Beach Cleanups

 

Klein Bonaire is the major nesting site for Bonaire’s endangered sea turtles. About 2/3 of the nests we have each year are located on Klein Bonaire. STCB organizes semi-annual cleanups with local partner STINAPA to ensure that Klein’s beaches are free of trash and debris. This gives nesting female turtles clear access to nest sites. Turtle hatchlings also benefit, gaining safe access to the sea.

Each year, adult females lay an average of 50 – 75 nests on Klein’s beaches. Sixty-five nests can result in 6,500 baby turtles hatching and attempting to make their way to the sea!

 

 

For a newly-hatched sea turtle, the way to the sea is filled with hazards - photo Remie Bakker

Volunteers clear the litter on Klein Bonaire - photo Patrick Holian

 

 

Many Caribbean islands have a fairly distant relationship with their reefs - if you want to experience these coral ecosystems, you must often travel by boat. But Bonaire’s reefs lie directly beside the coastline.

Litter that washes into the sea may entangle marine life, and feeding animals, including sea turtles, make the fatal mistake of eating floating plastic because of its close resemblance to jellyfish.

Stopping trash before it makes its way into the sea is important to the health and diversity of the reef.

Click here for information about the next cleanup.