Gathering observations on Leatherback turtles

Leatherback turtles can weigh up to 2000lbs, with black skin, no hard shell and it’s the most elusive of the species known to nest on Montserrat. A fisher friend reported 3 leatherback turtle nests ~ 8th April. He noted a few eggs visible, one as big as a golf ball, which sadly he tossed back into the sea. He thought she might not have been able to hold it in as she made her way up the small beach burn. I wondered if she might’ve dug up another turtles’ nest in the process of laying her own eggs. Next day, I drove to the beach in an abandoned zone of the island and validated the information provided! It was true, there were in fact 3 leatherback nests, and one of the first recorded for Montserrat this year. We recorded turtle tracks (thought to be a Leatherback) on 26th February; but it was difficult to tell from the video quality without knowing the size of the tracks.

Globally, nesting sea turtles face a number of threats, but locally the biggest one is coastal erosion, and saltwater inundation - expected to worsen with rising sea levels and our high energy coastlines. So, when we do nest counts, it’s also useful to record how far from the high water mark a nest maybe , nest no.2 was only about 3/4 feet from the high water mark, with rough seas we expect this nest will be lost, and it really ought to be moved, to allow for the best chance of survival.

First nesting Leatherback recorded in St. Kitts, March 2025. Photo credit : WIDECAST Community

First nesting Leatherback recorded in Guyana, March 2025. Photo credit: WIDECAST Community

It will be important for us to discuss this with partners and establish first a long term turtle monitoriong programme and local coalition for turtle conservation.