Page 49 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands
P. 49
We were invited to visit the historic turtle pens which had been used for about 200
years to make sure that passing ships could get green turtles aboard for fresh meat
during long voyages because the turtles could last so long without food and water.
The ponds are no longer in use since the green turtle is now protected and
encouraged to return to Ascension for breeding purposes. Stedson, our guide, told us
that nowadays when a turtle gets itself stranded among the rocks or otherwise in
trouble, 4-5 fellows wade out into the waters to free the creature from its trap or
solve its problem so that it can go about its business of reproduction. Quite a
different attitude towards the turtle.
49
