he recent arrest of three
men for killing a sea turtle on an Atlantic Coast beach of St. Kitts, the first
such arrest in memory, is an indication that protection of these endangered
creatures is being taken more seriously.However, it is clear that significant international assistance will be needed to implement the comprehensive programme which is necessary to ensure a future for these magnificent reptiles.
Of the world's seven types of sea turtles, all of which are classified as endangered species, the hawksbill, green and leatherback frequent the shores of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. Archaeological evidence of sea turtle bones has been dated as early as 200 BCE, and the first written account of Nevis, in 1603, mentions the prevalence of massive turtles.
The Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis describes the current situation: "Sea turtle stocks are declining throughout most of the wider Caribbean region, in some areas the trends are dramatic and are likely to be irreversible during our lifetimes."
This 1992 report was prepared by the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Recovery Team and Conservation Network (WIDECAST), which has written similar reports for other countries of the Caribbean. Because the turtles migrate not only within the region, but as far as the Atlantic Coast of Canada, regional and global solutions are necessary.
The report identified management and protection of habitat, and protection of turtles at all life stages as the most crucial aspects of a conservation plan. Unfortunately, neither the government's Fisheries Department, nor the non-governmental St. Christopher Heritage Society have the resources to implement the report's recommendations.
Stricter regulations on turtle hunting were promulgated in 1995, updating a law which was initially created in 1948. However, it remains legal to hunt turtles at sea from October through February.
The meat of the green and hawksbill turtles is still prized in many quarters, while the leatherbacks are usually killed to extract oil for medicinal use. The eggs of all three varieties are considered a delicacy.
A recent monitoring trip to three Southeast Peninsula beaches found evidence of 37 nests, primarily of leatherbacks. While Kate Orchard, the Heritage Society's turtle specialist, was heartened to find so many nests, the signs of human interference at most of them told her that the eggs had likely been plundered.
Orchard's periodic monitoring efforts over the past six years reveal "a situation which isn't steady, with good years and bad years." However, she agrees that there has been a significant overall decline in the turtle population.
Kenneth Samuel, who now owns a dive shop, began hunting turtles at the age of 12, but stopped after realising that they were disappearing. "Twenty years ago I saw turtles almost every day I was at sea, even 10 years ago I couldn't count the number I saw, but in the last few years they're gone."
While most other knowledgeable parties agree with his assessment, fisherman Jerome Liddie offers a conflicting view. "Every time I go in the ocean I meet turtles," he says, "the sea turtles are going to outlast humans."
Samuel and others doubt the objectivity of someone who makes his living from fishing. Nonetheless, addressing the situation of poor fishermen like Liddie must be part of any solution.
Previous educational efforts have borne fruit. Liddie was aware of the regulations, even though he felt they were unnecessary. Fisheries officers told the story of a turtle which was released in Dieppe Bay several years ago after a crowd of school children descended on the fisherman who had caught it.
This public concern was echoed by many who saw the dead turtle. "They should put them in jail," said passersby who were disgusted by the sight of the beheaded turtle. The 500 pound leatherback was being stored at the Fisheries Department in Basseterre after a tip lead police to make the arrests last month.
Fisheries officers and Police both stress their hope that this prosecution will deter future killings and disturbance of nests. The three men, at least one of whom is a known turtle hunter, face up to EC$10,000 in fines if convicted.
With increased tourism development on the Southeast Peninsula high on the government's agenda, marine habitat protection could easily be sacrificed, despite the Minister of Tourism's frequent references to eco-tourism.
Intensive educational efforts to "raise awareness of turtles as an asset to the country" is the piece of the puzzle which Orchard sees as most crucial.
Kenneth Samuel believes that government must do more, calling for a complete moratorium on turtle hunting "for at least 20 to 25 years." If not, "how are our children's children going to see a live turtle?" he asks.
