The sea turtles are a protected species and it is important to preserve their nesting sites. Certain measures can be taken to protect these sites and help safeguard the species from further threats.

 FEMA Environmental and Historic Preservation representatives met to coordinate efforts to ensure the potential habitat for sea turtles will be protected during the restoration project of Vincent F. Mason Resort Park and Pool. This project will include the removal and replacement of a public pool in Frederiksted, where endangered sea turtles have habitually used the beach adjacent to the pool for nesting. Environmental Specialist Shenelle Dore helped facilitate the actions needed to do this.

 “As a Virgin Islander it was very satisfying to see progress being made to restore the Vincent F. Mason Pool and Resort Park facility, and as an environmental specialist it is equally satisfying to see safety precautions and provisions put in place so that one of our smallest Crucians, sea turtle hatchlings, born on St. Croix would have a safer welcome into the world,” said Dore.

Fencing around the pool sustained damage as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. FEMA’s environmental specialists coordinated a meeting with the V.I. Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, Public Assistance and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mitigate the impending danger the damage posed to sea turtles and humans.

The dialogue and information exchange from the meeting, where each party discussed their concerns and action items led to the construction of a temporary fence surrounding the pool perimeter to prevent sea turtles, hatchlings and people from falling into the pool as well as a sea turtle-friendly “lighting plan.” The lighting plan will help eliminate the use of harsh and ultimately harmful lighting that could disorient the reptiles and their hatchlings.