Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Barbados - WIDECAST
Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Barbados - WIDECAST
Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Barbados - WIDECAST
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<strong>Barbados</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Turtle</strong>s …<br />
ABSTRACT<br />
<strong>Barbados</strong> is the most easterly island in the Lesser Antilles. Four species of sea turtle are<br />
recorded from the waters of <strong>Barbados</strong>: the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback<br />
(Dermochelys coriacea), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and, rarely, the loggerhead (Caretta<br />
caretta). The primary nesting species is the hawksbill; leatherbacks nest only occasionally.<br />
Hawksbills nest in all months except February and March, but there is a marked peak in nesting<br />
between June and August. Leatherbacks are seasonal visitors, arriving to nest between April and<br />
June. <strong>Sea</strong> turtle nesting activity has been monitored over the past five years. The data suggest<br />
that not many more than 50 hawksbills and fewer than two leatherbacks nest each year. Juvenile<br />
green turtles are commonly seen feeding in nearshore sea grass and algal beds, particularly off<br />
the east coast. In contrast, hawksbills feed on coral reef-associated sponges. Subadult and adult<br />
loggerheads are sometimes captured in deep water; <strong>for</strong>aging has not been observed. Estimates of<br />
population size <strong>for</strong> non-nesting sea turtles (green turtles, hawksbills, loggerheads) around<br />
<strong>Barbados</strong> are not available. It is generally acknowledged by fishermen that sea turtles are less<br />
common today than in previous years. The primary stresses on sea turtles in <strong>Barbados</strong> are<br />
exploitation, nesting habitat deterioration, and, to a lesser extent, <strong>for</strong>aging habitat deterioration.<br />
Hawksbill turtles are taken during nesting or in nets at sea <strong>for</strong> meat, eggs and shell. The<br />
shell is either fashioned into products sold locally or it is exported to Japan. Since <strong>Barbados</strong> is<br />
not yet a member of CITES, importation and exportation of shell is permitted with the<br />
appropriate documentation, although new policy requires that the Chief Fisheries Officer give his<br />
per-mission <strong>for</strong> export. Discussions on <strong>Barbados</strong>' accession to CITES are in progress. In<br />
addition to the harvest of hawksbills, juvenile green turtles are caught in nets set a few hundred<br />
yards from shore on the east coast, and adult greens and loggerheads are speared<br />
opportunistically by pelagic fishermen whilst they wait <strong>for</strong> gill nets to fill. The meat (rarely the<br />
shell) from green turtles and loggerheads is used; leatherbacks are not killed, only the eggs are<br />
taken. National legislation prohibits at all times the take of sea turtles or their eggs on the beach<br />
or within 100 yd (90 m) of shore, and the capture of turtles weighing less than 30 lbs (13.6 kg).<br />
The penalties are inadequate, however, and do not serve as an effective deterrent. En<strong>for</strong>cement<br />
of legislation is problematic because of the lack of seriousness with which the offense is viewed,<br />
the difficulty of proving that a turtle was taken illegally, and because of manpower constraints<br />
within the en<strong>for</strong>cement agencies. Very few people depend on turtle exploitation <strong>for</strong> a living and<br />
redrafted legislation banning the harvest of all sizes and species of sea turtles, as well as the use<br />
of entangling nets, is presently being considered by Cabinet. If a national ban on harvest comes<br />
into effect, there will be even greater reason to accede to CITES in order to control the<br />
importation of shell.<br />
Hawksbills prefer to nest on the west and south coasts of <strong>Barbados</strong>, often in beach<br />
vegetation. These same beaches have been altered, primarily by development <strong>for</strong> tourism.<br />
Buildings and walls constructed close to the high water mark, and the positioning of gabions and<br />
boulders on beaches to protect beach-front properties has reduced the amount of beach suitable<br />
<strong>for</strong> nesting. The loss of stabilizing vegetation which has accompanied extensive beach-front<br />
development is also implicated in beach loss. Ornamental and security lights deter females from<br />
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