A hawksbill turtle swimming over a reef in the Caribbean UKOTs

Turtles in Montserrat

The island of Montserrat is an important nesting site for marine turtles in the Eastern Caribbean. Along with our local partners, we’re helping to recover and manage these populations.

    Montserrat as an island

    Montserrat is known as the Emerald Isle due to its lush forests and historical links with Ireland. This Caribbean UK Overseas Territory might look idyllic, but violent volcanic eruptions between 1995 and 1997 destroyed the capital Plymouth. About two-thirds of the island became uninhabitable and thousands of people were displaced, with many settling in the UK.

    Since then, Montserrat has been focused on recovery and rebuilding. Turtle conservation may be a small issue compared with other challenges, but ecotourism has an important part to play in many peoples’ vision for the future.

    Montserrat Volcano

    Montserrat volcano  |  Image credit: Nicola Weber

    Turtles in Montserrat

    Montserrat hosts populations of endangered green and critically endangered hawksbill turtles. The tropical waters, reefs and seagrass beds are ideal foraging grounds for juveniles. Nesting adults turtles migrate hundreds, or even thousands, of miles to lay their eggs in the sandy beaches where they were born.

    The people of Montserrat have an enduring relationship with marine turtles. For centuries, turtle eggs and meat were an important source of protein, while the shell of the hawksbill turtle was made into jewellery and sold to tourists.

    Mating green turtles at Montserrat

    Mating green turtles at Montserrat  |  Image credit: Amdeep Sanghera

    A Marine Turtle Action Plan for Montserrat

    Little is known about the size of the numbers of turtles nesting on Montserrat, so more research was needed to ensure their protection.

    Marine Conservation Society has been working with local project partners to develop a turtle conservation action plan.

    The project, led by the Government of Montserrat and the University of Exeter, has been using a combination of biological research, social science and community engagement to develop a Marine Turtle Action Plan for Montserrat.

    Montserrat Marine Turtle Plan
    A green turtle with satellite attached

    A green turtle with satellite attached  |  Image credit: Jack Wiggins/UoE

    Our team tagged 10 nesting females (nine green turtles and one hawksbill turtle). You can follow their journey on our interactive map.

    Using science and community for conservation

    The relationship between Montserratians and marine turtles is poorly understood outside of the island. We used our tried-and-tested Community Voice Method to record the thoughts, opinion, values and knowledge of local people to factor into the plan.

    Engaging local communities is vital for the future recovery and management of marine turtle populations.

    The project is funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Plus initiative, which provides vital funding to support projects aiming to protect the natural environment of the UKOT’s.

    What you can do

    A scene showing an underwater/surface split with a moon jellyfish below the water and scenes of Loch Leven's surrounding hills above. The sky is thick with cloud.

    Report a marine turtle sighting

    We want to hear about the wildlife you spot at the coast and at sea, especially marine turtles and jellyfish in UK and Irish waters.
    A green sea turtle swimming along the Great Barrier Reef off Australia. The turtle is looking and swimming toward the camera.

    Find out about turtles in the UK

    Marine turtles have been around for millions of years and play a vital role in balancing marine ecosystems, especially controlling jellyfish numbers.