04/22/2025
This Earth Day, we are highlighting the conservation efforts of the Sea Turtles of the Northern Island of the Seychelles Archipelago!
The islands’ rich natural resources sustained local livelihoods through fishing and hunting for centuries. Among the most exploited marine species were hawksbill and green turtles. The hawksbill were particularly sought after for its ornate shells, which were made into luxury items, decorative ornaments, and furniture. While the green turtle was prized for its dried calipee, a key ingredient in turtle soup, a delicacy in European and colonial cuisine.
The islands’ rich natural resources sustained local livelihoods through fishing and hunting for centuries. Among the most exploited marine species were hawksbill and green turtles. The hawksbill was particularly sought after for its ornate shells, which were made into luxury items, decorative ornaments, and furniture. While the green turtle was prized for its dried calipee, a key ingredient in turtle soup, a delicacy in European and colonial cuisine.
This exploitation led to a dramatic decline in Hawksbill populations and a serious decline in green turtles worldwide, prompting a global ban on the tortoiseshell trade under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in 1977. In response, Seychelles took decisive action, implementing strict conservation measures to protect its remaining sea turtles.
Through sustained efforts, North Island has emerged as a critical rookery for both green and hawksbill turtles. In 2019, we recorded the highest number of nesting green turtles in the inner islands of Seychelles, and data shows a 29-fold increase in their population. Hawksbill nesting activity is also on the rise, with a 6-fold increase since 1998, mirroring trends observed across Seychelles since the 1994 legislation granted full legal protection to sea turtles.
