Annette Arjoon-Martins: Shell Beach’s Turtle Guardian Turns Conservation into Community Power

By Mark DaCosta- In the heart of our nation’s northwestern coastline lies Shell Beach, a once-troubled haven for four endangered species of marine turtles — the Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill, and Olive Ridley. Stretching over 120 kilometres, this vital ecosystem is where the indefatigable spirit of local communities now intertwines with conservation efforts to protect our marine biodiversity. Annette Arjoon-Martins has emerged as a beacon of hope, transforming the narrative of turtle conservation through an innovative approach that sees local poachers become guardians of the very creatures they once threatened.

The plight of marine turtles in our coastal waters has historically been dire. For many years, poaching was rampant. Local communities, predominantly made up of indigenous Arawak, Warrau, and Carib peoples, relied on the turtles and their eggs for sustenance and income, leading to drastic declines in turtle populations. Early recognition of the area’s ecological value came from sea turtle biologist Dr. Peter Pritchard in the 1980s, yet traditional methods of conservation, which primarily involved legal enforcement, failed to take into account the economic realities of these communities.

The narrative began to shift when Annette Arjoon-Martins took to the sky as a commercial pilot, permitting her to witness the perilous situation from above. Having established an ecotourism venture in the area by 1992, her passion for the environment was ignited, and it became evident that merely prohibiting hunting was not enough.