In a notable shift from recent years, Cayman’s turtle nesting season is projected to be less prolific this year, following two consecutive record-breaking seasons.
As of August 26, the Department of Environment has recorded 527 turtle nests across the Cayman Islands, a decline from the 810 nests documented by the same time last year. By the end of the 2023 nesting season, the total had surpassed 1,000 nests for the first time since monitoring began in 1998. The previous record, set in 2022, saw 858 nests.
This season’s figures include 299 loggerhead nests and 228 green turtle nests. While green turtle nesting is still ongoing, no new loggerhead nests have been reported for several weeks. Jane Hardwick, the Department of Environment’s sea turtle programme manager, expressed that despite the drop, there is no cause for concern.
“It’s been a quieter year for both species, particularly green turtles. However, this is not unexpected following the exceptionally busy seasons of 2022 and 2023,” Hardwick stated via email to the Compass. She added that it is common for nesting females to take a break after such prolific years.
The nesting season, which runs from May 1 to November 30, still has a few months remaining. The season began in April with the discovery of a loggerhead nest on Cayman Brac, marking the second consecutive year the island has signaled the start of the season.
The 2022 season was notably extended, with the final nest hatching on February 22, 2023, on Little Cayman. Hurricane Beryl, which approached Cayman as a Category 3 storm, had significant effects on the nesting beaches. The storm caused high swells and “wave wash-over” on the south coasts of all three islands, impacting 124 nests on Grand Cayman, including 96 loggerhead and 28 green turtle nests.
During Hurricane Beryl, 45 nests were affected by the waves. Of these, 6 nests failed completely, 12 had less than 50% hatching success, and 27 showed normal hatch success rates. Hardwick noted that sea turtle eggs can withstand brief periods of wave wash-over without significant damage.
Ahead of Beryl’s arrival, 20 vulnerable nests were relocated to higher ground, and 399 hatchlings were rescued to protect them from the severe weather.
The Sister Islands teams are also reporting similar impacts on their nests. Hardwick expressed gratitude to the volunteers, interns, and staff involved in the monitoring and protection efforts.
As the season progresses, Hardwick urges the public to turn off lights on nesting beaches and avoid disturbing turtle tracks or nests. For those witnessing suspected nesting activity or illegal activities like poaching, Hardwick advises contacting the turtle hotline at 938-NEST (938-6378) or calling 911 for urgent concerns.