Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Barbados - WIDECAST

Barbados Sea Turtles …
WIDECAST in Barbados. The WIDECAST-Barbados network consists of biologists, civil
servants from several different Ministries and agencies, and members of the Barbados Environmental
Association (BEA). WIDECAST-Barbados and the BEA support an ongoing programme
to survey sea turtle nesting beaches, foster public awareness of the plight of sea turtles, and
encourage revised legislation to more effectively promote the recovery of local sea turtle stocks.
4.54 IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group
Sea turtle conservation activities in Barbados have received support and encouragement
from Dr. Karen Bjorndal, Chair of the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG). In
addition, an active WIDECAST network has already been identified in Barbados and consists of
biologists and civil servants, most of whom are members of the Barbados Environmental
Association and one of whom (Julia Horrocks) is also a member of the IUCN/SSC MTSG.
4.55 Workshops on research and management
Traveling scholarships or fellowships for individuals involved in turtle conservation
efforts to join established field conservation projects, such as those at Tortuguero (Costa Rica),
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (U. S. Virgin Islands), or Jumby Bay (Antigua) for short
periods would be extremely valuable. The Caribbean Conservation Corporation offers annual
training courses at Tortuguero (write: CCC, P. O. Box 2866, Gainesville, FL 32602 USA).
Workshops for sub-regional groups (e.g., small islands with extensive turtle subsistence
problems to overcome, or small islands with extensive tourist-associated problems to overcome)
where practical, inexpensive solutions to problems could be discussed would also be useful.
Members of the BEA are provided information and a slide show by Julia Horrocks (WIDECAST
Team Member) on sea turtle biology and techniques before they begin to survey beaches.
4.56 Exchange of information among local groups
There is already considerable dialogue between governmental and non-governmental
agencies and individuals with environmental concerns in Barbados; many of these working
relationships have been previously elaborated in the text of this document. In terms of turtle
conservation, this has proved an extremely constructive approach and is encouraged to continue.
4.6 Summary Sectorial Recommendations
4.61 Government organizations
4.611 Coastal Conservation Project Unit (CCPU)
The Coastal Conservation Project Unit (CCPU) is the advisory agency to the Minister of
Labour, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, and to the Town Planning Department (TPD) of
the Ministry of Housing and Lands. In order to minimize coastal deterioration (poor near-shore
water quality, reef death, beach erosion), the CCPU monitors environmental changes in the
coastal zone and makes recommendations on the suitability of applications received by the TPD
for construction planned within the zone. The CCPU has been sensitized to the general issues of
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