From Caribbean News Now

LIMA, Peru — Kate Charles, Ocean Spirits project manager, represented Grenada at the 36th annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation, hosted by International Sea Turtle Society in Lima, Peru, during March.

For three and a half decades the annual event has brought together people from around the world to build and share scientific knowledge. The symposium encourages collaboration, discussion, debate, the sharing of knowledge, research techniques and lessons in conservation to address questions about the biology and conservation of sea turtles and their habitats.

The theme of this year’s symposium was Crossroads. It gave an opportunity to reflect on the Caribbean region’s importance as a foraging ground for five species of sea turtles and to highlight the critical juncture at which we find ourselves with sea turtle conservation.

The theme also highlighted that this is the first time the symposium has been hosted in South America, by Peru. It gives new generations of researchers and conservationists like Charles the opportunity to forge new partnerships and establish international networks vital for successful sea turtle conservation.

Charles gave a poster presentation highlighting a ten-year summary of Ocean Spirits research focusing of leatherback nesting in Grenada.

She commented, “It is an amazing opportunity to learn about new cutting edge research and conservation practices from some of the top sea turtle experts in the world. It gave me the opportunity to promote Grenada’s leatherback sea turtle research and connect with other people working in similar fields to discuss some of the issues we face like climate change, beach erosion and the threat to some species of sea turtles from ongoing legal hunting in countries such as Grenada. It was great to be able to problem-solve with people from many cultures and really experience a diverse range of opinions.”

Now back in Grenada, Charles and the team at Ocean Spirits are swinging into full gear, as nesting sea turtles have started arriving on Grenada’s beaches.

IMAGE: Ocean Spirits project manager Kate Charles at the 36th annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation in Lima, Peru

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