Fernando de Noronha has the first turtle hatchlings of the season | Living Noronha

The Tamar Project held, on Thursday (21), the first opening of baby sea turtle nests of the 2023/2024 season in Fernando de Noronha. The birth of the animals took place at Praia do Sueste, which is part of the National Marine Park and has few spawnings during the season. Only three nests were found at the site.

“The sand strip is small. Therefore, we have few spawnings in this location. In the Southeast, the tide rises, and the turtle runs out of space. Carrying out this activity is very important because it is in this area. It is an environmental education and awareness-raising action”, explained Tamar coordinator, Rafaely Ventura.

The researcher stated that the puppies were born on Thursday morning (21) spontaneously. In total, 15 turtles that were unable to reach the sea were protected for the journey.

The species that spawns in Fernando de Noronha is Chelonia mydas, popularly known as the green turtle. The female lays, on average, 120 eggs, which take between 45 and 60 days to hatch.

Until Thursday (21), Tamar counted 90 nests in Fernando de Noronha. The researchers estimated that around 300 people, including residents and tourists, attended the birth of the puppies.

Trader Juliana Câmara, who lives on the island, has seen the nest opening several times and took her daughters to watch for the first time. “I brought my daughters so they can have contact with nature. It is very important to raise environmental awareness from an early age,” she said.

Public employee Edleuza Santos also lives in Noronha and took her granddaughter to see the birth of the puppies. “It’s a very beautiful moment. I’ve seen it several times, it’s wonderful. I brought my granddaughter so she could follow the activity and experience Noronha”, she declared.

Her granddaughter took advantage of the environmental programming. “I really liked. It was the second time I saw the birth, it’s really cool”, said Cecília, who is 10 years old.

Tourist Laís Aquino, from Aracaju, is a public servant and also witnessed the birth of the turtles. “I thought it was beautiful, especially because of the presence of the children. It is an environmental education action that generates a feeling of preserving the environment. I was delighted,” she stated.

Professor Mércia Ferreira, a tourist from São Paulo, followed the phenomenon for the first time. “It was a wonderful, unforgettable experience. It will be remembered forever,” she said.

The sea turtle breeding season began in November 2023, when the first nest was found, and should continue until June this year, with the birth of more hatchlings.