Composite photo.
BONAIRE–Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) is concerned about the rise in trash on local beaches. As part of the volunteer Beach-keeper programme, the foundation has been collecting data on the amount and type of waste found on sea turtle nesting beaches for several years and has noted an upward trend.
Rubbish collected by STCB’s Beach-keepers along the shore at places such as “Te Amo” and Donkey Beach, cove beaches in the south and Klein Bonaire include cans, glass and plastic bottles, bottle caps, diapers, cigarette butts, straws, fishing line, balloons, raw chicken leg bones, many pallets and more.
In addition to trash, volunteers also regularly find tire tracks, fire pits and dog tracks on the beaches, as well as man-made structures (e.g. stone heaps, pallet chairs/tables) that form obstacles for nesting turtles and their hatchlings.
STCB is seeking support from government and the community to protect Bonaire’s beaches, said Manager Mabel Nava “Beaches are not very extensive on Bonaire and we need to take good care of them so that we can all continue to enjoy them safely. If we keep our beaches clean, Bonaire’s community as well as sea turtles can use the beach without putting themselves at risk.”
“Risks for people may include cuts, burns from fire pits and charcoal, transmission of bacteria as a result of dogs urinating and defecating on the sand, while for sea turtles the killing of eggs due to crushing by cars, cooking with fire pits and digging by dogs.”
People are urged to dispose of trash properly by using the garbage facilities at the beaches or taking it home, to park their vehicle on the side of the road or in a place without sand or vegetation, not to light fires on the beaches and to find out where they can and cannot walk their dog. “If we all adhere to these simple rules, Bonaire’s community, nesting sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings can continue to use the beach safely,” said Mabel Nava.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/89636-beach-litter-a-growing-issue
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