A critical component of this project is to make the public more aware of the plight of leatherback turtles and to develp national and community support. Brochures, an annual sea turtle camp, and the mass media will be used as the primary means of building public awareness.
An important objective is to help the country develop policy and establish two protected areas.
Capacity - Building Component
Fishers and other community persons will be trained in beach and turtle monitoring; tour guiding; tagging; craftmaking; and other skills.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
One project activity will focus on generating a diversity of livelihood options which are connected to ecotours and the conservation of beaches and leatherback turtles.
Notable Community Participation
This project will create site managment committees which will be the forum for community involvement and participation.
Project Results
PROJECT RESULTS
OUTPUTS
Environmental
? A total of 104 female leatherback turtles were processed (i.e. tagged with Satellite tags and physical measurements and other attributes recorded) during the period 2009-2010).
? Protection of sand dunes at Keys Beach, through the erection of a recycled dune fence to prevent indiscriminate grazing of ?loose? animals and sand mining. Additionally, native plants were also re-introduced to the area.
? A reduction in pollutants entering the marine environment through the removal of over 12?500 pounds of garbage from the 2 main turtle nesting beaches on St. Kitts
? A draft Policy Document entitled ?Sea Turtles and St. Kitts: Recommendations for Protection of Nesting Areas with the Focus on Leatherbacks? was developed and circulated to stakeholders at decisions makers.
Social
? Relationships established with the following:
o St. Kitts Fisheries Department
o Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine
o St. Kitts Department of Education
o Dieppe Bay Fisheries Cooperative
o Old Road Fisheries Cooperative
o Newtown Fisheries Cooperative
o St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association
o St. Christopher National Trust
o Barbados Sea Turtle Project
o St. Kitts Marriot Resort
o St. Kitts Cooperatives
Economic
? Employment associated with the project is mainly seasonal and based on the sea turtle nesting season, March ? October yearly. In an effort to reduce harvesting and poaching pressures on sea turtles, preference is given to local fishermen thus creating alternative livelihoods. A total of 10 males (4 -2009 & 6 -2010) were employed as Sea Turtle Technicians for the 2009 and 2010 seasons and the total wages earned were US $7?084 (2009) and US $15?023 (2010)respectively. Their duties included turtle beach patrol, data collection and satellite tagging.
? SKSTMN offers Leatherback Eco-tour packages to tourist and locals during turtle nesting season. Patrons pay a fee for a guided tour along turtle nesting beaches with a high possibility of viewing a live turtle nesting. Profits made from this venture were US $824 (2009) and US $2?714 (2010)
? In an effort to further protect sea turtles and to generate funds, thus making the project sustainable; the SKSTMN introduced the concept of making glass jewellery from recycled glass and sea glass (both collected from the beach) to local fishermen and fishing communities. SKSTMN offers free training to fishermen and community members in glass jewellery making. The products are then sold to locals and tourists, providing an alternative source of income to sea turtle harvesting and egg poaching. Total revenue from the sale of merchandise was US $6?364 (2009) and US $5?792 (2010) and the total wages earned were US $726 (2009) and US $567 (2010) respectively. Additionally, SKSTMN also offers courses in Italian glass making for interested persons at a cost of US $50 per session. Total revenue earned from this venture was US $908 (2009) and US $350 (2010).
? The SKSTMN also generates funds for their activities by charging an application processing fee of US $37 to research interns who wish to work with the organisation. In 2009, US $222 was generated from this activity while US $296 was generated in 2010.
Innovation
? To further protect sea turtles and to generate income to fund their conservation activities, the SKSTMN introduced the concept of making glass jewellery from recycled glass and sea glass to local fishermen and fishing communities. Training in the art of recycled glass bead production is offered free of charge to fishermen and other community members. Recycled glass bead products made by the local fishermen provide an alternative source of income to sea turtle harvesting and egg poaching. In addition to the primary aim of protecting sea turtles (by reducing poaching pressure),this product promotes the recycling of glass rather than having them contribute to the refuse in the immediate ecosystem, such as the ocean. SKSTMN sponsors bimonthly beach cleanups on the main sea turtle nesting beaches, removing thousands of pounds of marine debris each year. The glass products collected in the beach cleanups are incorporated into the project?s glass jewellery initiative where they are fashioned into beautiful artistic pieces such as necklace pendants, earrings and key chains that are then sold for profit. All proceeds are used to fund salaries and sea turtle conservation activities.
Capacity Development
? 83 persons (36 male & 47 females) trained in sea turtle monitoring, including but not limited to recording and keeping physical measurements and other attributes of nesting sea turtles, satellite tagging, nest excavation and relocation, GPS monitoring, and triangulation.
? 45 persons (37 males & 8 females) trained in recycled and sea glass jewellery production
? 6 Marriot Recreation Staff (5 males and 1 female) trained in basic sea turtle conservation measures and turtle camp (SKSTMN annual summer camp for kids) administration.
? 1 person (male) obtained open water dive certification during the reporting period. Funding for this activity was provided by a local volunteer.
OUTCOMES
Too early to be determined
IMPACT OR CONTRIBUTION TO IMPACT
Too early to be determined
GENDER
Participation / Decision making
? Due to the security risks associated with the hours of work; men served as Sea Turtle Technicians undertaking night patrols, performing management and conservation measures while collecting data. This work contributed to the scientific knowledge base and protection of sea turtles in St. Kitts.
? Both men and women conducted morning patrols for sea turtle nests and nest excavations and relocations.
? Both men and women lead eco-tours on the leatherback project. This activity educated guests on the nesting biology and ecology of critically endangered sea turtles.
? Both men and women participated in beach clean ups. This activity contributed to the removal of marine debris from the beach ecosystem and prevented it from entering the marine ecosystem.
? Both men and women participated in ?in-water? tagging management activities and training. They contributed to the scientific knowledge base by collecting data and processing turtles.
? Both men and women participated in establishing a dune fence on Keys beach and the replanting of native vegetation. This is contributing to the re-nourishment of the area and a reduction in erosion.
? Both men and women participated in jewellery training workshops, and produced beads, assembled jewellery, and assisted with sales.
? Both men and women participated in public outreach and education activities such as Sea Turtle Camp, Agriculture Day Exhibitions, and Satellite Tagging Presentations in local schools.
Benefits
? Due to the security risks associated with the hours of work, only males were hired as Sea Turtle Technicians. A total of 10 males (4 -2009 & 6 - 2010) were employed for the 2009 and 2010 nesting seasons and the total wages earned were US $7?084 (2009) and US $15?023 (2010) respectively.
? Both men and women were trained in recycled glass bead production and jewellery assembly. However no females maintained affiliation with the glass project in a paid position.
? Both males and females benefitted from the training offered through the project. All training activities were open to both males and females, with a total of 78 males and 56 females participating.
? Both men and women were able to further develop their communication skills through conducting field work, leading educational eco-tours and participating in the public awareness and outreach activities.
Challenges
? Due to the security risks associated with the hours of work and increased crime, only males were hired as Sea Turtle Technicians to conducting the night patrols
PROJECT CHALLENGES
? Continuous habitat destruction in the form of a development (building construction) and vehicular traffic on the turtle nesting beaches.
? Due to the increased crime issues in St. Kitts in 2010, eco-tour bookings were cancelled because families feared for their safety. Additionally, the conditions for staff had the potential for safety breaches. Consequently, the SKSTMN had to create a full time position for an armed off duty police officer to be present on all patrols.
LESSONS LEARNED
? Well advertised, planned, and funded training opportunities do not always lead to long term commitment from the community.
? Promoting quantitative involvement does not contribute as significantly to the project as qualitative involvement. It is best to invest greatly in a few well trained and focused individuals rather than invest a large amount of time and resources into a vast number that will not follow through.
? Procure an accountant to ensure all finances are handled quickly and efficiently. When preparing grant proposals in the future this expense must be budgeted for.
? Project Coordinators must be assigned the task of calculating volunteer hours. Volunteers do not always submit and as a result this data is lost. It is also a lot to request of a volunteer to spend the extra time recording and reporting.
