I am going to enclose a link to tbe Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Org website with a story which I found extremely upsetting. I received an email memo (which I am certain a lot of my fellow BT'ers received, as well) and I thought I would start this new thread so everyone on BT could be made aware of the recent activities at Boka Onima beach area.

I have sent a memo off to STCB this evening and perhaps some of you out there might be able to do the same.

This is outrageous. I don't know if the sand is being taken for construction purposes, beach fillers elsewhere or what but it is certainly not acceptable and it is very illegal.

Thanks for listening. Carole

Here is the link to the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire website. Please refer to the story listed as:

"AUGUST 10., 2005 - PROTEST AGAINST ILLEGAL SAND-MINING ACTIVITIES AT BOKA ONIMA" for the details of what has occurred. cb

http://www.bonairenature.com/turtles/

http://www.bonairenature.com/turtles/

Carole, who would be the best person to send a letter, the prosecutors office? The turtle foundation? I hope they get these guys...

I sent my note off to the SCTB directly. The email they sent out made reference to being able to do that. The email is on my "other" email address. I will see if I can grab it in a moment and post it here, too.

I think the SCTB will forward any and all comments it receives themselves onto the persons/organizations who will be involved in the pursuit of possible prosecution of those who arae responsible. I believe they did notify the Prosecutor's office.

Guess it couldn't hurt to write to the SCTB and copy the prosecutor, too. I don't recall their address, tho...I know it was in an earlier thread on another topic, tho.

It will be interesting to see exactly "who" is responsible here...there has already been some "finger pointing' by the equipment operators as to "who" told them to do this....Carole

Hi, again, Cyn...here is the email address I used for my note to the SCTB:

stcb@bonaireturtles.org

I hope they get some action. Thanks. CArole

Thanks Carole, I also just peeked at this weeks online Bonaire Reporter and they have the article there as well. I'll shoot an email off today.

Nobody else out there? Hmmmm. cb

This item is in Amigoé online today:

"Demonstrations against destroying of turtle nests 

BONAIRE – A group of nature lovers, divers, had conducted a protest demonstration against destroying of sea turtle nests near Boca Onima.  The youth was well represented.  They demanded the government to make sure that the sand is brought back to the area, so that the turtles can lay their eggs again. 

The turtle that tried to lay her eggs on the beach of Boca Onima in the night of Monday to Tuesday, tried this again the next night.  The traces of the search for a place to lay her eggs could clearly be seen.  Stinapa Bonaire and the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire were also represented in the demonstrations.  The head of the DROB declared for the radio that removing the sand was necessary, so that the rainwater can easily run to sea."

Do I understand correctly that this sand removal was done by the government (DROB)????? What has the rainwater been doing these last few thousand years??? Sounds like an after-the-fact, lame excuse for taking easy sand. Where was it taken to????

Glen, it sounds like there is more behind this than is being offered "up front". I guess "someone" figured that Boka Onima was not a very "popular" area for anyone and that maybe no one would notice or it would cause the "least damage" ?? Either way, it's not good.

Nature has taken care of itself for ions, as you pointed out.

WHERE did they take the sand?? Should be interesting to find that out, too.

Poor turtle was trying to dig a hole through coral and rock...can't be done.

I'm glad to see that folks did get together to make their voice heard to those in charge.

I hope we can find out more about this incident and what was really behind the whole matter. Carole

They (the Gov.) are fixing a lot of roads right now with no money to pay. Makes you kind of wonder?

Definitely, Walt....someone "needed" or "wanted" this sand for a reason and it wasn't for the flow of rainwater, most definitely...IMHO, of course. Keep us posted if anything develops. Carole

Rubbish...pure rubbish...breaks my heart to think of a turtle trying to dig through coral rubble Carole...yes, if anyone has any more information, please keep us posted. I hope the protests make headway...

The initial report said that the sand removal was 'illegal'. If so, then everyone who is responsible, from orders to action, should be prosecuted. We shall see.