Adventures from Elle

Oracabessa, a Jamaican coastal town and Ian Fleming’s favourite getaway, has become a focal point in Caribbean sea turtle conservation. Through the efforts of the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project, the survival rate of hawksbill sea turtle nests has increased from 37% in 2005 to an impressive 80% today by providing protection from predators and human interference. Each year, between 12,000 to 20,000 hatchlings are released into the Caribbean Sea, contributing to the recovery of this critically endangered species. I finally had the rare opportunity to join a baby sea turtle release earlier this month, so here’s how to enjoy a similar experience and support the work of the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project.

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What To Expect At A Baby Sea Turtle Release

The Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project was formed in 2005, and operates in collaboration with the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, established in 2010. This sanctuary lies on the edge of the Cayman Trough, and serves as a marine protected area encompassing coral reefs, mangroves, and beaches like James Bond Beach. These habitats are crucial for the turtles’ nesting and the broader marine ecosystem. Hawksbill turtles reach maturity at age 20, and can live to 100 years old. Hawksbill turtles are highly migratory, and those born in Jamaica may travel as far as to the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Africa based on sea currents. However, no matter how far and wide they travel, hawksbill turtles will always return to their birthplace using magnetism to nest and lay clutches of eggs. Nesting season typically occurs from April to August each year.

Melvyn ‘Turtleman’ Tennant, founder of the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project, and his team use this knowledge to find these intelligent reptiles and their nests on the Gibraltar Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary. For a contribution of JM$1,000, they educate excited visitors about Jamaica’s turtles, including interesting facts such as what temperature determines the gender of each nest. After this comes the best part: an environmentalist digs up a nest with the cutest wriggling hatchlings. Visitors are entrusted to wash and count the turtles, following which they are carefully released onto the beach to paddle their own way to the Caribbean Sea. We were blessed to watch over 200 baby turtles crawl to the ocean: some faster, some slower than others. All our hatchlings were at full maturity, but the Project had incubators on hand just in case any were not yet ready for their maiden voyage. Over time, our sandy footprints on the beach were replaced by cute baby turtle tracks.

Fun Fact: Batabano is a Caymanian term referring to the sandy tracks left by sea turtles as they crawl ashore to nest, and lends its name to Cayman’s Carnival.

Thanks for teaching me this, @lifestylenliv!

How to Join A Baby Sea Turtle Release

By now, you’re probably asking the question: how do I sign up for a baby sea turtle release? For those interested in supporting or learning more about these conservation efforts, the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram. That’s how I found out this one was happening. Turn on post notifications as these releases are very spontaneous and fill up in minutes! Pre-registration is done for two reasons: to restrict the number of participants at each release to ensure safety for the turtles, and to grant access to the Gibraltar Beach. Public access to Gibraltar Beach is now restricted by BESSA, an 86-unit luxury complex which sprawls across eight acres of seaside and river-front property.

Other quick facts:

• Who can participate? Everyone, all ages.
• Cost: A contribution of JM$1,000 per person (only cash accepted)
• When: Based on turtle nesting season, the best months to participate in a sea turtle hatchling release are August & September. Releases usually take place in the evening, and last about one hour.
• Where: Gibraltar Beach in Oracabessa, near Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
• What to Wear: Shorts or swimwear, a broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sandals or flipflops.
• What to Bring: cash, drinking water, a folding chair if you’d like to sit during the briefing.
• Take lots of pictures, but please remember to be gentle and careful with the turtles. They are slippery when wet, and love to wiggle.

Wrap Up

I still remember the joy I felt watching hawksbill turtles glide in and out of the water at the Blue Lagoon in 2019, so I shudder to think that my children and their children may miss out on witnessing turtles in the wild if they remain critically endangered or become extinct. All sea turtles in Jamaica, including the Hawksbill, Green, Leatherback, and Loggerhead are protected under the Wild Life Protection Act which means that the hunting, harming or possession of sea turtles, their eggs, or parts of their bodies is illegal. Report suspected illegal activities to NEPA, and support conservationist groups such as the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project which aim to restore sea turtle populations to what they once were. Have you ever participated in a baby sea turtle release, or would you like to? Sound off in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

• Animal Farm near Montego Bay
• Why I Don’t Visit Dolphinariums
• The Black River Crocodile Safari
• Beware Of These 3 Jamaican Seafoods

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