As of 1980, the largest leatherback nesting population on earth existed in Mexico. Through 1980’s and early 1990’s this population declined until only a handful of breeding females remained. The population exceeded 75,000 turtles in 1980, and is less than 1000 today. This collapse was caused by the introduction of artisinal swordfish drift-gillnet and shark fisheries in Chile and Peru that were catching unsustainable numbers of large juvenile and adult leatherbacks.
The island of Trinidad supports more than 80% of all leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting in the insular Caribbean Sea and is the 2nd largest nesting colony in the world with an estimated 6,000 leatherbacks nesting annually. The majority of this nesting is concentrated on the north and east coasts of the island, with occasional nests laid along the south coast. Leatherbacks nesting on Trinidad distribute throughout the N. Atlantic as demonstrated by flipper tag returns.
Nature Seekers is attempting to better understand the global nature of the threats the population faces by tagging all leatherbacks in Matura and working with other organisations to perform this activity nationally.
Nature Seekers would like to invite volunteers to participate in this project as part of our team as we work to conserve and protect one of the largest nesting leatherback sea turtle colonies in the world.
Our goal is to continue the protection work that began in 1990 and to gain better insight into the population of turtles nesting on Matura Beach. Presently, Nature Seekers has 16 staff members that patrol 8.8 km of beach nightly during the six-month turtle nesting season. Your contribution of personal time and effort will enable us to better protect and monitor nesting turtles.
From our experience, we can assure you that working with leatherback turtles is indeed a step toward personal development that is richly rewarding. You will experience the magic of seeing the endangered leatherback turtles perform its nesting ritual; you will work closely with these endangered marine reptiles, collecting information and sharing your experiences with other volunteers daily. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to live in our community and experience a variety of wonderful local cuisine in a very clean & comfortable host home.
The challenging nature of the work is is made eaiser by the family-like atmosphere, support and understanding shared among the Nature Seekers family and friends ensures a comfortable and secure work environment; as a result you will hear many wonderful stories about the community, you will experience the culture & the way of the people. You will also take tours during the day to see monkeys and other exciting community attractions all representing a total experience that cannot be encountered anywhere else in the world. Check out the photo gallary to view many picture on this project.
To sign up and participate in this project contact Earthwatch Inistitute:Trinidad Leatherback Project
Comments From Volunteers on their Experience on Matura, Trinidad & Tobago:
Hannah Pajolek
Imagine a giant creature peacefully emerging from the rough surf of the Atlantic Ocean, keeping a wary eye on her final destination that she has pinpointed somewhere along the beach. At the point where the water meets the land she begins to inch along the sand with only four floundering fins as a means of transport for her massive body. After approximately an hour, she has exerted all her effort to climb the beach and lay her eggs in order to secure the legacy of her species.
Before taking part in my experience at Matura Beach, if one were to ask me to think of a creature that fits the previously mentioned description, my mind would have difficulty summoning up the image of a creature with such adaptations as a docile temperament and large size that exist simultaneously. When I envision a large creature, I tend to think of a creature with an aggressive temperament who uses the size and strength that nature bestowed upon her to intimidate or harm other creatures. I do not picture a massive creature whose large and strong body is able to create a sense of deep peacefulness for those in its presence. With this in mind, I would be more inclined to picture some sort of creature that would exist in a dream, similar to a “gentle giant” type of figure. Before visiting Matura Beach, I would have never known that there is a creature that can be described as a “gentle giant” who actually lives on this planet and not only within a dream. Her name is D ermochelys coriacea, commonly known as the leatherback sea turtle.
After visiting Matura Beach and seeing my first leatherback sea turtle, I definitely look back at my experience with all the turtles as a dream-like encounter…
When I step foot in the sand next to a leatherback sea turtle, I am immediately enveloped in an aura of pure wonderment at the utter size, temperament, and physiology of the species. The presence of a leatherback seems to promote a deep feeling of prehistoric peacefulness that one cannot experience in everyday life. Looking into a salt-encrusted teary eye of a leatherback fills me with the empowering notion of the sheer strength of the cycle of life that is the pinnacle of the planet that we humans share with amazing creatures like the leatherback sea turtle. Looking into the eye of a leatherback sea turtle also makes me experience a sense of enthrallment to be able to share a moment with one who knows the answers behind the mystery of what lies at the depths of the seas. The all-knowing quality of the leatherback sea turtle’s presence makes me feel safe and at ease when I am with her despite all else that may be going on in the world.
Having the opportunity to be involved in the leatherback sea turtle project in Matura allowed me to experience a whole new range of emotions I was not conscious of before. I will always remember the gracious people I met on the project, the knowledgeable Nature Seekers, and the charming village of Matura. But most of all I will remember what it feels like to dwell in a temporary dream-like ambiance that will always be in reach as long as the legacy of the leatherback sea turtle lives on.
John Pearson
I just thought I should send an email to tell you what a wonderful experience Jess and I had being with and working with you all from 13 June to 24 June of this year. It was an experience we won't soon forget. It really was two experiences, inextricably mixed together: the opportunity to work with and learn about the leatherback turtle, an endangered species which is found nearly all over the world, and the opportunity to live in and become a part of the village of Matura, if only for a short time, and to meet and make new Trinidadian friends. Jess and I treasure both of these experiences. And I'm sure Jessica, Francesca, Tyler and Lisa join Jess and me in thanking you for this opportunity and wishing you and all people of Matura continued success in preserving wildlife as encountered in your part of Trinidad while finding ways of improving the local economic environment so that all may prosper and have a decent standard of living. And please greet our colleagues in Team 8, who I think have now been with you about five days. They too will surely have fond memories of their time in Matura to take home and keep forever.
Your friend, Lara ( Lsomoneh@homal.com)
It is difficult to into words what has been one of the best experiences of my life. I came here expecting to have some unique experiences with turtle… I am leaving with so much more. You have given each of us the opportunity to interact with there creatures in such a valuable and meaning way. To observe their movements, learn about their nesting habits and participate on our own in the tagging and recording of data was amazing. I have now lived out my childhood dream of being a marine biologist. I will never forget the sight of a leatherback emerging from the moonlit ocean or the sense of joy I felt each time I saw a hatchling emerge. What made this adventure even more special, beyond the turtles themselves, are the people of MATURA.
I have never met a more positive, committed, supportive and organized group of individuals. Your community-based efforts are to be applauded a thousand times over. Nature Seekers is a global role-model for any organization seeking to make effective and long lasting change within their environment and community. In the future if I ever have a student who says he/she CAN’T do something, I will tell him/her the great story of my friends in Matura, Trinidad, who DID something they once only dreamed of accomplishing.
Thank you for all the laughter, care, wisdom, great food, side adventures and mostly for making me feel a part of something EXTRAORDINARY.
Love and Light- Pure Vida (“Pure Life”)
XOXO
N is for New experiences
A is for Adventurous
T is forTurtles!
U is for Understanding
R is for Resourceful
E is for Exciting
S is for Success
E is for Enthusiastic
E is for energizing
K is for Kind
E is for Effervescent
R is for Rambunctious
S is for Sensational memory
Thank you for an awesome two weeks! I had a blast looking for turtles and hanging out with all of you.
I will always remember this trip. Your story has truly inspired me!
John
Thank you for your dedication and passion. The Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green Turtle of Trinidad are in good hands. Keep up your good work! It’s been wonderful being part of your team. I hope Adam and I can come back soon.
Thanks for all your kindness.
Jones Nagengast
I would like to thank you again for creating a healthy, energetic and fun environment in which I could learn and experience so much. Your hospitality was overwhelming the day I arrived and has culminated into many friendships. When I leave I feel I will only miss the turtles a small amount but the aspect of this trip that I will miss wills be the people. I feel as if I have made a connection with everyone of you and it will be sad to see you go. (or me) Thank you again for a life long memory that I will remember forever.
Naney
With scanner and tags in hand in our pack
We scan the beach for a leatherback
We measure and tag
There’s no time to lag
And at 3:00am we hit the sack
The staff here is all nice
And I like the plantains and rice
Your beans cause no gas
And Even though I fell on my as
I’d still like to do the project twice!
What a joy and privilege it has been to be part of Nature Seekers these past two weeks. Thank you to everyone for making us feel so welcome, teaching us and tolerating us. You all are the greatest!!
Adam
This project has been, without a doubt, one of the most memorable and meaningful experience. I loved the turtles, the staff, my fellow volunteers and the wonderful community.
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