Today, sea turtles face many threats to their survival. Their habitats are being destroyed by pollution, beachfront and coastal construction and artificial lights disturb nesting females and attract turtle hatchlings away from the ocean to their death from dehydration and predation. Despite international treaties prohibiting trade in sea turtles, their meat is a black-market delicacy in many parts of the world. Tortoiseshell jewellery and souvenirs are still sold in many countries. Another major threat to endangered sea turtles is accidental capture in fishing nets. Commercial fishing in international waters takes a disastrous toll.
Save Our Sea Turtles (S.O.S.), a Bahamian not-for-profit organization formed for the sole purpose of saving all sea turtles for future generations, recently met with the Honourable Alfred M. Sears, Attorney General of The Bahamas and Minister of Education to discuss the current legislation concerning sea turtles in The Bahamas.
“The problem of sea turtle conservation is a very complex one and Save Our Sea Turtles is committed to a long term programme of community awareness and education,” said Gillian Watson of S.O.S. “Currently the capture and sale of sea turtles in The Bahamas is regulated but still legal within season. Since there is so little known about the exact numbers of sea turtles in our region, we feel the Government must act quickly to stop the commercial fishing of sea turtles until The Bahamas is able to determine whether or not turtle fishing is a sustainable industry.”
“Currently there are no fisherman in The Bahamas who fish solely for turtle. Save Our Sea Turtle organization agrees that the traditional rights of Bahamians must be protected and is therefore asking that a ban be imposed only on commercial fishing. We do not propose banning sea turtles from fishermen,” adds Mrs. Watson.
The Save Our Sea Turtles organization has received strong support from concerned Bahamians, residents and visitors that have signed a petition asking for the cessation of commercial turtle fishing in The Bahamas.
“SOS works to enact protective laws and to establish sanctuaries for sea turtles. Through environmentally-sound tourism, visitors to The Bahamas can experience nature without harming it, and enhance the economies of local communities,” said Mrs. Watson. “We are grateful to all the people that have signed our petition and hope that together we can pass the necessary legislation to stop the commercial fishing of sea turtles.”
