Leatherback turtle count underway in Solomons

Honiara (Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation/PINA Nius Online) – Solomon Islands Department of Environment and Conservation has begun a survey and monitoring project on leather back turtles in Isabel province.

The project involves collecting and recording data on the turtles’ sizes, the number of female leather back turtles and the number of eggs laid during their nesting period from November to January.

Director of Environment and Conservation Moses Biliki said the monitoring project is being carried out on nesting beaches at Lithogahira and Allardyce, with assistance from local communities.

Biliki said the survey will help his department to determine the number of the leather back turtles, a species feared to be facing a dangerous point of depletion.

The project of monitoring turtle population is being done under the South Pacific Regional Environment Program.

Meanwhile, Mr. Biliki again stressed that it is an offense to kill leather back turtles.