Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Barbados - WIDECAST

CEP Technical Report No. 12
nets that capture sea turtles. Fines and other penalties (such as the confiscation of equipment and
catch) should be strict enough to act as effective deterrents.
- If permanent alteration of the Act is not likely to be legislated within the next 1-2 years,
the Fisheries Division should consider a temporary moratorium on all sea turtle harvesting under
the existing legislation. If a temporary moratorium is not possible, then interim full protection
should be given at least to the larger size classes (see section 4.232).
Recommendations
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4.615 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Commerce
- A review of the process whereby permits are issued to persons involved in the trade of
turtle shell and turtle products between Barbados and other countries is very desirable.
- It is strongly recommended that Barbados become signatory to the Convention of
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Although trade into and out of Barbados is
not substantial at present, there is growing evidence to suggest that dealers from some countries,
including Japan, wishing to buy large quantities of turtle shell are using non-signatory countries
as ports of export from the Caribbean region. By joining CITES, Barbados could protect itself
against this type of exploitation.
4.616 Royal Barbados Police Force and the Coast Guard
The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) is a Division within the Ministry of Justice and
Public Safety, and the Coast Guard forms part of the Barbados Defense Force (Defense and
Security Division). To date, there have been no successful prosecutions of persons contravening
legislation protecting turtles. The serious consequences of the illegal slaughter of turtles would
be emphasized if perpetrators were successfully convicted.
Recommendations
- Enforcement of environmental legislation including the Fisheries Regulation Act and
other legislation to prevent pollution and destruction of coral reefs, could be improved by
increased linkages between these agencies.
- Increased awareness and cooperation could be fostered through a series of talks presented
to the RBPF and the Coast Guard jointly. These talks on environmental legislation could
be given by representatives from Bellairs Research Institute, the Environmental Unit of the Ministry
of Labour, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, the Fisheries Division, and a lawyer.
4.62 Non-government organizations
4.621 Architects and landscape architects
There are about 30 architects and landscape architects conducting business in Barbados.