Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Barbados - WIDECAST

CEP Technical Report No. 12
beach was defined as one for which some sand remains exposed at even the highest tides. This
figure exaggerates the number of beaches actually used by turtles for nesting, since it does not
take into account the presence of housing developments nor the amount of vegetation on the
beaches. However, because hawksbills do sometimes nest on highly public beaches, all beaches
that were suitable as defined above were included in the assessment of the total amount of
potential nesting beach available. On the west and south coasts, changes in beach width can be
dramatic between nesting and hatching, although most nesting activity has ceased by the time the
largest swells arrive.
Information on nesting activity in 1987 was collected by two methods. First, as part of a
national information campaign, the public was asked to call a telephone number provided for the
purpose of reporting observations (night or day) of turtle nesting or hatching activity. Second,
volunteers from the Barbados Environmental Association conducted a series of early morning
beach surveys during the peak breeding season (June-August) (section 4.291). Reports of
hawksbill nesting came from most beaches along the west and south coasts of Barbados, as well
as some sheltered east coast beaches (Map 4). Data combined from nesting reports and beach
patrols indicated that 120-362 hawksbill nestings occurred (Horrocks et al., 1987; see also
section 4.291). Gravid hawksbills in Antigua deposit up to six clutches of eggs per season
(Corliss et al., 1989), but the modal (most common) number is five clutches (Jim Richardson,
University of Georgia, pers. comm.). Based on an average of five nests per female, an estimated
24-72 hawksbills nested in Barbados in 1987.
Public awareness and participation in the monitoring of sea turtle nesting activity has
increased substantially since 1987. In 1989, 1990, and 1991, the number of hawksbill nests
reported by residents was 71, 60, and 91, respectively (Figure 3). Analysis of the timing and
placement of these nests suggests that 37, 25, and 47 females nested in Barbados in 1989, 1990,
and 1991, respectively (see also section 4.291). In addition to valuable input from residents, 1.5
km of beach on the south coast from the Barbados Hilton east to Ocean View, where it was
claimed that turtles nested in high numbers, was surveyed each morning throughout three
consecutive nesting seasons (1989-1991) by a volunteer as part of the sea turtle conservation
activities of Bellairs Research Institute. The results of this survey indicated there were 5-7
hawksbills nesting annually on this stretch of beach. Assuming a remigration interval similar to
Antigua (Corliss et al. 1990), an estimated total of only 15 individual females nested on this
beach over the entire three year period. Although these numbers are small, in the context of the
estimated size of the Barbados population, this area warrants protective measures.
It is important for beach surveys to continue in order to further define essential habitat in
Barbados, to monitor trends in nesting numbers, and to minimize threats to nesting turtles and
their eggs. Systematic surveys should be initiated at beaches where hawksbills are known to nest
and where the illegal killing of turtles is reported to occur; e.g., Long Beach on the south coast, a
strip of beach between Heywoods and Six Mens on the northwest coast, and Bath on the east
coast. Early morning surveys could be conducted by volunteers, but this would require
collaboration between several organisations, including Bellairs Research Institute, Barbados
Environmental Association, Barbados National Trust, the secondary schools, etc. Bellairs
Research Institute (Lead Organisation for WIDECAST in Barbados) or Barbados Environmental
Association could co-ordinate activities and provide training for volunteers. Alternatively, inter-
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