The green sea turtle nesting season is off to an early start with the surprise discovery of the first nest last week.
The Department of Environment, in a Facebook post Tuesday, announced that its Turtle Team had discovered the nest.
“This is the second earliest green nest recorded since monitoring began in 1998; they usually start nesting in mid-June. The earliest ever recorded was on 21st May in 2013, just 4 days earlier than this one,” the DoE said in its post.
The first green sea turtle nest follows the discovery of the first loggerhead turtle nest back in April.
The DoE says green turtle nests can be identified by the deep pit and mound they leave in the sand, and the tracks also differ from loggerhead or hawksbill turtles.
Now that the turtle nesting season will be getting into full swing in the coming weeks, the DoE is urging residents to help “our endangered sea turtles to thrive”.
It has issued guidelines to the public with the message that “together we can give our precious turtles the fighting chance they deserve”.
The DoE has warned that mating turtles in the water should never be approached.
“Give them at least 50ft (15m) so they are not disturbed,” the DoE said.
Beachside property owners are asked to keep their beachside lights off throughout the season “unless you have turtle friendly lights installed to prevent disorientation”.
The DoE is also advising that chairs be either removed or stacked away from the beach in the evenings so the beach is clear of obstacles.
“If you see a nesting turtle, do not approach and do not shine any lights on her as she may abandon her nesting attempt,” the DoE added.
It reminded that sea turtles, their nests and eggs are fully protected in the Cayman Islands and should not be touched or taken at any time.
The DoE is asking the public to report suspected turtle tracks, sea turtle hatchlings or any suspicious behaviour to our 24-7 Turtle Hotline 938-NEST (938-6378).
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