Loggerhead turtle rescued from man-made groyne
(CNS): A female loggerhead turtle that tried to nest on a beach became trapped in a man-made groyne and was rescued by members of the public and conservation officers Tuesday morning. The Department of Environment said this was an unfortunate example of why man-made structures on nesting beaches are so dangerous for these endangered species.
CNS understands that this loggerhead was trapped in the Beach Bay area, an active nesting beach where developers have planning permission for a hotel that will include more man-made structures near the coast, putting these iconic marine creatures at further risk.
Loggerhead nesting season is now underway, and green sea turtles are expected to start nesting in the coming weeks. However, there is a growing amount of threats to the animals as they return to the beach to lay their eggs and for the babies once they hatch.
In this latest incident, the rescued turtle had attempted to nest on the beach but went back to sea along the concrete pathway. She then either crawled or fell into the rocks, getting herself wedged in a crevice in the groyne. This has been in place for several decades, but an increasing number of structures have added to the hazards faced by these endangered species as they try to survive.
“This is an unfortunate example of why man-made structures on nesting beaches are so dangerous to turtles and also why it’s always recommended that proposed developments take turtle nesting and other environmental considerations into account at the design phase,” a spokesperson from the DoE said in a social media post.
If you see a sea turtle in danger, please call the 24-hour Turtle Hotline at 938-NEST (938-6378).
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Category: Marine Environment, Science & Nature
Seems as though the turtle was at loggerheads with the rocks.
What is mind boggling is that here same developers are the ones walking around helping humane society and their French bull dog in their front seat of their car, yet they are destroying our envorinment and and killing off the wildlife.
Sure it’s not their Filipino servant driving it and the kids to Camana Bay?
Unfortunately its your own people doing this
Yet the man made groyne in front of Treasure Island remains in place. Not only endangering the nesting turtles but also contributing to beach erosion.
Enough of the cr.p about the Treasure Island Grounes causing every problem on this rock. If you knew anything about the opening in the grounes any idi.t can see sea life can swim through. And in recent memory (last 40 years+) there has never been nesting turtles there.
We used to have a proper beach before that groyne appeared; your 40+ years of memory would verify that too right?
Actually NO. The Groynes have no contributed to the beach erosion North or South. Study winds, currents, storms, etc…basic knowledge and you will understand the structure of the groynes is not impacting the sand dispersement/elimination further north at Royal Palms/Corl Beach, etc… Solid wall structures are your prize – which CIG fully santioned, and continues to do so – not porus rock groynes 30 years ago.
Nice Try!
The TI resident has entered the chat
Along with folks that lack basic knowledge but profess to have all the answers.
I for one would take to heart the thoughts and observations from someone who might live there as opposed to someone who does not. Why so much hatred? I’m in the Grandview and also have no recollection of nesting turtles down here (23 yrs).
Cost to remove them and prove you wrong is nothing comparatively speaking so what is it you are afraid of? Even someone with your limited intellect should be able to understand that when the sand is once again allowed to move freely north to south and south to north as intended, the beach erosion will be lessened.
My intellect is just fine thank you for inquiring. Cost to remove? Well, are you going to remove ALL shore structures granted in the same regard – I suspect not. The fact is you talk bold but cannot back it up by electing respectable officials. Afraid? Sheesh, I have no worries about the CIG to do anything remotely logical, so NO, I am not afraid, in fact I am very certain of the stupidity of the CIG and it’s electorate = Lets see who you elect next term; hmnnnnn, ouch!
*enquiring
the groynes are not shore structures dumbass. they are quite literally in the sea, prohibiting the free and natural movement of sand.
I witnessed turtles nesting and hatching on that very bit of beach about 8-10 years ago.
This is a categorical lie. I live there!
Sorry to hear that. We knew that from your previous attempted defence of the indefensible.
And several thumbs down for folks that also don’t live there and witnessed NO turtle nests the past 40 years. My, local ignorance is rampant.
Might want to have your lungs checked for mold spores. Just saying.
I’m good; live in a condo not the hotel. But I appreciate your concern.
I have observed greedy waterfront property owners extending structures and improvements and objects far beyond their property. Why don’t we enforce public property rights to the mean high tide mark?
Public property rights in fact extend back to the natural vegetation line. Nothing to do with the high tide mark.
Then why are there ropes and signs “private property” at the high water mark on the beach around some of the properties halfway up?
No they don’t.
That foolfool turtle belongs in the pot.
You belong in the pot!
This trend of irresponsible construction in nesting zones needs to be reversed. Developers and owners need to be forced to remove man made structures at their own expense or face a serious kicking in the groin along with jail time.
that would require enforcement officers actually doing their job regardless of income and status…..so that’s not happening. the destruction of this Island is our fault because we demand nothing from our elected officials and laws make corrupt senior civil servants almost untouchable.
Just like PLC not enforcing public beach access points.
Pass the rum.
Gee, a “kicking in the groin” is so current in our society’s legal structure. I guess this individual is comfortable in the 1600’s. Progress.
Dwayne has chosen turtle meat for out national food dish.
He should be doing more to protect turtles and those nesting turtles.
We said this would happen and why that beach development should not be allowed and here’s the proof. We need a more preventative approach from planning.
It’s rather tenuous. The groyne in question was noted to have been in place for “several decades.” While turtles in trouble aren’t always noted in the news, this seems to be a stretch to fit a predisposed narrative given the rarity of incidents.
That thing has been there forever and one turtle got stuck and seems to have been freed. Slow news cycle.
It’s Cayman complainers to blame everything on someone, usually developers, by jealousy of what they are not willing to work for. Gimme it for free.
But the Mandarin soon come right? I mean they’ve moved the sign from Barefoot Beach
all the way to Beach Bay and everything.
Cayman just can’t help itself when it comes to preserving anything special about the place.
Have you looked at the MO website? They very much imply that Beach Bay is “theirs”.
Thank you to our world class civil service. One day soon the public will appreciate all that you do.
A big thank you to the members of the public who saved this turtle when the civil servants were unable to do so.
There is a DoE turtle team member helping the turtle in the photo. DoE = Civil service (even if ignored & underfunded).
Did you actually read the article?
Do you actually know the real story?