Two travel on turtle tour

The endangered Hawksbill Turtle will get a helping hand from two Peninsula residents later this year when they travel to Vanuatu to sponsor and release baby turtles from a hatchery on Moso Island.

Umina Beach marine conservationists Jeannie Lawson and David Fitzgerald will spend 10 days on Moso Island releasing mature Hawksbill Turtles back into the wild.

Villagers from Moso Island captured a number turtles 12 months ago, when they were only the size of a thumbnail.

One year on, the baby turtles will be released at 30cm in diameter, a size where they are less vulnerable to predators in the wild.

The numbers released will depend on how many Jeannie and David can get sponsored.

They currently have 10 sponsored and hope to raise this number to 20.

The scheme was organised by Australian Owen Drew, who now lives in Port Vila and runs the Tranquility Island Resort on Moso.

The program, funded mainly through sponsorship, is designed to help both the endangered Hawksbill Turtle and the Ni Vanuatu people.

"Villagers are taught about their environment and to value the turtles as an economic benefit to their country through eco-tourism rather than as a food source," Ms Lawson said.

"They are also paid a 'finder's fee' for bringing baby turtles to the hatchery, and wages as they help care for the babies for 12 months."

Ms Lawson said that Peninsula residents could sponsor a turtle for release during their tour in October.

"We did this for the first time last year and managed to get sponsors for about 10 turtles.

"This year we aim to double that if the community will get behind the idea.

"I also want people to know that their contribution makes a much bigger difference than they may realise.

"Many Vanuatu villagers live in third world conditions.

"By supporting a program like this, you can make a big difference to people's lives, as well as saving the turtles and assisting the environment," she said.

It costs $75 to sponsor a turtle from nest to release a year later.

There also is still one space remaining to join the group on their trip to release the turtles.

The trip includes tours of the Islands, snorkelling, scuba diving and walks.

To sponsor a turtle, or to find out more, contact Jeannie or David on 4341 4291.

Email, July 7 Jeannie Lawson