The Tribune

ATLANTIS is helping to replenish the endangered green sea turtle population in and around the Bahamas, releasing approximately 40 young turtles into the waters around New Providence last week.

The Paradise Island resort said its efforts are the continuation of a breed and release programme initiated by the hotel to help ensure the longevity of the species.

Ross Martin, Senior Aquarist in Atlantis’ Marine Aquarium Operations unit, said the resort is proud to be a part of such “a meaningful opportunity” to help ensure this particular species of turtles does not become extinct. “By doing this we hope to help increase and sustain the population of the green sea turtles in the wild,” he said. The two-year-old bred turtles released by Atlantis have a greater chance of survival rather than as natural hatchlings, which he said “are more vulnerable and susceptible to predators”.

There are seven species of sea turtles, all of which are classified as endangered, and the government enacted new legislation in 2009 that protects all species.

Department of Marine Resources Director Michael Braynen applauded the resort’s efforts. “This goes beyond the immediately obvious public displays at the hotel and extends also to their willingness to assist, rescue and rehabilitate turtles injured in the wild. Through careful management of the habitats provided for the turtles on display at Atlantis, there have been ongoing reproductive successes. The release into the natural environment of these baby turtles hatched from eggs laid at Atlantis is indeed a cause for celebration,” he said.

There are important green turtle nesting and feeding grounds around the coasts of Africa, India and South East Asia, along the entire tropical coastline of Australia and the South Pacific Islands. In the Western Atlantic the range extends from Cape Cod through Central America as far south as southern Brazil.