From March to October 2026, a program to monitor sea turtle nesting will be carried out on 72 beaches in Martinique. Coordinated by L’Asso-Mer in partnership with several local organizations, this program relies largely on trained volunteers tasked with identifying and documenting the tracks left in the sand.
Every year, three species come to lay their eggs on Martinique’s beaches: the hawksbill turtle, the leatherback turtle, and the green turtle. This is a crucial stage in their life cycle, but also a particularly vulnerable period due to coastal urbanization, light pollution, accidental bycatch, and disturbances to the females.
Traces that provide information about beach use
Monitoring takes place early in the morning, after the turtles may have come ashore during the night. Between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., volunteers patrol the beaches looking for signs of turtles coming ashore and returning to the sea.
Using a smartphone and a tape measure, they record several pieces of information: the location of the track, its dimensions, and the characteristics that help identify the species in question. They must also determine whether the turtle actually dug a nest or left without laying eggs.
These observations provide a better understanding of where and when turtles frequent the Martinique coastline. Collected over several months and years, the data also help track changes in nesting activity.
The goal, therefore, is not simply to count the number of visits. The information collected should make it possible to tailor conservation measures to the specific conditions observed on each beach.
The regular presence of turtles can, for example, help raise public awareness, reduce sources of disturbance, or improve the condition of certain areas through revegetation.
A network of nonprofit organizations coordinated across Martinique
In 2026, L’Asso-Mer will coordinate the monitoring of nesting activity in collaboration with Roots of the Sea, Grandeur Nature Initiative, and Green Grace Turtle.
This joint effort is intended to cover 72 beaches spread across the entire country. Each association works with volunteers in its area to organize patrols, communicate the protocol, and ensure that observations are reported.
The initiative is part of the National Action Plan for Marine Turtles in the Lesser Antilles. The plan sets out research and conservation objectives for these protected species by engaging institutional, scientific, and nonprofit stakeholders in the French Antilles.
Resident participation remains a key component of this monitoring effort. To join the network, new volunteers must complete a preliminary training session lasting about three hours. This training teaches them how to identify different species, interpret tracks, and properly follow the collection protocol.
After completing this training, they join the group corresponding to their sector and can choose the days and time slots during which they wish to work.
Beyond the scientific data collection, this initiative helps raise awareness about sea turtles and the precautions to take at their nesting sites. The campaign thus extends not only to the beaches but also through public awareness efforts aimed at the general public.
Anyone wishing to obtain more information or join the follow-up program can contact the team at the following address: suividetracemartinique@gmail.com.
