turtles swim among tourists

A turtle has been trying to find its way between bathers for about an hour. She is used to the site, despite the tourist traffic on a beach in Martinique, Wednesday August 3. “We think it’s the same one that passes and goes around, it’s impressive”, says a vacationer. Here, observation is free, without a guide to remind you of the regulations. So some swimmers try to intervene. “Don’t touch her”warns a man.

However, the rule is indicated on a sign at the entrance to the beach: swimmers must stay at least five meters away from the animal. Of the seven species of sea turtles, five frequent the French West Indies. Most of them are listed as endangered. Tourists may also disturb turtles at their nesting site. Martinique has a hundred beaches where births have been observed.