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Turtle Group Applauds Government’s Plan to Ban Killing of Sea Turtles in The Bahamas October 23, 2008 Nassau, Bahamas - A government initiative to protect sea turtles against being slaughtered and sold commercially is "a step in the right direction," says Debbie Krukowski, spokesperson for the Bahamas Sea Turtle Conservation Group, an organization that seeks an end to all sea turtle killings. Today, organizers are urging concerned Bahamians to intensify letter writing campaigns and sign a petition to give the proposed legislation the extra steam it needs to be quickly approved by Parliament. "We want to remind everybody that this legislation is only a proposal. It's not a done deal," said Krukowski. Group President Jane Mather has called the killing of turtles in The Bahamas "a national disgrace.” "Fishermen bring the creatures ashore with the flippers pierced and tied with straw. They are routinely dragged on to boat ramps and turned on their backs and left to suffer for days in the hot sun," said Mather. Five species of marine turtles are found in Bahamian waters: Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive. Presently, all species are protected during the closed season between April 1 to July 31, and the taking of turtle eggs is prohibited by law. As well, there is a minimum harvesting size for Green and Loggerhead turtles and full protection for the endangered Hawksbill. Now, the government proposes to enhance protection for turtles by, among other things, prohibiting the commercial harvest, outlawing the purchase or sale of all marine turtles and their by products such as their shells, effective December 31, 2008. Starting April 1, 2009, the government proposes to extend full protection to ALL marine turtles in The Bahamas by prohibiting their harvesting, except with the permission of the Minister for scientific research, public display or educational purposes. The legislation is "a step in the right direction, and we would like the government to pass this legislation as soon as possible. And we urge the public to continue to write in saying 'stop this cruelty!'" said Krukowski. In recent months, the group’s campaign to ban the killing of sea turtles in The Bahamas has gained momentum. The group recently launched a redesigned Internet site (www.saveourseaturtles.com) to support their international advertising and turtle awareness program that is reaching millions of Internet users around the world. The site includes new information about sea turtles, articles, photos showing the inhumane treatment of these magnificent creatures, and links to other sites. Thousands of people have so far signed an online petition (on Care2petition.com) to end the sea turtle killings and over 300,000 people have seen the group’s online ad campaign. Bumper stickers are being seen ever more frequently on cars around The Bahamas saying, "Stop the Killing" of sea turtles, and press releases are being sent out worldwide and covered on environmental web sites to bring attention to the cruelty that is taking place in The Bahamas. Organizations supporting a total ban on the harvesting of sea turtles in The Bahamas are the Bahamas Sea Turtle Conservation Group, ReEarth, The Nature Conservancy, The Bahamas Humane Society, BREEF and the Bahamas National Trust. Organizing members of the Bahamas Sea Turtle Conservation Group include Jane Mather, President of Advocates, Deborah Krukowski, Vice President of Animals Require Kindness (ARK) and Kim Aranha, President of The Bahamas Humane Society. Several other organizations actively support the group, including Proud Paws, Earth Care, Young Bahamian Marine Scientists, the Freeport Humane Society, Friends of the Environment in Abaco and many more. The Bahamas Sea Turtle Conservation Group urges everyone to visit www.saveourseaturtles.com and sign the petition urging government to stop the killing of sea turtles in The Bahamas. |
