This turtle takes its name from the color of its fat, which is green. It has 2 prefrontal scales and a rounded beak.
It lives in seagrass beds where it finds its food: various marine plants, notably “turtle grass”.
In the past, turtles laid their eggs on Martinique’s beaches (March to October). Today, only a few tracks are spotted each year.
In Creole, it’s called “Tôti blan”.
In the West Indian tale, the turtle is embodied by Compère Tortue. He is a character with a dual personality: either magical-religious or burlesque.
The turtle owes its name to the interlocking scales on its shell. They overlap one another.
It has 4 prefrontal scales and a hooked beak. It can be observed in coral reefs, where it eats sponges.
It breeds on Martinique’s beaches, laying eggs at night between March and October.
In Creole, it’s called “Karet”.
Turtle eggs were eaten by Martinicans some forty years ago. Turtle steak and offal (gelatinous) were served in restaurants, until the decree protecting the species in 1993. It is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
This is the largest sea turtle, measuring up to 2 m in length. It has no scales: its carapace looks like leather (hence the name “Leatherback”) and is formed of 5 long keels. Pelagic, it lives in the open sea and can dive to depths of up to 1,000 m. It feeds on jellyfish. In this way, it contributes to the natural balance by limiting their proliferation. Thanks to its beak with several sharp points and the large, soft spines in its oesophagus, it holds on to captured jellyfish and shreds them before they enter its stomach.
It crosses the Atlantic Ocean to spawn between March and July in tropical areas.
In Creole, it’s called “Tôti a klin”.
Its origins date back to the time of the dinosaurs, but unfortunately it is a critically endangered species today.
-> Don’t throw garbage into the sea, as turtles ingest debris and floating plastic bags that can resemble jellyfish. Use reusable shopping bags or cups.
-> In the sea or on the beach, if you come across sea turtles, practice “passive observation”:
-> Don’t touch them, keep your distance, and when at sea, don’t chase them.
-> Be careful where you set your parasol or light a fire to avoid destroying eggs and killing hatchlings.
-> Don’t use motorized vehicles on beaches to avoid crushing nests.
-> In the evening, do not disturb, touch or shine lights on nesting turtles or their nests.
-> Do not touch or collect hatchlings.
-> Don’t throw garbage into the sea, as turtles ingest debris and floating plastic bags, which can resemble jellyfish. Use reusable shopping bags or cups.
-> In the sea or on the beach, if you come across sea turtles, practice “passive observation”:
-> Don’t touch them, keep your distance, and when at sea, don’t chase them.
-> Be careful where you set your parasol or light a fire to avoid destroying eggs and killing hatchlings.
-> Don’t use motorized vehicles on beaches to avoid crushing nests.
-> In the evening, do not disturb, touch or shine lights on nesting turtles or their nests.
-> Do not touch or collect newborns.
If you suspect poaching, contact one of the following numbers:
SMPE: 06 96 27 66 27
DEAL: 06 96 84 84 98
POLICE: 17
Marine turtles are on the IUCN Red List and are considered critically endangered.
The network is managed by the Direction de l’Environnement de l’Aménagement et du Logement (DEAL) and coordinated by the Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (ONCFS).
Its role is to support actions to protect and study Martinique’s marine turtles, and to raise awareness among administrations, communes, managers and the general public.
If you find a dead or wounded turtle, call the Réseau Tortues Marines on 06 96 23 42 35.
Its skin is mottled white, especially on the back. Newborns have no spots. They appear progressively in young adults, increasing with age.
A shy dolphin, it approaches boats and performs acrobatics.
On the Caribbean coast of Martinique, there is a resident population of 500 to 1,000 individuals.
All cetacean species are protected in Martinique (Arrêté du 1er juillet 2011). Intentional disturbance, including the pursuit or harassment of marine mammals, is strictly prohibited.
The largest toothed cetacean, it can measure up to 18 m in length. Its breath is directed obliquely to the left and forward.
Sperm whales slow down their heart rate during diving. Thanks to this adaptation, the sperm whale can dive for 2 hours, descending to a depth of 3,000 m, where it finds its food: large squid.
In Martinique, it is estimated that a population composed of juveniles and females resides year-round.
To promote the responsible observation of marine mammals in Martinique, the DEAL has drawn up a “Charter for the responsible approach and observation of marine mammals in Martinique”.
Humpbacks are present in the Caribbean from December to May to reproduce. It can be seen making spectacular jumps out of the water, striking the water with its flippers to play, scratch, seduce and communicate, and also to impress predators.
The black and white spots under the tail and the shape of the trailing edge of the tail fin, different for each animal, are as unique as human fingerprints.
The humpback whale is known for its songs, produced only by the male during the breeding season.
Human activities (disturbance, collisions, noise pollution, habitat degradation, pollution, fishing…) have a real impact on marine mammals.
The “AGOA” sanctuary was created to protect and enhance the marine environment of the Greater Caribbean Region.
Its name comes from its large, rounded head. Latin for “globular head”.
It can dive to depths of 500 m, feeding mainly on squid, which it hunts mainly at night.
The social cohesion of the group is such that it is responsible for spectacular mass strandings: an entire herd blindly accompanying its sick or elderly leader.
The Réseau National Échouage (RNE) was created to respond effectively to emergency situations (when the animals are still alive) and to collect biological and ecological data.
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