As two divers struggle to lift an equally terrified and struggling turtle to the water's surface out of the grip of the net all three appear confused about why they are doing this.

Sitting outside the circle of entrapment created by the 2,000 foot net, this reporter pondered how a symbol of death and destruction of these majestic creatures has turned into their hope for resurrection as part of the Bermuda Turtle Project.

When the Bermuda Turtle Project was initiated in 1968 by Dr. H. Clay Frick II, a Trustee of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, Bermuda's turtle population was severely depleted. The Green Turtle is the predominate seagoing reptile in Bermuda. However an affinity for soup made from the green fat found under their shell, which also gave them their name, almost led to their extinction.

It is listed as an endangered animal by the US under the US Federal Endangered Species Act and internationally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

That is why for two weeks this summer a group of Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo workers, students and conservation workers from around the world gathered in Bermuda for the eleventh international course on sea turtle biology and conservation taught by Dr. Peter Meylen, a scientist based at Eckerd College in Florida since 1991.

Coordinating the project is Jennifer Gray who says the project's research will hopefully be a breakthrough for sea turtle information.

She said: "We measure the plastron (belly) length and width and the carapace (back). Then from the plastron to the cloaca and then to the tip of the tail.

"We're doing these measurements because we can't tell boy from girl before they reach maturity so we're taking these to see if there is any early identification. Nobody has been able to do it, but we are still trying."

To actually tell if a turtle is a boy or a girl scientists must take the blood of the turtle for two samples- to see what sex the turtle is and for genetic mapping.

This is part of the reason for Wendy Dow, who works for Widecast, an NGO that provides wider Caribbean Governments with information on sea turtles in the region came to Bermuda.

"I have spent one and half years trying to map out nesting sites of turtles around the Caribbean," she said, "It is good to do field work because I'm usually in management and it could be difficult to know how tricky it is to gather information in the field and to see what those gathering the data have to go through."

Field work for the Bermuda Turtle Project includes boarding the Fisheries boat, Calamus at 9 a.m. from the Grotto Bay dock to go to different dive sites that included North Rock, Bailey's Bay and Daniel's Head.

Yesterday, with Royal Gazette reporter and photographer in tow, the group went to Cow Ground Flats in Somerset. After a quick lecture, it was all hands on deck of the smaller catch-boat to get to the dive site.

The net is then set out in a circle with divers disembarking from the launch. The catch boat remains inside the circle to 'scare' the turtles into the net.

Vigilant divers ¿ this reporter and photographer included yesterday ¿ continuously circle the net from inside and out to ensure any turtle caught is quickly hauled to the surface.

Outstretched arms bring the catch boat speeding over to lift the turtle out of the water, placing them on the boat. Once all turtles in the area are captured the tedious task of dragging in the net takes place.

An hour and a half later, tagging, weighing, measuring and the blood taking process begin to understand who these animals are. These Green turtles can travel thousands of miles and because they are migratory animals, a conservation approach inherently requires a collaborative effort.

Beverly Mae Nisbeth travelled from St. Martin- the Dutch part- to participate because she works for the NGO Nature Foundation of St. Martin.

"I am here to learn more about conservation for policy implementation," she said, "This experience has been beyond my expectations.

"What has really struck me is what an Island is doing can affect the turtles on the other islands. It really is a collaborative effort for all of the Caribbean."

Echoing her sentiments was Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield who participated in the project on Wednesday afternoon.

"In one of the longest running studies of these magnificent animals anywhere in the world, conservation efforts of the Bermuda Turtle Project are not only of local importance," Minister Butterfield said, "but also provides the visiting scientists with knowledge and experience to take back to their own countries to aid in their local conservations efforts." Also joining the Minister, were Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, students Cryshae Tucker from St. George's Preparatory School, Safiya Raynor from Victor Scott and Chanice Butterfield from the Berkeley Institute.

And after all 19 turtles caught yesterday are tagged, they make their quick escape from divers hands off the stern (back) of the boat ¿ as did this reporter who sadly had to return to dry land and her desk.