Turtle Soup

Every region of the country has its local traditions or work environment. We, the people, enjoy doing our thing. However as the population increases and natural resources decrease, conflicts arise. That’s the Pacific Northwest’s two hot topics: salmon and owls.
As the salmon runs diminished both Native and Non-native fought for the right to fish. In our regional treaties it states that the Native population gets half of the commercial take. And the fight begins. Nets are cut; guns are drawn. Many of the depleted runs can be traced back to poor timber harvesting techniques, which caused silt deposits in the spawning streams. To add more problems the logging off of ancient forests were eliminating habitat for the endangered spotted owl. Timber cutting was reduced; jobs were lost and bumper stickers showed up declaring that the only owl that was good was in spotted owl soup.
Hold that thought; now change the Pacific Northwest backdrop to the Barrier Islands – the Cape Hatteras Islands and you have the same situation.
The Cape Hatteras Islands are prime ocean surf fishing areas. Folks would drive their horse and wagons on the beaches and surf fish. These were replaced with trucks in time. Both locals and sport fishermen enjoyed the pastime. However the same beaches are the nesting grounds for sea turtles and piping plovers. With increased human population and increased use of beach driving and a conflict explodes. The tire ruts in the sand keep both turtle and plover hatchlings from reaching the sea. Tires disrupt the nesting areas. Locals against the environmentalist. Lost jobs; Lost revenue. And the beat goes on. “Keep our beaches open!” “The only good turtle is in a soup!”
The National Park Service that controls the beaches in the area are trying to implement a management program of which the most stark reminder is a portable highway sign at the entrance highway declaring “No beach driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.” plus specific “ramp” closures – access to the beach through the sand dunes.
Environmental awareness is always a struggle. In Florida there’re billboards on beach highways stating no beach lights from July to October so that sea turtle hatchlings can get to the surf and safety. (The hatchlings are instinctively attracted to the white breaking surf at night and get confused which way to go when there are lights shining on the beach.) Virginia is still trying to get sports fisherman to work with them on endangered species. “But we have always driven the beaches around here.” When there were only a few, no problem. Now the beaches can look like a parking lot with vehicles. Taking away traditional ways of doing things is always a challenge and still try to meet the needs of both humans and animals. The Cape Hatteras Islands are in the middle of this.