St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network
Awards/Press Releases Featuring SKSTMN
Awards:
2018 Sustainable Tourism Award; Awarded by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority
2011 Nominee for Environmental Excellence Award; Nominated by St. Kitts Tourism Authority
2010 St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Appreciation Award
2009 Most Eco-friendly Business; Awarded by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Press Releases featuring the SKSTMN (Print and Internet):
2022
Solid Waste Management and Recycling Project commends holding of children’s summer camps
13 August 2022
https://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/119624
2021
The UNESCO St. Mary’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Committee Is Working to Ensure Cultural and Environmental Preservation
September 2021
zizonline.com/amp/the-unesco-st-marys-man-and-the-biosphere-mab-committee-is-working-to-ensure-cultural-and-environmental-preservation/
A Truly Remarkable Leatherback Journey
June 2021
https://www.sknis.gov.kn/2021/06/15/a-truly-remarkable-leatherback-journey/
ST KITTS - SASSY Released
June 2021
http://www.ecomarbelize.org/st-kitts-sassy.html
A Truly Remarkable Leatherback Journey
June 2021
zizonline.com/amp/a-truly-remarkable-leatherback-journey/
2020
St Kitts-Nevis: Local NGO gets help to protect turtle population
June 2020
https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/st-kitts-nevis-local-ngo-gets-help-protect-turtle-population
St Kitts and Nevis Installs Turtle-Friendly Lights as Governing Coalition Pledges More Conservation Measures
June 18 2020
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-kitts-and-nevis-installs-turtle-friendly-lights-as-governing-coalition-pledges-more-conservation-measures-301079645.html
Sea Turtle Friendly Street Lights Glowing Near Keys Beach
June 2020
https://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/sea-turtle-friendly-street-lights-glowing-near-keys-beach/
Installation of Amber Lights In Keys Village Too Assist With Turtle Nesting
June 2020
zizonline.com/amp/installation-of-amber-lights-in-keys-village-to-assist-with-turtle-nesting/
Plastic Pollution Can Greatly Destroy The Marine Biodiversity
July 2020
zizonline.com/amp/plastic-pollution-can-greatly-destroy-the-marine-biodiversity-of-st-kitts-and-nevis/
2019
SKSTMN Monofilament Recycling Bin Program Launched
July 2019
https://www.sknis.gov.kn/2019/07/09/skstmn-monofilament-recycling-bin-program-launched/
2018
Strengthening Public Awareness of Sea Turtle Conservation in St. Kitts and Nevis Through Beachside Interpretive Panels
29 October 2018
Strengthening Public Awareness of Sea Turtle Conservation in St. Kitts and Nevis Through Beachside Interpretive Panels
29 October 2018
https://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/107537
Leatherback Sea Turtle Captured in Canadian Waters Originally Tagged while Nesting in St. Kitts
24 October 2018
Leatherback Sea Turtle Captured in Canadian Waters Originally Tagged while Nesting in St. Kitts
16 October 2018
Youth Summer Camp To Encourage Young People To Do More To Protect The Environment
June 2018
St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service https://sknis.kn/youth-summer-camp-to-encourage-young-people-to-do-more-to-protect-the-environment/
CFBC combats plastic pollution
June 2018
Winn FM
https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/26584-cfbc-combats-plastic-pollution
Travel agent university adds two family travel training courses
May 2018
Travel Agent Central https://www.travelagentcentral.com/running-your-business/travel-agent-university-adds-two-family-travel-training-courses
The latest hotel pitch: Bring the Kids
May 2018
Finance and Commerce
https://finance-commerce.com/2018/05/the-latest-hotel-pitch-bring-the-kids/
Sand, Surf and Fun in the Sun in St. Kitts
May 2018
Twist Travel Magazine
https://twisttravelmag.com/park-hyatt-st-kitts/
Rehabilitated Sea Turtle to be Released at Christophe Harbour’s Whitehouse Bay
2 March 2018
UMHS SGA Beach Cleanup on Keys Beach, St. Kitts
March 2018
The UMHS Endeavor
https://www.umhs-sk.org/blog/tag/st-kitts-sea-turtle-monitoring-network/
2017
Doing Turtle a Good Turn.
December 2017
St. Kitts and Nevis Visitor Magazine
Plastic Free July Part of Effort to Help Save St. Kitts Seas | UMHS Endeavour
4 August 2017
https://www.umhs-‐sk.org/blog/plastic-‐free-‐july-‐part-‐of-‐effort-‐to-‐help-‐save-‐st-‐kitts-‐seas-‐ umhs-‐endeavour/
SKSTMN celebrating 10 years of successful Sea Turtle Summer Camps
27 July 2017
http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/101955
SKSTMN celebrating 10 years of successful Sea Turtle Summer Camps 27
July 2017
https://www.winnfm.com/press-‐releases/23064-‐skstmn-‐celebrating-‐10-‐years-‐of-‐successful-‐ sea-‐turtle-‐summer-‐camps
SKSTMN celebrating 10 years of successful Sea Turtle Summer Camps
27 July 2017
http://www.inskn.com/tag/sea-‐turtle-‐summer-‐camps/
Caribbean Turtles – Turtle Watching – Turtle Conservation
24 July 2017
http://www.activecaribbean.com/family-‐adventures/caribbean-‐wildlife-‐turtles-‐in-‐the-‐ caribbean/
St. Kitts and Nevis to join global Plastic Free July campaign
6 July 2017
http://www.culture.gov.kn/st-‐kitts-‐and-‐nevis-‐to-‐join-‐global-‐plastic-‐free-‐july-‐campaign/
St. Kitts and Nevis Joins Global Plastic Free July Campaign
4 July 2017
http://www.nevispages.com/st-‐kitts-‐and-‐nevis-‐joins-‐global-‐plastic-‐free-‐july-‐campaign/
St. Kitts and Nevis Joins Global Plastic Free July Campaign
4 July 2017
http://timescaribbeanonline.com/st-‐kitts-‐nevis-‐joins-‐global-‐plastic-‐free-‐july-‐campaign/
Plastic Free July Launched
3 July 2017
https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/22737-‐plastic-‐free-‐july-‐launched
SKN Residents! July is Plastic-‐Free Month
3 July 2017
http://www.myvuenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29125:skn-‐ residents-‐july-‐is-‐plastic-‐free-‐month&catid=42:rokstories&Itemid=109
Calendar of 2017 Plastic Free July Events
July 2017
http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/calendar.html
Brinley Shipwreck Rum Release White Reserve Expression
29 May 2017
http://www.thebeveragejournal.com/tag/st-‐kitts-‐sea-‐turtle-‐monitoring-‐network/
2016
2016 Scholarship Winners
http://www.seaturtleinc.org/2016-‐scholarship-‐winners/
2015
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network 8th Annual Camp Another Success
31 August 2015
http://www.inskn.com/st-kitts-sea-turtle-monitoring-network-8th- annual-camp-another-success/
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network 8th Annual Camp Another Success
31 August 2015
http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/93004
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network 8th Annual Camp Another Success
31 August 2015
http://www.journalistshub.com/2015/08/31/st-kitts-sea-turtle- monitoring-network-8th-annual-camp-another-success/
St Kitts sea turtle monitoring network attracts international attention
15 May 2015
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-St-Kitts-sea-turtle- monitoring-network-attracts-international-attention-26130.html
Nights, Camera, Action! - The St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network attracts international attention
13 May 2015
http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/91845
New Sea Turtle Visitor Center for Keys 15 February 2015
http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/90977
2014
Beach Signs Placed for Sea Turtle Protection 25 June 2014
http://www.inskn.com/beach-signs-placed-for-sea-turtle- protection/
Underweight Green Sea Turtles Confiscated and Released 10 March 2014 http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/86202
2013
St Kitts: perfect for family bonding 24 December 2013
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/caribbean/saint- kitts-and-nevis/articles/St-Kitts-perfect-for-family-bonding/
Injured Sea Turtle left to die – ZIZ Live
8 January 2013
http://www.stkittsgazette.com/injured-sea-turtle-left-to-die-ziz-live/
2012
St. Kitts Leatherback Turtle Makes it to Cape Cod
20 August 2012
https://repeatingislands.com/2012/08/20/st-kitts-leatherback- turtle-makes-it-to-cape-cod/
St. Kitts Tagged Sea Turtle Captured Off The Coast Of Massachusetts
18 August 2012
http://ftp.winnfm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti cle&id=991:st-kitts-tagged-sea-turtle-captured-off-the-coast-of- massachusetts&catid=15&Itemid=105&device=xhtml
Sixth Annual Sea Turtle Camp a Success
August 2012
http://sknlist.com/community/20120731e.html
Giant Leatherback Sea Turtle makes a Rare Daytime Visit to St Kitts
23 June 2012
https://repeatingislands.com/2012/06/23/giant-leatherback-sea- turtle-makes-a-rare-daytime-visit-to-st-kitts/
The St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN) and Silver Reef St. Kitts teams up
28 March 2012
http://zizonline.com/the-st-kitts-sea-turtle-monitoring-network- skstmn-and-silver-reef-st-kitts-teams-up/
St. Kitts sea turtles to benefit from environment fund 25 January 2012
http://www.sknclt.com/st-kitts-sea-turtles-to-benefit-from- environment-fund/
2011
Leatherback turtle lays eggs on Frigate Bay Strip
4 April 2011
http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/17369
ILLEGAL SAND-MINING POTENTIALLY UNDERMINES SEATURTLE POPULATION OF ST KITTS
24 February 2011
http://www.bajanreporter.com/2011/02/illegal-sand-mining- potentially-undermines-seaturtle-population-of-st-kitts/
University partners with local fishermen in sea turtle conservation
15 February 2011
https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/110215j.aspx
2010
New Program to Save Sea Turtles
26 October 2010
http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-news/2010/10/25/new-program-to-save-sea-turtles.aspx
Turtle Centers Team Up
18 October 2010
http://tbn.live.mediaspanonline.com/story/TURTLE101610-sdw
Connecting in the Community with Local Sea Turtle Fishermen
15 October 2010
http://www.rossu.edu/news/Connecting-in-the-Community-with-Local-Sea-Turtle-Fishermen.cfm?grp_id=9
Sea Turtle Monitoring Network Receives Recognition by the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association
24 September 2010
http://www.rossu.edu/news/Sea-Turtle-Monitoring-Network-Receives-Recognition-by-the-St-Kitts-National-Youth- Parliament-Association.cfm?grp_id=9
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network tags Their First Nesting Green Sea Turtle On Keys Beach
8 July 2010
http://www.kittivisianlife.com/articles/07-2010/st-kitts-sea-turtle-monitoring-network-tags-their-first-nesting-green- sea-turtle-on-keys-beach
100,000 turtles: Innovative St. Catherines Island Sea Turtle Program reaches second decade
Summer 2010
Georgia Southern Magazine http://news.georgiasouthern.edu/magazine/gsm_sum10/index.php?type=Features&article=turtles&sn=featured
Cruise Ship Guests Volunteer to Clean Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
22 April 2010
Turtle Time.
Preview St. Kitts and Nevis 2010 Magazine.
*Magazine distributed to all incoming American Airline passengers throughout the year.
2009
Female hawksbill sea turtle rescued from Major’s Bay salt pond by conservationists and local citizens.
27 November 2009
The Leewards Times. Issue 593, p13.
Female Hawksbill Sea Turtle Rescued from Major’s Bay Salt Pond
25 November 2009
Craft opportunities as alternative to sea turtle harvest
23 November 2009
http://www.rossu.edu/veterinary-school/researchnews.cfm
Turtle Conservation
20 November 2009
The Leewards Times. Issue 592, p16-17.
Trees and Turtles
Karen Robinson visits the natural Caribbean
8 November 2009
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/caribbean/article6903207.ece
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network’s Glass Bead Initiative
3 November 2009
Local Group Receives GEF-SGP Grant for Sea Turtles Marine Turtle Newsletter 123:23-27, © 2009
http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn123/mtn123p23.shtml Outstanding tourism stakeholders honored for their contributions
31 October 2009
http://www.labourspokesman.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=1174
St. Kitts Tourism Shines at Banquet
28 October 2009
http://www.zizonline.com/news/?9934626C-2219-22DB-ABB98AACF1DBEE55
Tourism Partners Honoured
27 October 2009
http://www.winnfm.com/news2.asp?NewsID=3840
Prime Minister Douglas says everyone in the Federation has a part to play to maintain our tourism market
26 October 2009
http://www.zizonline.com/news/?919A5C1C-2219-22DB-AB0736A99BECDFEB
Turtles in the Soup?
16 October 2009
The Leewards Times. Issue 587, p4.
Illegally Captured Green Sea Turtle Released
15 October 2009
The Leewards Times. Issue 586, p12.
Teaching fishermen how to fish using glass
9 March 2009
http://www.sunstkittsonline.com/news/local/25686-Teaching-fishermen-how-to-fish-using-glass.html
Thousands of pounds of beach garbage collected
4 March 2009
http://www.sunstkittsonline.com/news/local/26284-Thousand-pounds-of-beach-garbage-collected-.html
SKSTMN, Tourism Authority Partner in Ecotourism Initiative
10 February 2009
http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/8491
Silver Reef Development supports Community Outreach and Turtle Tourism
11 November 2009
http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/7306
Close Encounters of the Turtle Kind Preview St. Kitts and Nevis 2009 Magazine.
*Magazine distributed to all incoming American Airline passengers throughout the year.
2008
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network receives grant
4 December 2008
http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/7635
SKNYPA Appreciation Breakfast
30 July 2008
http://sunstkitts.com/paper/?asknw=view&asknw=view,view,view,view&as=view&sun=494418078207132005&an=431917 069807302008&ac=Local&shwef=260400048209232008&pstamp=ASKNW&CFID=42715992&CFTOKEN=95708131&jse
ssionid=8a3036e640007432372c
Nevis Sea Turtle Camp
18 July 2008
http://www.kittivisianlife.com/articles/07-2008/four-seasons-resort-nevis-partners-with-nevis-turtle-group-to-host-third- annual-sea-turtle-camp
Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference
21-24 April 2008
http://www.caribbeananimalwelfare.org/ConfSpeak.html
Mr. Leatherback Visits St. Kitts!
24 April 2008
http://www.caribbeananimalwelfare.org/ConfSpeak.html
2006
International Beach Clean Up
28 September 2006
http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/1897
St. Kitts 2006 Sea Turtle Poster Competition Launch
20 September 2006
http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/1865
Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles are hatching on our beaches and getting stranded
4 September 2006
http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/1782
2005
Leatherback Nests on Keys Beach
At around 3p.m. on Monday 18th April a most unusual event occurred at Keys. A giant leatherback turtle came up to nest. They usually do this in the night and so are rarely seen. For some unknown reason this turtle came up in the heat of the day and her nesting was witnessed by a number of residents of the area, including school children.
The small crowd gave her some space and she successfully dug her nest, laid her eggs (most likely about 100 of them) filled in the nest cavity, covered the whole area with sand to disguise their location and returned to the sea all within about 2 hours.
Press Release
St. Christopher Heritage Society 18 April 05
Leatherback Turtle Conservation
Fisheries Officer Ralph Wilkins and Nick Reed of the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network returned last week from a 5 day training seminar in Trinidad , where they joined persons from around the Caribbean to learn about tagging Leatherback Turtles.
The training included how to approach a turtle, when and how to apply the small numbered metal tag with a special applicator and what measurements should be recorded without unduly disturbing the nesting female. Turtle biology and sea turtle ecotourism were among other areas presented at the seminar. The training was lead by Scott Eckert of WIDECAST, the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, and sponsored by WIDECAST and Nature Seekers of Matura Beach, Trinidad .
On the night of Friday 9th April, Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Reed were accompanied by Kate Orchard, WIDECAST representative of the St. Christopher Heritage Society, Darren Browne, a Kittitian presently studying sea turtles at the University of the West Indies in Barbados , and several students from the Ross University to look for nesting turtles. The first Leatherback was measured and one tag applied to each of the back flippers with the numbers WC2523 and WC2513.
The data recorded during tagging, along with information collected by the monitoring network of nesting activity, will be filed locally as well as being sent to a central monitoring database kept by WIDECAST and the University of the West Indies . Darren Browne is currently in St. Kitts researching and tagging hawksbill turtles as part of his M. Phil thesis.
Any persons finding turtles with tags are asked to report the information to the Fisheries Department or the St. Christopher Heritage Society. It is illegal to disturb nesting turtles and strict guidelines for carrying out these activities must be adhered to. Proper training must be obtained along with authorisation from the Department of Fisheries so that the minimum disturbance is felt by the nesting sea turtle and the information gained can be shared by all.
Persons interested in being part of the monitoring team or who would like further information can contact Ralph Wilkins at the Department of Fisheries, Nick Reed at the Ross University or Kate Orchard at the St. Christopher Heritage Society.
Press Release
Department of Fisheries/SCHS, 12 April 2005
Photo 1 – The team measure the turtle (5’ 4” long). The flash lights have a red cover to reduce light disturbance. Photo 2 - The turtle lays nearly 100 golf-ball sized eggs in the deep nest she excavates in the sand.
N.B. Flash photography is avoided whenever possible. These photos were taken from behind the turtle while she was laying her eggs.
Sea Turtle Conservation
The St. Christopher Heritage Society was represented at the WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network) Annual General Meeting and the 25th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology in Savannah , Georgia by 7th semester Ross University student Kimberly Stewart.
The 17-18 January 2005 WIDECAST Annual General Meeting brought together Country Coordinators, representatives and their colleagues to discuss the particular needs of the wider Caribbean region, in which is included the Central and South American countries as well as all the islands.
The Symposium followed from the 19th to 21st January emphasising the theme of the meeting, "A quarter century of advancements that propel us into the future." The schedule included invited speakers from all over the world who highlighted the advancements in sea turtle conservation and biology over the past 25 years. They also described state-of- the-art technology used in sea turtle conservation and biology, including their projections of where research will lead us in the future.
Kimberly Stewart and Jennifer Richardville of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine along with Darren Browne a Kittitian presently studying sea turtle Biology in Barbados) fix a tag on a Hawksbill turtle at Frigate Bay, November 2004
Kimberly has been a member of the Heritage Society since she came to St. Kitts two years ago and has spearheaded a programme to monitor turtle nesting on St. Kitts, in particular the giant Leatherback turtles. She and Heritage Society Member Kate Orchard hope that we will soon have an expanded sea turtle conservation and education programme in St. Kitts and Nevis to protect these amazing creatures.
Anyone interested in knowing more about WIDECAST and the turtle monitoring programme in St. Kitts can contact the St. Christopher Heritage Society, the Old Treasury Building, Bay Road, Basseterre – 465 5584 (schs@caribsurf.com)
WIDECAST: Working together to build a future where all inhabitants of the Wider Caribbean Region, human and sea turtle alike, can live together in balance.”
Press release from the St. Christopher Heritage Society, 30 January 2005
Press Releases featuring the SKSTMN (Radio and Television):
2018
FREEDOM FM. Youth Beat. Interview about Plastic Free July. June 2018.
ZIZ Radio. Frank & Candid. Interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018.
WINN FM. Voices – Heritage Matters. Interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018
ZIZ Radio. Today in Tourism. Interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018
ZIZ TV. Plastic Free July Press Conference. July 2018
FREEDOM FM. Issues. Interview about Plastic Free July and SKSTMN Sea Turtle Camp. July 2018.
WINN FM. Animal Matters. Interview about plastic effects on wildlife and Plastic Free July. July 2018.
ZIZ Radio. Working for You. Interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018.
FREEDOM FM. Youth Beat. Mid-month follow up interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018.
WINN FM. Talking Trash. Interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018.
WINN FM. Morning News with Clive Bacchus. Interview about Plastic Free July. July 2018.
2017
ZIZ TV. Evening news segment. Interview on Plastic Free July campaign coy sponsored by SKSTMN and the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council. July 2017
WINN FM Talking Trash. Interview on Plastic Free July campaign coy sponsored by SKSTMN and the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council. July 2017
Freedom FM Youth Beat. Interview on Plastic Free July campaign progress coy sponsored by SKSTMN and the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council. July 2017
ZIZ Radio. Today in Tourism. Interview on Plastic Free July campaign coy sponsored by SKSTMN and the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council. June 2017
FREEDOM FM Youth Beat. Interview on Plastic Free July campaign co-‐sponsored by SKSTMN and the St, Kitts Sustainable Destination Council. June 2017
WINN FM. Animal Matters. Interview about SKSTMN and CERTIFIED TURTLE APPROVED. May 2017.
2016
WINN FM. Animal Matters. Interview about coral and turtles. August 2016.
2015
WINN FM Heritage Matters. Interview on sea turtle and SKSTMN.
2011
WINN FM Press Release. Interview on Satellite Project and Tag and Release Project. January 2011.
2010
WINN FM Heritage Matters. Interview on SKSTMN Satellite Initiative. October 2010. WINN FM Heritage Matters. Interview on SKSTMN Leatherback Project. May 2010.
WINN FM Heritage Matters. Interview on SKSTMN Sea Turtle Project and Interpretive Center Proposal. April 2010.
2009
Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) Glass Initiative resulted in 2 radio programs with Elmes Communications and 2 with WINN FM. 2009.
2009 Sea Turtle Camp resulted in 2 television presentations through ZIZ. July 2009.
2008
GEF-SGP interview for “On the Platform” for ZIZ. December 2008.