Alarm over rising deaths of endangered sea turtles in Kilifi

At least 80 sea turtles have died in the last two months along Marereni beach in Kilifi County, raising fears that the reptiles could soon be extinct. 

A marine scientist yesterday said the rate at which the sea turtles were dying was alarming.

Dr Thomas Mkare, a lead researcher at the Kenya Maritime and Research Institute (KEMRI), said 60 per cent of the deaths were caused by fishing-related causes, including poaching.

Three species

“Between January 1 and March 9, this year, 80 cases of deaths, especially of young turtles, have been reported by Marereni Biodiversity Conservancy," said Dr Mkare.

The official said three Kenyan species – Green Turtle, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley – that are a tourist attraction in Watamu could soon be endangered.

He said that apart from turtles, fishes such as groupers, rays and box fish have also been dying at an alarming rate along the country's coastline.

There are seven species of turtles in the world and Kenya is home to five of them. The five are the biggest attraction for turtle researchers from across the world.

"Thirty per cent of the turtles die for unknown reasons while 10 per cent die because of fibropapillomatosis or tumour disease," he said.

Fibropapillomatosis is a disease that attacks turtles and leads to tumours.

Mkare said the turtles in some cases are found dismembered, with their heads and flippers cut off.

Trawling menace

"It was disheartening to see that the species that are mostly dying are those three that nest in Kenya and are also nearly becoming extinct," he said.

The scientist noted that the physical nature of the dead turtles reported in Marereni imply trawlers could be coming very close to the shores.

Dr Mkare cited the illegal fishing method as one of the reasons of the increased turtle deaths.

“Setting of nets at seagrass and coral areas, where turtles frequently visit to feed, and spear guns have all contributed to the deaths of the turtles,” said Mkare.