Since August, MSC Cruises has been delighted to see hundreds of tiny loggerhead turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea from numerous nests that have appeared on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company's private island. These historic sightings are the culmination of MSC Cruises' successful project to restore the island and surrounding waters to their former state as a thriving environment for native flora and fauna. More than six nests have been identified so far and are being monitored on the island.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises' private island in The Bahamas, is built on a strong commitment to marine conservation, with 64 square miles of protected waters surrounding the island. From its inception, Ocean Cay's goal has been to restore the former industrial sand mining site to its original beauty and attract local flora and fauna, both on land and in the ocean. Since opening in late 2019, the island has been progressively transformed into a lush tropical paradise with a rich marine ecosystem, and evidence of the conservation program's progress can be seen in the fact that loggerhead turtle hatchlings have been observed making their way to the sea from nests on the island.
Linden Coppell, MSC Cruises' Director of Sustainability, said: “We are all absolutely delighted to see the loggerhead turtles arriving on Ocean Cay's beaches to lay eggs so soon. This can take many years to occur in a newly restored ecosystem, and we weren't sure they would come, or when. We hope to see many more hatchlings in future nesting seasons and that these newcomers will return to Ocean Cay when it's time to nest.”.
This year, once signs of nesting were identified, all nest sites were marked and regularly monitored to protect these vulnerable species and ensure their best chance of survival. The island's Biodiversity Management Plan includes procedures to encourage turtles and guarantee their protection, especially during the egg-laying season.
One of the priorities at Ocean Cay is coral restoration, which, as an integral part of the marine ecosystem, must be protected, as it ensures biodiversity and protects coastlines. Marine life around the island is thriving, and the waters have become popular with green, hawksbill, and loggerhead sea turtles, with frequent sightings in the waters around the island. Ocean Cay is an important feeding ground for young sea turtles and hatchlings, as they frequent coastal habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs.
During the island's restoration, a freshwater wetland was identified as an important ecological feature supporting the bird population. This was protected, and as a result, several different bird species have been observed on the island, including breeding pairs, a resident burrowing owl, and an increase in migratory populations.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is a unique highlight of MSC Cruises' Caribbean itineraries, and every aspect of the island is being developed with the vision of creating a truly memorable experience based on the island's core philosophy: the discovery of nature. This sustainable destination offers activities that allow passengers to connect with nature, and plans are underway to provide opportunities to learn about ocean protection and the importance of preserving coral reefs through dedicated educational entertainment programs.
