MSC Cruises‘ very own private island in the Caribbean has some new inhabitants! Since August hundreds of tiny Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings have been making their way to the sea from various nests that have appeared on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is not your standard Caribbean cruise destination, the island was founded on a strong commitment to helping conserve the abundance of marine life which inhabits the 64 square miles of protected waters around the island. Ocean Cay was in fact a former industrial sand excavation site that has been transformed, not only with the goal of being a welcoming destination for cruise passengers but also with the aim to attract local species of fauna and flora both on land and in the ocean.
This year, once evidence of nesting was identified on the Cay, all nesting sites were marked and monitored regularly, in order to protect these vulnerable species and ensure their best chance of survival. Procedures are in place within the island-wide Biodiversity Management Plan to encourage turtles and assure their protection, particularly during the egg-laying season.
“We are all absolutely thrilled to see Loggerhead turtles come to Ocean Cay’s beaches to lay eggs so soon. This can take many years to happen with a newly restored ecosystem and we weren’t certain that they would come or when. We hope to see many more hatchlings in future nesting seasons and that these recent arrivals return to Ocean Cay when the time comes for them to nest.”
Linden Coppell, MSC Cruises’ Sustainability Director
From the moment the island was built one of the main priorities on Ocean Cay was the restoration of the coral, which as an integral part of the marine ecosystem, needs to be protected as they ensure biodiversity and protect coastlines. The marine life around the island is already thriving and the waters have become popular with Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead sea turtles, with frequent sightings in the waters around the island. Ocean Cay is also an important foraging ground for young sea turtles and hatchlings when they frequent coastal habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs.
