Grenada’s beaches and coastal waters support nesting and foraging aggregations of endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and of critically endangered hawksbills turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). During the 2021 nesting season, Ocean Spirits completed a two-week survey of the Hawksbill turtle nesting population in preparation for a larger, longer term project.
The pilot study defined standardised ‘new to Grenada’ methodologies for restraint morphometrics and venepuncture methodologies which are applicable on land and on a small remote island location.
Surveys of biodiversity of invasive species, and of hatchling success rates, were also performed. All turtles encountered were fitted with Monel ID tags and PIT (Passive Integrated Transponders) tags, with biometric data and blood samples also collected for genetic characterisation and health and disease analysis.
Nightly surveys also provided protection against illegal egg harvesting.
