Kralendijk – Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) is concerned about the rise in trash on Bonaire’s beaches. As part of the volunteer Beachkeeper program, STCB has been collecting data on the amount and type of trash found on Bonaire’s sea turtle nesting beaches for several years and the organization has found an upward trend.

Rubbish collected by STCB’s Beach keepers on Bonaire’s sea turtle nesting beaches included cans, glass and plastic bottles, bottle caps, diapers, cigarette butts, straws, fishing line, balloons, raw chicken leg bones, many pallets and more. STCB is seeking support from the government and the community to protect Bonaire’s beaches. STCB’s Manager Mabel Nava explained “Beaches are not very extensive on Bonaire and we need to take good care of them so that we can all continue to enjoy them safely. If we keep our beaches clean, Bonaire’s community as well as sea turtles can use the beach without putting themselves at risk.

Please keep the following rules in mind when visiting the beach: dispose of trash properly, park your vehicle on the side of the road or in a place that has no sand or vegetation, do not light fires on the beaches and find out where you can and cannot walk your dog. “If we all adhere to these simple rules, Bonaire’s community, nesting sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings can continue to use the beach safely”, says Mabel Nava.