This is an appeal to all villagers in the North East of Tobago to actively join and participate in NEST’s sea-turtle conservation and eco-tourism program.
If you are from or live near the communities of: Roxborough, Betsy’s Hope, Belle Garden, Delaford, Speyside, Charlotteville, Hermitage, L’ Anse Fourmi, Parrot Hall and Parlatuvier you may be aware that the three species of sea-turtles have been nesting on your beaches for centuries. Unfortunately (and illegally) man has been hunting these sea-turtles whilst they nest on the beach and this has contributed to their near extinction.
About NEST:
NEST is the Charlotteville-based sea turtle conservation CBO (Community Based Organization) formed in 2004 by Ms Patricia Turpin, Ms Heather Pepe, Ms Kitty Pepe and supported in its formation by founding members of Save Our Sea Turtles (SOS) Tobago Mr Gervais Alkins and Ms Tanya Clovis . It was officially registered in 2008.
NEST’s mission is to monitor and protect the sea turtles; whilst at the same time striving to encourage the ecological and economic wealth that the turtles bring to the local community. In time we hope to establish a sea-turtle eco-tourism product in the North East of Tobago by training members to conduct sea-turtle nesting tours and educational talks to Hotels, small guesthouses as well as to the island’s educational institutions.
NEST needs members who will take part in beach patrols. The beaches that are the highest priority are Dead Bay (Bloody Bay), L’ Anse Fourmi Bay (L’ Anse Fourmi), Hermitage Bay, Cambleton Bay and Man ‘O’ War Bay (Charlotteville); We do know that Speyside, Delaford, Belle Garden, Roxborough and Argyle have sea-turtle nesting beaches but we do not have proper nesting counts. With your support we can change this.
Your help involvement will make a real difference!
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