Abu Dhabi: Turtles are coming home to Saadiyat Island to hatch.
With the annual nesting season for hawksbill sea turtles just getting under way (late March to June), authorities are taking steps to protect the coastal dune system of Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi.
Residents hitting the beach have been urged to take extreme care not to disturb turtle nests, and also report to authorities if they spot any.
“Residents should report any turtle nest findings to the nearest beach-front property, or to the Saadiyat Beach security immediately. Also if they spot any lost hatchlings, they should place them back in the sea,” Dr Nathalie Staelens, Head of Environmental Services at TDIC, told XPRESS.
Saadiyat Beach residents have also been asked to switch off outdoor lights when not needed, close their curtains at night to minimise light spill because strong lights and noise may prevent female turtles from coming onto the beach to lay eggs.
For babies’ sake
“Similarly, strong lights and noise may distract the baby turtles causing them to head in the wrong direction and away from the sea,” said Dr Staelens.
She said TDIC is also taking further measures including lighting guidelines and assessments of operational developments. For example, during nesting season, night lighting is reduced to aid the baby turtles’ orientation towards the sea; nests are logged and avoided by beach maintenance crew and all beach furniture is moved off the beach at night.
The hawksbill turtle is listed as a critically endangered species as its population declined by more than 80 per cent worldwide over the last three generations due to habitat destruction and poaching. As part of the TDIC’s hawksbill turtle conservation programme, every year several nests are identified and steps taken to ensure their safety.
Since the start of the programme in early 2010, some 650 eggs have hatched successfully on Saadiyat Island. The last nesting season was between April and September 2013. The hatching period is approximately 50 to 70 days after nesting. Therefore this year, the whole nesting period may extend through to September.
Residents of Saadiyat Island and regular beachgoers said they are looking forward to seeing turtle hatchlings. “It is a miracle that my kids and I look forward to every year,” said Emma Johnes, an Australian housewife.
“Kids are really excited when I told them turtles would have travelled millions of kilometres before they return to Saadiyat to nest. We are planning some turtle walks along the beach in the coming weeks and try to spot turtle nests,” said the 39 year old expat.
Beach-front properties at Saadiyat are also conducting events to raise public awareness about protection of hawksbill turtles.
For instance, Monte-Carlo Beach Club, in collaboration with TDIC and the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), is organising a family event called ‘Discover the world of turtles’ on March 29 to mark the beginning of the nesting season on Saadiyat.
Dos & Don’ts:
when you see a turtle or a nest
Report to the nearest beach-front property or to Saadiyat Security on 02-403 6393
Keep a safe distance from nesting turtles so as not to disturb them
Wait for Saadiyat Security or a TDIC representative to provide details of your observations
Place any lost turtle hatchlings in the sea when you come across them, and report to Saadiyat security immediately
Don’t frighten the nesting turtles by coming too near
Don’t wipe out the turtle tracks or evidence of digging activities
Don’t go near the nest or enter the fenced area around known nests
Don’t walk on the beach after sunset
