Shell shock

ONE of Barbados’ more popular sea turtle nesting sites was potentially compromised, but a collaborative effort stopped any further damage in its tracks.

Yesterday morning, through a social media post, Carla Daniel of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project (BSTP), raised the red flag through a video, which up to yesterday evening had been viewed over 19 000 times and shared close to 800 times on Facebook.

In it she expressed concern about the staging of a free event, Soca on the Beach, which was scheduled to be held on the Drill Hall Beach last night. According to her, the promoter of the event was granted permission to set up on the beach, adding that even though the BSTP was notified, it was with the understanding that the event would be hosted to the north of the beach in the parking area. However, the conservation advocate, who was audibly in tears, showed that instead the stage and other tents were set up on the beach. This was exacerbated by the fact that a temporary fence was erected and seemingly staked into the sand.

According to Daniel, these acts were particularly dangerous since it was estimated that one-quarter of the nesting in Barbados happens on that beach, with approximately 100 nests expected to be in that location at present. In fact, she revealed that as we enter peak nesting season, three turtles came to shore to nest the night before, with one resting her head on the fence to lay her eggs.

Daniel also showed the tyre tracks across the sand, which she said were also distressing since nests are usually one foot from the surface and could be damaged.

Her cries did not go unnoticed. Yesterday Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw assembled a team on the beach to find an amicable solution. This included Minister of the Blue Economy Kirk Humphrey, Minister of Environment and National Beautification Trevor Prescod, the General Manager of the National Conservation Commission, Keith Neblett, as well as representatives from Yello Barbados and promoter 4 D entertainment. She also garnered a wave of support from angry persons locally and abroad about the damage that would be done to the endangered species if the event was not halted.

The event was initially postponed after what was described by all as an amicable discussion and with apologies and assurances that no harm was intended by the staging of the event.
According to Bradshaw, “The event will be postponed in the interest of the turtles, and certainly in terms of preserving this particular environment. The NCC, through the Minister, has also taken note of the concerns that have been expressed by all parties. I think we are cognisant that this is a very popular beach, but at the same time we have a responsibility to our marine life to ensure that we protect the environment. I think we have gotten some assurances from the Ministry that going forward there will be some collaboration between the BSTP and the Ministry of Environment to ensure that a number of our beaches are designated not only as protected areas, but also we are able to highlight specifically where our sea turtles are located.

“Obviously there has to be a compromise in relation to promoters of events and public entertainment because we don’t want to have a situation where promoters feel as though they are not in a position to be able to host events on the beach. I have been given the assurance from Ms. Daniel that her assistance will certainly advise the Ministry going forward in relation to where those areas are that need to be designated and certainly work with the Ministry to educate the general population in relation to why some areas have to be designated as protected sites.”

Environment Minister Prescod opined that because all of the parities were not aware of the same material facts there was some misunderstanding very early. He assured that he will get together with the sponsor Yello Barbados and the promoter 4 D Entertainment next week. “And we will see how we can bring this to a further and even happier ending,” he said.

In releases later in the day, Promoters 4D Entertainment along with Yello Barbados, stated that the event was actually cancelled and not postponed. (JH)