News Staff
Published May 7, 2017 at 8:02 pm (Updated May 7, 2017 at 8:02 pm)

Sea turtles are being temporarily relocated from the Great Sound to keep them out of harm’s way during the America’s Cup.

They will be homed in a purpose-built ocean enclosure near the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo in an operation involving America’s Cup Bermuda, the Ministry of the Environment and relevant environmental organisations, according to a Bermuda Government press release.

Sea turtles will be netted based on methods used successfully for turtle tagging operations, the release states.

Their new temporary home has an appropriate depth of seawater and animal husbandry experts close at hand, while the Government says there will be low impact on other species.

BAMZ will be responsible for caring for the turtles and will follow guidelines for holding sea turtles in captivity. Collection is beginning now in order to minimise the time in captivity; by July the turtles will be back in the same area where they were originally collected.

Mike Winfield, CEO of the ACBDA, said in a statement: “There will be a vastly increased level of marine traffic in the Great Sound in late May and June. We turned to Bermuda Environmental Consulting, our environmental advisers, and they have coordinated a multi-agency group bringing in the needed expertise from the Government of Bermuda’s environmental team for all aspects of this operation.

“We began and continue with the objective of capturing the turtles safely, looking after them during the enhanced traffic volume period and then returning them to their habitats.”

The press release says ACBDA has worked closely with the Ministry of the Environment, BAMZ and a variety of experts with years of experience in the field in order to facilitate this project.

Ian Walker, principal curator of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, stated: “The ACBDA came to the scientific community expressing concern about the level of marine traffic in the Great Sound in May and June and asking for assistance in minimising the risks this could present to marine wildlife.

“Working with local sea turtle experts, the team collectively developed a plan to capture and relocate these animals in late May and June which is expected to reduce the risk to animals while keeping them in a safe and humane manner.

“BAMZ is experienced in caring for sea turtles for long periods both for exhibits and for rehabilitation and we are committed to providing the best care possible for them before returning them back to their natural habitat at the conclusion of the event.”

Numbers of turtles in Bermuda’s near shore waters have increased significantly over the past couple of years. In part this is thanks to successful turtle conservation efforts both locally by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, BAMZ and the Bermuda Zoological Society and others throughout the Greater Caribbean region.

The boating public is encouraged to assist in the conservation of sea turtles by travelling at slower speeds and strictly observing no wake zones, being on the watch for turtles and encouraging other boaters to also be on the lookout for turtles.

Anyone who finds an injured or deceased sea turtle should call the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre on 297-1010 or VHF Channels 16 or 27.