There has been 'a lot of controversy' over sea turtle harvesting in VI- Shannon Gore
![As Government moves towards the improvement and promotion of sea turtle conservation in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI), a series of workshops and public consultations are set to commence on Monday, April 17, 2023. Photo: GIS/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_i_illegal_sea_turtle_harvesting_2.jpg)
According to a Government release, the first workshop will feature the screening of a new documentary film titled ‘Turtles in the Virgin Islands – balancing conservation and culture’, after which, members of the public will have an opportunity to express their views and opinions.
Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr Theodore E. James has been quoted as saying that the meetings will be conducted in collaboration with the local non-profit Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) and the United Kingdom (UK)- based Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
He stated that the data gathered from these workshops slated to be conducted on Tortola, Anegada, Jost van Dyke and Virgin Gorda will be critical in improving sea turtle conservation in the VI, and the social and biological scientific evidence taken into account to inform legislative changes planned for this year.
He added that the input obtained from integral community stakeholders will also influence the sustainable management of turtle conservation in the territory.
There has been 'Controversy over turtle fishery'- Shannon Gore
The workshops are a central component of the Sustaining Turtles, Environment Economies and Livelihoods (STEEL) project, which is funded by the United Kingdom Government’s Darwin Plus programme and supported by the Association of Reef Keepers (ARK).
Managing Director of ARK, Dr Shannon Gore was also quoted as saying that the association has been carrying out sea turtle research in the territory for over two decades and has been noticing significant changes in the numbers of some sea turtle species.
“During that time, there has also been a lot of controversy over the turtle fishery. The STEEL project seeks to improve turtle conservation in the Virgin Islands while taking into consideration the local culture and values associated with turtle use,” Gore said.
According to the laws of the Virgin Islands, no person shall remove from the fishery waters, expose for sale, sell, purchase or have in possession any undersised turtle or catch a Leatherback Sea-Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) or Loggerhead Sea–Turtle (Caretta caretta) on which there is a moratorium.
A moratorium means these sea turtles are strictly prohibited from being caught at any time, even during turtle season, usually from December 1 to March 31. Undersized means a carapace (shell) length less than 24 inches for Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and less than 15 inches for Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata).
Further, a person licenced to fish in the Territory by the department must be approved to capture turtles within their licence conditions. Not all licenced fishers possess this approval and buyers are responsible to inquire to ensure that intended purchases are legal.
Sea Turtle Recovery Plan
Meanwhile, the press release further stated that the STEEL project will also produce a Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for the VI, including recommendations for reform of the turtle fishery regulations that are projected to be completed later this year.
The Marine Conservation Society- the UK’s leading ocean charity that works to highlight the importance of the ocean, has utilised its ‘Community Voice Method’ to communicate with communities on conservation issues, through film, workshops and public consultation.
The society has previously administered a similar strategy to reform turtle fisheries in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Montserrat.
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