Schildpadonderzoek Lac Baai (BO-11-019.02-046)

Sea turtles, once abundant throughout the Caribbean Sea, have experienced severe reductions in both abundance and distribution. Incomplete baseline data on nesting /feeding sites, migration patterns and population demographics hamper conservation efforts to the recover these of endangered, migratory marine species. The Nature Policy Plan of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs indicates sea turtles as a high conservation priority. In order to formulate and implement an appropriate conservation action plan, baseline knowledge on sea turtle distribution, habitat use and migration patterns in the Dutch Caribbean will be collected together with key local stakeholders and by applying innovative molecular techniques.