Royal Navy teams wage war on plastic trash in a bid to save endangered Caribbean turtles

Crew from RFA Argus have been clearing waste plastics left strewn across the turtle’s beach habitats on the island of Curaçao.

The Dutch island, well known for its turtle population, has increasingly seen more and more trash washing up on its beaches, trapping turtles and potentially threatening their lives.

The volunteers from Argus headed for San Pedro on the island’s northern shore – an area worst hit with plastic – to clean the beach as part of help for the Curaçao Turtle Sanctuary.

‘I was shocked to see all the plastic that had washed up,’ said Lieutenant Annie Sykes, of the Royal Navy’s 845 Naval Air Squadron.

‘We were all tired at the end of the clean but it was rewarding too. It was good to assist with conservation of the local environment and it made me think about the plastic I use – even the straw in my next drink.

‘We did what we could, but I will remember the sad state of that beach forever.’

Teams worked through the oppressive Caribbean sun to clear as much waste as possible, focusing on large nets or items that can trap turtles.

At the same time, the Argus team were shown how to identify and sort any plastic waste that can be recycled.

Andy Moorehouse, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Cadet, said: ‘It was hard work at the beach, there was so much plastic but I was glad to get stuck in. It was really interesting to hear how much of the plastic can be sorted and re-used.’

SEE ALSO: Gosport man accused of murdering his brother tells court his sibling 'walked onto a knife' in a fit of rage

Following the beach clean the group of volunteers helped the Turtle Sanctuary fill up containers of fresh sea water.

This was ferried to a local vet’s where several injured or vulnerable turtles are being nursed back to health for release back into the wild.

Air Engineering Technician Danielle Peakman said: ‘After all the hard work in the morning it was great to then see the turtles. I was so excited.’

Cadet Moorehouse added: ‘I am so pleased to have had a chance to get off ship to do something different that really feels like we are helping.

‘To see the turtles was an added bonus but I am glad I could represent the RFA with the other military teams we have on ship.’

RFA Argus is based in the region to help British oversea territories during this year’s hurricane season.

Working as part of a naval task force alongside Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Medway, the group also helps to tackle drugs gangs and criminals at sea.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.