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Bonaire Sea Turtles

Bonaire Sea Turtles have many friends.
The Sea Turtle Club Bonaire (STCB) was formed in 1991 by a group committed to further preserving marine life on Bonaire. As a non-profit organization their main goal is to conserve the life of Bonaire sea turtles from extinction.

Using guidance from the WIDECAST Turtle Recovery Action Plan the STCB initiated their first project in 1992 in the monitoring of sea turtles in cohabitation with public sightings, dive schools and law enforcement agencies in recording the number of turtles present in the waters surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.

Marked as a great success, the SCTB was able to document several species of juvenile, sub-adult and adult sea turtles present on the island.

STCB

In 1998, the club’s name officially changed to Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire to meet projected tasks ahead.
Gaining wide success and public awareness, the STCB has made great strides in creating a data base for the study and preservation of sea turtles and their nesting grounds for oversight in their protection and is considered a leader in their cause.

With a wide focus in helping establish and enforce the protection of the turtles and their habitat, the STCB brings awareness to the public regarding the laws protecting sea turtles.

Since the entire coast of Bonaire delegated a Marine Park, the laws concerning preservation of all sea life are very clear.

While the club is adamant about penalties assessed for breaking these, one of their goals is to make these rules readily available to all residents and visitors to Bonaire. With strong alliance to the preservation, the members of the STCB are very involved with enforcement and follow-up for those caught breaking the rules.

Tracking

Having grown from a few dedicated individuals concentrating on a project, the STCB has excelled in becoming a large, internationally research facility utilizing the latest technology in the study and conservation efforts.
While one project includes using tracking devises, the STCB has been instrumental in tracking turtles from their departure and re-entry of Bonaire waters in relation to nesting.

While tracking is a major research objection, the STCB also provides assistance in the rescue of stranded turtles. With assistance from the public and divers, the STCB is readily available to assist with just a call. Having associated responsibility with preservation, the group has been instrumental in working with the Curacao Seaquarium staff for the transport of injured sea turtles.

Growing in world success, the STCB satellite tracking program has now been featured on nature editions such as National Geographic as well as a monthly educational program as a result of a grant in working with the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance.

Updated monthly and made public, tracking of two Bonaire sea turtles has become a fascination to some.

Bonaire Nature

While the STCB has increased in size and abilities, the goal statement has remained the same. From their website, http://www.bonairenature.com their mission and goal statements are fundamental in their cause.

Their goals are as follows:

Building a strong case for conservation through applied research;
Implementing proactive management and conservation actions to protect Bonaire sea turtles and their environments;
Communicate effectively to enhance awareness of conservation issues;
Use education, as well as training and promotion, to enhance public awareness of STCB issues;
Developing strategic partnerships and networks to protect Bonaire's turtles locally and throughout their migratory ranges.

As a team dedicated to protection of sea turtles and their nesting areas, the progress made since their inception in 1991 has made remarkable leaps and bounds, while watching over and enforcing the laws that protect these endangered creatures.

Contact Information

STCB PO Box 492 Kralendijk, Bonaire Netherlands Antilles phone (+599) 717 2225 E-mail: info@bonaireturtles.org

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