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

St. Kitts and Nevis Sea Turtles…
tance of turtle tags, and to request that tags be submitted to the Fisheries Division so that the
scientist who tagged the turtle can be notified [N.B. a tag should never be removed from a live
turtle; if the turtle is alive, record the number and the address engraved on the tag and release the
turtle]. Quentin Henderson (VSO), bee-keeper, has kindly offered to give complimentary jars of
honey to Nevis fishermen who turn tags in to the Fisheries Division.
There are several ways in which St. Kitts/Nevis can participate in the regional and
subregional conservation of sea turtles. The ratification of international wildlife treaties and
agreements that protect marine and coastal environments are particularly useful. Some of the
more important treaties have already been discussed in this document (e.g., CITES, Cartagena
Convention). In addition, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has considered
subregional conservation measures that deserve the support of St. Kitts/Nevis, including an
OECS-wide moratorium on the harvest of sea turtles. Wilkins and Barrett (1987) concluded that
"turtle stocks in this part of the region [are] on the decline. . . . The OECS countries should be
encouraged to implement the harmonized regulations giving effect to the moratorium on sea
turtle fishing. Steps should be taken to encourage this to [all] wider Caribbean countries." St.
Kitts/ Nevis is encouraged to participate fully in all relevant international programmes. Only in
this way will national conservation efforts be successful in the long-term.
4.4 Develop Public Education
4.41 Residents
"In general, the populace of St. Kitts/Nevis, as elsewhere in the region, do not appear to
be fully sensitised about the values or benefits of conservation and the role that careful management
of the environment plays in national development. Neither is the corollary of this
appreciated. Negative impacts upon national development, biodiversity, human health and the
quality of life which result from mismanagement of the environment are not part of the
consciousness of the average citizen." (James, 1992). Making the environment part of the
consciousness of the average citizen is crucial to the sustained survival of both the human
residents and the wildlife, especially the endangered wildlife, of the Caribbean basin.
Fortunately, grass-roots advocacy groups throughout the region are becoming more involved
with teaching their fellow citizens the value of wildlife, wildlands, a clean environment, and
monitoring compliance with wildlife regulations. This is certainly true in St. Kitts/Nevis, where
there is growing cooperation between conservation groups (e.g., NHCS, SCHS) and community
service groups, educators, church groups, Fisheries and other government officials, marine
resource user groups (fishermen, yachters, SCUBA divers), and media representatives.
Sea turtles are particularly good candidates for public education campaigns. They are
easily cast as symbols of the health of the coastal zone, both marine (coral reefs and sea grass)
and terrestrial (sandy beaches). Many residents have seen turtles in one setting or another, and
the connection between protecting sea turtles and protecting large segments of the economic base
of St. Kitts/Nevis (e.g., fisheries, tourism) can be clearly articulated. There have been several
examples in recent years of public awareness efforts on behalf of sea turtles, including
informative articles in local newspapers and NGO newsletters. WIDECAST has provided slides
to NHCS and SCHS for educational use and is working with both groups to design a colourful
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