The News and Observer reported last week that the number of sea turtles hatching on Cape Hatteras National Seashore is way up this year.
This is good news for the loggerheads and a rare green turtle that laid eggs this year, but not such good news for the fishers and other recreationists that enjoy Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
A legal agreement between the National Park Service, environmental groups and local economic interests requires that portions of the National Seashore be placed off limits during bird and turtle nesting season. Some fishers feel unfairly targeted by the full beach ban. They state that their driving at night behind the nests will not threaten the hatchlings and that lights by houses on the beach pose a greater threat to the hatchlings.
This year 821 loggerhead nests were laid in comparison to 715 nests, which are average. It is not known if the the uptick can be attributed to the beach closure.
1 comment:
Over the summer, I interned with the Fish and Wildlife Service on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (part of Hatteras). As part of my internship duties, I identified turtle nests, recorded nest/crawl data, relocated nests, and assisted with our "turtle watch" hatching program. I also lead a significant number of guided interpretive programs for the public. While working on all of this, I experienced some of the antimosity directed toward the Fish and Wildlife Service and NPS. Limiting off-road driving was a big source of friction between the local businesses and those of us trying to protect the wildlife. I support both wildlife protection and public use, but I don't think it's necessary to be driving on the beaches. In addition, wildlife (Loggerhead and Green turtles and Piping Plovers, etc.) should not be the scapegoats for frustrations over high gas prices and economic instability. Let's leave the wildlife alone and use our intellectual capacity to acclimate to the economic situation at hand. In fact, protecting and preserving the biodiversity and natural beauty of the area is a way to ensure a reasonable level of economic stability for the area now and in the future. Tourists will continue to visit and spend money.
Post a Comment