Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

Nassau, Bahamas

Dear Prime Minister Ingraham:

Attached is a copy of an official press release issued by your administration on October 1, 2008 promising to implement a total ban on the harvesting of sea turtles in The Bahamas, effective April 1, 2009. This date is some five weeks past and the promised legislation is yet to be put into effect. On August 1, the turtle season starts again, and we as concerned Bahamians would like the promised legislation in place before that date when the gruesome killings will start again. For your convenience, attached is a copy of the October 1, 2008 press release.

As you are aware, we have thousands of signatures supporting the total ban on the harvesting of sea turtles, as agreed by the Government. Also supporting a total ban on the harvesting of sea turtles in The Bahamas are The Nature Conservancy, BREEF, The Bahamas Humane Society, Friends of the Environment and the Bahamas National Trust, The Humane Society of Grand Bahama, Re Earth, ARK and Advocates For Animal Rights.

Further, the Bahamas is a signatory to CITES, which commits the Bahamas Government and the Cabinet to implement the promised ban.

A promise is a promise and this one should be kept. We therefore request that the promised legislation be enacted without further delay.

Sincerely,

Kim Aranha Debbie Krukowski Jane Mather

Co-Chairpersons

Bahamas Sea Turtle Conservation Group

CC. Mr. Larry Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources

Michael Braynen, Director of Marine Resources