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On the morning of Wednesday April 30, traces of leatherback turtle egg-laying were observed on Gouverneur beach. "While the egg-laying season for hawksbill and green turtles is over, that of the leatherback turtle has begun", explains the Agence territoriale de l'environnement. A safety perimeter has been set up on the beach around the nesting area to protect the nest. We count very few leatherback turtle nests on the island," notes the ATE. As with all turtle nests detected, we urge you to respect the perimeter that has been set up, and to observe the rules of behavior that will help the eggs to develop properly. "As a result, the Agency specifies that dogs are strictly forbidden on all the island's beaches. The first reason is health-related, the second is to protect biodiversity. Curiously, dogs can harm the nest by digging up the eggs. If you see any turtle, sea turtle or wriggler tracks on the beach, please contact ATE by telephone (0690 31 70 73).
In the presence of a sea turtle on the beach, the ATE reminds you to keep your distance, turn off the lights if the scene is at night, and make as little noise as possible.
The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world. It can reach a total length of 2 meters or more, and weigh around 400 kg. Since 1982, only eight leatherback nests have been recorded on the beaches of Saint-Barthélemy, two of which resulted in egg-laying.
