ST. CROIX — The National Park Service is celebrating its twenty-ninth year of research on the sea turtles nesting at the Buck Island Reef National Monument. N.P.S, along with its partner agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife, VICZM, St. Croix East End Marine Park, and The Nature Conservancy) are informing the community about sea turtles and the special consideration given to them while they nest in the territory.<\/p>\n
The nesting season for Virgin Island sea turtles (leatherback, green, loggerhead, and hawksbill) begins in March and continues through December of each year, according to NPS. There are several key nesting areas on St. Croix, including Buck Island Reef, Sandy Point and St. Croix\u2019s East End Beaches. Also included are Southgate, Coakley Bay, and Half Penny Beach on the south shore.<\/p>\n
Nearly all beaches on St. Croix are utilized by nesting sea turtles, NPS said.<\/p>\n
On July 21, NPS began nightly patrols to protect nesting turtles at the beaches on Buck Island Reef, and has initiated\u00a0long-term research on these endangered sea turtles.\u00a0The patrolling runs through October 31.<\/p>\n
NPS also reminded the public that Buck Island beaches are closed to visitors after sunset until sunrise. All boats doing overnights at West Beach Anchorage will have to confirm overnight permit with NPS Law Enforcement prior to stay, according to the release. Contact 340-773-1460 or 340-277-6794 for more information.<\/p>\n
If you encounter turtles nesting or hatchlings on any St. Croix beach,\u00a0NPS said it is important to remember the following:<\/p>\n
Buck Island Reef National Monument NPS Resource Management 24-hr contact at (340) 277-6794<\/p>\n
NPS Headquarters Christiansted: (340) 773-1460 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm).<\/p>\n
Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue Network (STAR) 24-hr hotline: 340-690-0474 At Sandy Point<\/p>\n
National WildlifeRefuge USFWS: (340) 773-4554 or (340) 690-9451.<\/p>\n
All other locations should contact D.P.N.R. Enforcement: 340-244-9066 VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife: 340-773-1082.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ST. CROIX — The National Park Service is celebrating its twenty-ninth year of research on the sea turtles nesting at the Buck Island Reef National Monument. N.P.S, along with its partner agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife, VICZM, St. Croix East End Marine Park, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":42577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[628,191,147],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n