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Marine Turtle Newsletter 59:25, © 2001
Ralf H. Boulon
Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Government of the U. S. Virgin Islands, 101 Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas, USVI
[Reprinted with permission from the USVI Daily News, 17 June 1992]
The green turtle took a final look around before holding its breath and diving back towards the bottom of Red Hook Bay [St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands]. It knows that many boats come in and out of this bay and it has learned to avoid parts of the bay where the boats seem to spend most of their time. As the turtle reached the bottom, it began to look around for the young turtle-grass shoots that it loves to eat. After eating for about five minutes it slowly started to rise back to the surface for another breath of air. On the way up it could hear the familiar whine of a boat propeller coming through the water. But this one was a little different-the sound was higher in pitch and it was harder to tell where the boat was and how far away it was. The urge to breath was so strong, however, that the turtle continued to rise. It was not too concerned because it was not in the area where most of the boats usually travel.
The turtle reached the surface and stuck its head up to take a deep breath. The sound of the boat was very loud, but the turtle could not tell where it was coming from. All of a sudden a giant crushing wave rolled over it and several sharp blows with searing pain slammed into the turtle. Then it was gone and the sound was receding into the distance. The turtle lay on the surface, stunned and bleeding from four large, deep gashes in its carapace and a large tear in its right front shoulder and flipper. All it was able to do was slowly move its front flippers, but that was not enough to keep it from being carried into the bay by the wind currents. After several hours of drifting and slowly getting weaker from loss of blood and pain, it was noticed by some concerned citizens who called the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Biologists came and carefully lifted the turtle into their boat, but it was too late. The turtle died before reaching shore.
How many times does this happen? The driver of the boat probably did not even know that he hit something. In Red Hook this has happened twice in the past two months. We know of at least six boats having hit turtles in the last five years. In bays all around our islands where turtles feed in the sea grass beds, power boats are getting faster and people continue to disregard speed limits and environmental boating ethics. Our turtles and other sea life are losing the battle to mankind's disregard for the natural world around us. Without this natural world, where would we be? Slow down and take a look around. You might notice that we live in a beautiful part of the world with all kinds of plants and animals trying to survive in spite of us. Every-thing we humans do has some negative impact on the natural world around us. We need to be aware of the consequences of our actions and try to change our behavior to reduce or eliminate the impact we have on the environment we share with a lot of other creatures.
Next time you drive your boat through an area having sea grass, slow down and "brake for wildlife". The turtles, bait fish, sea birds, and other animals associated with sea grass beds will thank you.