Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis - WIDECAST

St. Kitts and Nevis Sea Turtles…
portant sea turtle habitat in either St. Kitts or Nevis. Therefore, it is a recommendation of this
Recovery Action Plan that "Sea Turtle Refuges" (reserves established specifically for sea turtles)
be declared under the authority of the NCEPA and that at least one Refuge be declared on each
island. The Refuges should encompass the most important sea turtle nesting areas and serve as a
focal point for conservation, management, and monitoring of sea turtle populations [N.B. the
Refuges should include Index Beaches described in section 4.291]. The Atlantic beach from
Cayon River to Key Ghaut (and perhaps south to Jack Tar Village), Sandy Point/Belle Tete
(which supports three species of nesting sea turtles), and the SEP (which is already a
"conservation area" under the SEPLDCA; see section 4.21) in St. Kitts are good candidates for
such designation, although it would be wise to undertake an island-wide survey, as
recommended in section 4.112, in order to identify with confidence which areas are most used by
turtles and thus would benefit most from protection. In Nevis, Hurricane Hill Beach, privately
owned, should be seriously considered for Refuge status.
Refuge status would not exclude residents from using the beach for recreation, fishing,
etc. Only activities clearly detrimental to the beach and to the turtles and villagers who depend
on it would be prohibited, such as sand mining, garbage disposal, and careless shoreline
development. The harvest and harassment of sea turtles and their eggs would be illegal under all
circumstances on the protected beaches. Since the support and involvement of residents would
be central to the success of a Refuge, we recommend that local non-government groups (SCHS,
NHCS, Jaycees, fishing cooperatives) and/or government agencies initiate a dialogue with
coastal residents living near a proposed Refuge in order to solicit their input and encourage their
support. In addition, it is clear that mere designation of a Sea Turtle Refuge would be hollow
without the thoughtful development of a comprehensive management plan. Management Plans
(reviewed every five years) are required for all protected areas designated under the NCEPA.
Regulatory guidelines developed for the Refuges should include (but need not be limited to) the
regulations described in section 4.122. Wardens should be hired to monitor compliance with
Refuge regulations, reporting violations to the proper authorities.
The first steps toward comprehensive management plans for some important marine
areas, including the northern coast of Nevis (Newcastle Bay to Long Haul Bay) and the
Southeast Peninsula of St. Kitts, have already been taken. In an in-depth assessment of the
marine resources of the Southeast Peninsula of St. Kitts, prepared for the Southeast Peninsula
Land Development and Conservation Board, Wilcox (1989) recommended "a St. Kitts/Nevis
National Marine Park/Reserve around the entire Peninsula, from high tide to the 30 m depth
contour, to provide a focal point for marine management, provide an administrative means to
attract and receive external funding, and establish an overall conservation and development
approach to the Peninsula at large." She provided guidelines and rules for land developers,
fishermen, and tourists. She also suggested that specific protected areas be established within the
reserve, including protection of the Atlantic coast for sea turtle nesting. Low density use of the
Atlantic beaches and dunes was encouraged, as were use regulations to protect sea turtles and
their eggs and nesting beaches. The proposed Marine Parks and Recreation Plan for the
Southeast Peninsula of St. Kitts should be adopted and the entire coastline of the peninsula
should be established as a marine park. The support of the Southeast Peninsula Land Development
and Conservation Board should be obtained, the proposal passed by Cabinet, and, with the
Board's endorsement, a comprehensive park management plan implemented.
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