Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) is dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats in Curaçao and nearby areas. These endangered species face threats like habitat loss, pollution, and illegal fishing. STCC addresses these challenges through monitoring, education, and active conservation efforts. By working with local and international partners, the organization takes a comprehensive approach to ensure the survival of sea turtles for future generations.

2024 milestones

Supported by WWF-NL, STCC has made substantial progress in its conservation efforts over the past year:

• Monitoring and safeguarding 80 sea turtle nests—65 on Klein Curaçao and 15 on the main island—resulted in approximately 3,500 hatchlings making their way to the sea.
• Strategic relocation of vulnerable nests helped mitigate risks from tides and human activity.
• Comprehensive training sessions enhanced the skills of over 30 volunteers. These programs emphasized nest identification, data collection, and rescue operations, creating a strong team equipped to tackle conservation challenges.
• Injured turtles were successfully rescued and rehabilitated, including one turtle treated for six months before being released back into the wild.
• The “Enjoy Nature, Respect Wildlife” initiative was launched to promote wildlife conservation and educate the public on preserving marine biodiversity.
• Netting sessions at key locations, including Boka Ascension, provided vital data on local turtle populations. These efforts also revealed an encouraging trend of population stability, with multiple healthy turtles observed and recorded.

 

Educational Material

STCC made new brochures for tourist operators, offering guidance on how to interact with sea turtles responsibly and instructing them on what to communicate to tourists about appropriate behavior around these animals. Take a look at these brochures.