The BVI SEE Turtle Survey
The SEE TURTLE SURVEY is one of several ongoing projects led by ARK to fulfil the primary goal of the BVI Sea Turtle Programme, to recover BVI foraging and nesting sea turtles to sustainable levels.
Our 20-year in-water turtle tagging programme (capture-tag-recapture) has identified a significant decline in our young resident hawksbill sea turtles feeding in the BVI, while our teenage green sea turtles may be on the rise. Our monitoring sites are limited to 6 existing “hot spots”, but there may be new areas where turtles prefer to feed. The only way that we can cost-effectively broaden the spatial extent where we regularly monitor is to engage with the yachting and diving community.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
It is a very simple survey, if you see a turtle, let us know by filling out the survey here.
If you can get a good photo of the turtle, even better. This will help us positively identify the species and help with an “inventory” to identify resident turtles.
Our 20-year in-water turtle tagging programme (capture-tag-recapture) has identified a significant decline in our young resident hawksbill sea turtles feeding in the BVI, while our teenage green sea turtles may be on the rise. Our monitoring sites are limited to 6 existing “hot spots”, but there may be new areas where turtles prefer to feed. The only way that we can cost-effectively broaden the spatial extent where we regularly monitor is to engage with the yachting and diving community.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
It is a very simple survey, if you see a turtle, let us know by filling out the survey here.
If you can get a good photo of the turtle, even better. This will help us positively identify the species and help with an “inventory” to identify resident turtles.
TURTLE IDENTIFICATION
SOURCE OF DRAWINGS: FAO
Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)
The common name "hawksbill" refers to their hawk-like beak, and they are one of the smaller species of sea turtles. They have two pairs of prefrontal scales on their head and their scutes (pieces of shell that make up the top of the shell, the carapace) overlap (imbricated). Like other turtles, they have visible claws. Their shell is still highly prized for the distinctive mottled brown, yellow and reddish orange shell.
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Green (Chelonia mydas)
Greens are easily distinguished by their single pair of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes) rather than two pairs, as found on other sea turtles. The head is small and blunt, with a serrated jaw. The scutes are non-overlapping. All flippers have 1 visible claw. The carapace colour varies from pale to very dark green and plain to very brilliant yellow, brown and green tones with radiating (starburst) stripes.
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Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
The head of a loggerhead is very large with heavy strong jaws. The heart-shaped, reddish-brown carapace has large, non-overlapping, rough scutes with 5 lateral scutes. Front flippers are short and thick with 2 claws, while the rear flippers can have 2 or 3 claws. These are the least common sea turtle found in the BVI.
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