Turtle meat and turtle soup have been consumed for centuries, to the point where sea turtle populations are in trouble. They were invited by the Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation Organisation to tell the story of its efforts to save leatherback, green sea and hawksbill turtles. "Unfortunately, their populations are in dramatic decline for a number of reasons but primarily it's because they are poached quite regularly," Mr Sidey said. The turtles can weigh hundreds of kilograms and Mr Sidey said a single turtle can be worth "up to $10,000". While filming leatherback turtles coming ashore to nest, Mr Sidey and Ms Young could often see the lights of poachers on the beach.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 24, 2019 16:33 UTC