World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDSEXPLOITATIONComnodity According to Clarke ( in litb. , 26 August 1986), the majorcommodities obtained were meat from Green Turtles and meat and eggs fromHawksbills.Hunting Intensity Fletemeyer (1984a) collected information on theintensity of exploitation. From interviews with fishermen he estimatedlandings in 1981 of 600 Green Turtles and 300 Hawksbills and similarlyestimated incidental catches in the same year of 100 Green Turtles and 100Hawksbills. Three landing sites were identified, at The Settlement onAnegada and at Fish Bay and East End on Tortola. Fletemeyer also estimatedthat 12 000 eggs, 25 nesting females and 100 turtles at sea were takei)annually for subsistence use. In July 1981 it was further estimated that50% of the turtle eggs deposited on British Virgin Islands beaches wereillegally taken for human consumption.Hunting methods Turtles were reported to be captured in seine nets andby harpoons (Fletemeyer, 1984).Historic trends The number of fishermen catching turtles had declinedover the years (Fletemeyer, 1984).Domestic trade Clarke ( in litt , 26 August 1986) reported some domestictrade in turtle meat and noted that there was no traditional carving orartifact industry involving sea turtles. Fletemeyer (1984a) noted the pricepaid for turtles (live weight) at local markets in 1980 and 1981 to beUS$0.70 a lb (US$1.54 a kg). It was also estimated that a combined annualincome of US$25 000 was earned by the 15 fishermen involved in turtlefishing and that the three people involved in selling items made fromturtles earned a combined annual income of US$5000 (Fletemeyer (1984a).Eggs were seldom sold to markets or consumers, according to Fletemeyer(1984a), but were usually redistributed amongst relatives and close friendson the understanding that this would be reciprocated when someone else tooka nest.International trade The British virgin Islands have been subject toCITES regulations since the UK's ratification on 2 August 1976. CITESannual reports for the period 1977-1985 record imports to the USA of onebody of E. imbricata in 1982. Clarke ( in litt. , 26 August 1986) reportedsome suspected illegal trade with the US Virgin Islands.LEGISLATIONTurtle Ordinance 1959The Administrator in Council may set close seasons during which the taking,selling or possession of turtles and their eggs is prohibited. The captureof turtles of less than 20 lb (9 kg) is prohibited at all times.Turtles (Protection) Notice SR&O 23 of 1959The close season (defined in the Turtle Ordinance) is set from 1 April to30 November inclusive, during which period it is illegal to take, buy, sellor possess any turtle, or portion of its meat or its eggs.Turtles (Protection) Amendment) Notice 15 May 1986109