Restoring sea turtle nesting habitats

03/01/2024

Mobilization

Species

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Benjamin Guichard / OFB

As part of the new "Mission Nature" scratch card, 20 biodiversity restoration projects will be implemented. A look back at the project to restore natural nesting habitats for sea turtles, led by L'Asso-Mer.

Martinique is home to three main species of turtles (leatherback turtle, green turtle, and hawksbill turtle), all of which are endangered. This is due, among other things, to the degradation of their nesting sites resulting from increasing urbanization combined with coastal erosion.

To address these challenges, L'Asso-Mer has launched an "Ecological and Citizen Restoration in Carbet" project which will be financed by part of the winnings from the new "Mission Nature" scratch card game.

Concretely, the aim is to revegetate the Carbet beach to create new spaces suitable for sea turtles to lay their eggs and to try to limit coastal erosion.

Chloé Theret, director of L'Asso-Mer

"Our project will provide a concrete and visible solution to the area. We will work with many stakeholders, including local students, to develop a nursery. We also plan to address artificial lighting, which causes disorientation in turtles," explains Chloé Theret, director of L'Asso-Mer. "Through this initiative, we hope to give citizens, young and old, the opportunity to become active participants in their local areas and the changes they are making . "

Ultimately, a “discovery trail” will be set up in the town to raise awareness among the population of the importance of preserving these coastal environments.

"The project we are leading connects land and sea, between scientists, citizens, and professionals, and between habitats and species. It allows us to work on several themes in a concerted and integrated manner, with mutual aid and solidarity at the forefront," summarizes the association's director.

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