to determine what type of turtle nested on your beach. BE PATIENT & WAIT! About 60 days after a sea turtle nests her hatchlings will emerge from the sand. This is a very special event to experience and you can alert your guests to a most spectacular reward, the hatching of 100+ baby sea turtles! |
A key activity is to walk the beach each morning, especially during peak nesting season. Caretakers that rake the beach can also take on this roll of monitoring sea turtle activity on adopted beaches.
BEST PRACTICES TO KEEPING YOUR BEACH TURTLE FRIENDLY
|
PRESERVE LITTORAL FOREST
Problem: Higher sand temperatures result in more female turtles. Solutions: Do not cut down natural vegetation in coastal areas. Or replant to keep beaches cool! KEEP YOUR BEACH TURTLE FRIENDLY Problem: Nesting turtles can get trapped in beachside furniture. Solution: Keep obstacles out of the way! USE TURTLE FRIENDLY LIGHTING Problem: Bright lights lure hatchlings from the sea which can result in their death. Solutions: Coastal lights should shine upward & use a deflector to prevent light from reaching the ground. Or replace bulbs with amber lights, which do not attract hatchlings. If you have a nest on your property, be sure to turn off lights when nest will hatch! |
|
USE TURTLE FRIENDLY SHORELINE PROTECTION
Problem:
Nesting mothers cannot climb over sea walls to lay eggs.
Solution:
Consider using an alternative method to prevent shoreline erosion, like mangroves!
MONITOR PEOPLE/PETS ACTIVITY
Problem:
Nesting turtles are easily deterred from egg laying if disturbed by noise. Dogs are often the first to hear a sea turtle come ashore to nest at night.
Solutions:
Listen to your dogs; if alerted to a nesting turtle, be sure the barking does not deter the turtle from laying eggs. If you encounter a nesting turtle do not use flashlights or phones & do not approach the turtle.
CONDUCT BEACH CLEAN-UPS
Problem:
Trash can result in the death of adults & hatchlings.
Solution:
Keeping your beach clean helps prevents accidental entanglment & keep trash from returning to the sea!
REPORT SIGHTINGS & STRANDINGS
Be our eyes along the coast! Your report will be shared with the nearest Turtle Network member so they can respond. Your report will be included in our Annual Report!
Problem:
Nesting mothers cannot climb over sea walls to lay eggs.
Solution:
Consider using an alternative method to prevent shoreline erosion, like mangroves!
MONITOR PEOPLE/PETS ACTIVITY
Problem:
Nesting turtles are easily deterred from egg laying if disturbed by noise. Dogs are often the first to hear a sea turtle come ashore to nest at night.
Solutions:
Listen to your dogs; if alerted to a nesting turtle, be sure the barking does not deter the turtle from laying eggs. If you encounter a nesting turtle do not use flashlights or phones & do not approach the turtle.
CONDUCT BEACH CLEAN-UPS
Problem:
Trash can result in the death of adults & hatchlings.
Solution:
Keeping your beach clean helps prevents accidental entanglment & keep trash from returning to the sea!
REPORT SIGHTINGS & STRANDINGS
Be our eyes along the coast! Your report will be shared with the nearest Turtle Network member so they can respond. Your report will be included in our Annual Report!
Turtle tracks on the beach in Placencia. It's hard to miss these in the morning! Photo SEA
|
Sea turtle hatchlings makes tracks also, but are much smaller and resemble tracks made by hermit crabs. Photo Suitcases & Sippy Cups
|
NGOs & Protected Area Managers
Marine Biologist Kirah Forman using the Abney Level to measure the beach profile at Gales Point during a Turtle Workshop in 2011.
|
Nesting Beach CharacterizationHelp is also needed in the monitoring of changes in beach patterns throughout the year. If you would like to characterize your nesting beach you can work with the scientists from your nearest NGO and you can work with them and learn how to characterize the beach so that changes over time and impacts from climate change can be monitored. Nesting beach characterization kits will also be available to purchase if you would like to monitor the beach yourself on a regular basis.
|
