
Government all talk and no action to save turtle hatchlings – Will you help?
by Lani Edghill – Environmental Planner & Green Business Barbados Coordinator for the Future Centre Trust
I live on the beach in Hastings to the western end of the new boardwalk. We are currently in the middle of turtle nesting season and at least 25-30 nests are located on the beach to the east of where I live (in front of where the old Ocean View Hotel used to be). The boardwalk bisects this beach and as a result a ditch was formed on the land side of the boardwalk. Not only is it a hazard to nesting turtles and hatchlings but also to children who could fall and hurt themselves.
As part of being an ethical planner, even if it is not my job, I see it as my duty to bring these issues to light in the public forum. In addition it is also important that I work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that partnerships are forged in order to move the coordination process forward.
In an attempt to mitigate this issue I contacted Dr. Julia Harrocks who is the coordinator for the Barbados Sea Turtle Project at the University of the West Indies and Dr. Lorna Inniss deputy director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit. Continue reading →