Green Sea Turtle are one of the most commonly seen sea turtle species around St. Croix and throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are named for the green-colored fat beneath their shell rather than the color of their outer body. Unlike many other sea turtles, adult green sea turtles are primarily herbivores and spend much of their time grazing on seagrass and algae in shallow coastal habitats. This grazing is extremely important because it keeps seagrass beds healthy and productive, which benefits fish, conch, rays, and many other marine species that depend on these ecosystems. Green sea turtles are powerful long-distance migrators and often return to the same beaches where they hatched years earlier to lay their own eggs.
St. Croix is especially important for sea turtle conservation because it supports nesting beaches and feeding grounds for several Caribbean turtle species. In addition to green sea turtles, the island’s waters are home to Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Hawksbills are commonly associated with coral reefs, leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles in the world and nest on St. Croix beaches, and loggerheads are occasional visitors to local waters. Although sea turtles were historically harvested throughout the Caribbean for meat, eggs, and shells, they are now protected species. Conservation efforts in the USVI focus on protecting nesting beaches, reducing fishing entanglements, and preserving healthy reef and seagrass habitats that turtles rely on for survival.
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