BELIZE TURTLE WATCH PROGRAM
The underlying goal of the Turtle Watch Program is to establish baseline data on sea turtle abundance, so that changes over time, especially those caused by climate change, can be measured. Each activity in the Sea Turtle Census has been designed to increase our knowledge and form a base for which future studies can be compared. If you live along the coast we need your help, please Get Involved and Submit A Report of your observations!
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The Sea Turtle Census includes all observations of sea turtles made on sandy beaches or at sea, and the turtles can be alive or dead. Marine guides can Adopt A Reef and coastal property owners can Adopt A Beach. The Sea Turtle Census relies on interested business and individuals to become supporters and volunteers. Please consider Adopting A Beach or Adopting A Reef today and help us gather information on sea turtle abundance in Belize!
SANDY BEACHES
If you live along the coast and have a sandy beach it is very likely sea turtles will nest on your beach and we need your help to learn how important it is to sea turtles. Adopt A Beach today, and beginning collecting data for the Sea Turtle Census. Sea turtles generally come up at night to nest so you'll need to walk the beach during in the morning to look for tracks up the beach. All observations can be submitted online through the Nesting Beach Observation online reporting system. Results will be compiled IN-WATER OR AT SEA
Some sea turtles are known to inhabit specific dive sites, while boaters may encounter a leatherback sea turtle while travelling at sea. In order to determine the range and abundance of sea turtles that depend on the reef systems in Belize, we are asking for marine guides to Adopt A Reef and submit their sightings of sea turtles through our In-Water Turtle Observation online reporting system. All divers and snorkelers are asked to submit ALL photos of sea turtles to our Photo ID project so we can track individual turtles. |
STRANDINGS
Anyone who observes a stranded sea turtle -could be alive or dead - floating at sea or washed ashore, should take pictures and report to the Belize Fisheries Department at 224-4552 and submit the report through our Stranded Sea Turtles online reporting system. If the turtle is alive it is important to get the sea turtle to the nearest Fisheries Department office so the turtle's health can be assessed and rehabilitated.
Anyone who observes a stranded sea turtle -could be alive or dead - floating at sea or washed ashore, should take pictures and report to the Belize Fisheries Department at 224-4552 and submit the report through our Stranded Sea Turtles online reporting system. If the turtle is alive it is important to get the sea turtle to the nearest Fisheries Department office so the turtle's health can be assessed and rehabilitated.
Coastal property owners and resorts can Adopt A Beach. Photo George Cowdrey
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Dive centers and marine guides can Adopt A Reef. Photo Linda Searle
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Stranded sea turtles can be alive or dead and should be reported immediately. Photo courtesy Tricia Wipfler
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Every sea turtle counts, participate in the Annual Sea Turtle Census
and help increase our knowledge and build our database on sea turtles in Belize!
and help increase our knowledge and build our database on sea turtles in Belize!
Founding Partners
ECOMAR, in partnership with the Belize Fisheries Department, with support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), the Gulf & Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI), and collaboration among members of the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network, working together to promote sea turtle conservation.
