What's brewing in the turtle hatcheries?

Hmmm... some points in Sri Lanka are even un-understandable for regular visitors. I%26#39;m completely missing the point on this one, and still thinking that turtle hatcheries protect the eggs from predators (including humans!) and release the hatchlings in the sea when a few days old. But maybe more recent visitors know some inner details?

Thanks in advance,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

';* Turtles breeding centers are to be prohibited in Sri Lanka

Monday, January 26, 2009, 16:31 GMT

Jan 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka government has decided to prohibit the turtle breeding centers located along the Southern coast.

W.A.D.A Wijesuriya, Director General of the Wild Life department said that they have taken this decision to protect the turtles that are facing a certain threat of disappearing from the earth.

He said the Wild Life Department is to begin raiding the turtle breeding centers without prior notice from 1st of February.

According to the Director General keeping the turtles and their eggs are totally prohibited by the law.

There are few turtle breeding centers along Southern coastal line in Sri Lanka which are famous among the tourists. ';

What's brewing in the turtle hatcheries?

Hi Erik

The governemt dept, decides to protect turtles by prohibiting the places that protect turtles ???

Strange.

Personally, I don%26#39;t like the turtle hatcheries . I%26#39;d far prefer that the eggs were left in the sand to hatch naturally but as we all know, that wouldn%26#39;t happen.

A walk along any turtle beach early in the morning , such as the one at Kosgoda,, we%26#39;ve all seen the trails left in the sand by the turtles leading any pedator exactly to the spot where the egs were laid th night before.

We also know, that without the protection, those eggs will be dug up for food.

So, although I don%26#39;t like the hatcheries I do think they are a necessary evil. Plus, they keep quite a few people employed , so where the gain is in banning them I just can%26#39;t imagine.

Strange things, governments.

Rod.

What's brewing in the turtle hatcheries?

Hi Erik...

Well nothing surprises me any more in Sri Lanka, but personally i cannot see what they would gain from this, as well as giving what little protection these places can do to the little critters, as Rod says they also provide employment for locals too.

Hmmmm, just a thought here, maybe a new Minister for Turtles will be created now ??, that would make around 650 ??

Regards

Dave

I hope that they hatcheries are still open as we were planning on seeing one.

Still looking forward to sitting on a beach one night and watching the turtles lay the eggs...

There is a turtle watch project at Rekawa Beach employing local people to protect the sites along the beach where turtles lay their eggs. I visited this site 2 years ago, it was well managed - no flash photography was allowed but we were guided up the beach to watch as the turtles dug a hole and then deposited about 100 eggs there! Quite a magical experience! The guides then had to fill in paperwork to mark the protection zone - so it all looked quite well organised.

Hi,

I%26#39;ve spent a couple of nights on the beach at Rekawa and really enjoyed it.

They should be Ok because they are an official turtle preservation site and don%26#39;t interfere with the eggs , just protect them .

If the hatcheries do have to close then Rekawa may be getting more custom.

Rod.