– at commissioning of turtle conservation field station at Almond Beach
GUYANA is home to four of the world’s eight known sea-turtle species, the Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and the Olive Ridley, which are endangered species. These turtles visit Shell Beach, a 90-mile long stretch of beach in the Northwestern Region of Guyana, to lay their eggs. As such, protecting and monitoring nesting beaches, increased awareness and education regarding marine turtles are important to the success of marine turtle conservation.
Conservation efforts have been on-going for a number of years through the formation of the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS) in April 2000, under the patronage of Dr. Peter Pritchard.

Strides to further boost conservation efforts were further strengthened Saturday with the commissioning of a field station located on Almond Beach, Region One. The field station is outfitted with internet service, solar power supply and library, and training will be provided in conservation strategies and ICT. A multi-purpose guest house is also under construction which will accommodate visitors to the beach, workshops and function as a hub for the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project.
These were made possible through funding from Eerepami Rainforest Foundation which received contributions from youths in Germany.

During his presentation, Prime Minister Hinds indicated that he was appointed a Patron of GMTCS, after calls were made for a Mining Minister to become involved as persons were mining the sea shell, which is abundant along the beach.
He noted that Guyana is at an early stage of development, he was making reference to the number of Direct TV dishes in Mabaruma, an indication that Guyanese are aware of developments worldwide.

He noted that exposure to the world, via the television, creates potential for contradictions, particularly by the youths who want to have similar material lives.

“We in Guyana, while we are small, we have to develop ourselves as best as we could and develop partnerships with people in other parts of the world,” the Prime Minister stated.

He added, “If we are a part of the world, we must feel challenged to match other people in the world and focus on what we do… for instance providing a good tourism product”.
Prime Minister Hinds pointed out other developmental activities that are ongoing in Guyana, including the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project which aims at advancing the lives of Guyanese through access and use of technology.
Co-Patron of GMTCS, Dr. Peter Pritchard, recognized the efforts of stakeholders (the community) which is an indication of their care for the turtles and protected areas of Guyana, Almond Beach in particular.
He noted that since his arrival in 1964, there have been significant efforts to make sure the beach is properly developed.

Chair of GMTCS Board, Dr. Raquel Thomas, noted that the organization’s efforts have been recognized by Government, and it has received support through education awareness and in protected area development.
She added that GMTCS has worked with the community, during 2010, in determining its delineation potentials for Shell Beach.
Thomas emphasized that while protected areas focus on biodiversity, focus must also be placed on the people dwelling in the area.

The project has received support from organizations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), SOL, Flora and Fauna International (FFI), Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and Conservation International (CI).
Representative of Eerepami Rainforest Foundation, Robert Spitzer, explained that sea turtles have been in existence for hundreds of years. However, there have been over 100 years of careless activities, including over-harvesting which have brought a variety of sea turtles to the brink of extinction. And so conservation is critical.
He noted that the existence of the turtles are important for the stability of the marine ecosystem through maintaining fish populations.

Vice-chairman of Region One, Paul Pierre, commended the community for its steadfastness in ensuring marine turtle conservation becomes a successful project in Region One.
He emphasized that in all the communities in Region One, there are visible signs of development.
Pierre made reference to some of the developments which include the success of the road projects, 60 miles of road, which allow access to communities which were not previously connected; construction of new schools; progress in agriculture; and improved health care, via roving doctors.
Apart from the presence of the turtles, Almond Beach is well known for its abundance of coconuts which provides investment opportunities, and has the potential to create others. Students from schools within the region are also afforded the opportunity to partake in marine ecology sessions. (GINA)