Please, help save Bequia’s wildlife

Editor: We ask the responsible authorities to enforce the Laws of SVG.

1) The Laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines WI protect endangered sea turtles. It forbids the poaching of turtle eggs and turtle hatchlings. In a commercially run operation, visitors are invited to pay to see hundreds of hawksbill hatchlings in overcrowded, fungus infested, concrete basins, where they are kept for years on end.{{more}} The turtles are fed with feed not innate to them, as there are no sponges, algae, seaweed or jellyfish in the barren basins. Most hatchlings vanish within a few months. Every year they are being replaced by hundreds of newly poached hatchlings. The operation is not run or monitored scientifically. No data has ever been provided as to how many turtles have been taken, released or when and where. Plus, sea turtles are still caught in nets in protected areas. We urge the responsible authorities such as the Fisheries Department to step in and enforce the law. 

2) Tiny Bequia isle holds status for indigenous whaling and is permitted a certain yearly quota, once they adhere to the tradition, such as the use of the original whale boats. Nevertheless, as many as seven speedboats have been observed not only assisting in sighting the Humpbacks, but executing the actual hunt, while the whaleboats are standing by, which is violating the indigenous status. Neighbouring Dominica has since abandoned whalehunting; they’re now promote whalewatching… much more rewarding and the way to go in order to sustain ‘green’ tourism. ‘Protect the ocean’ means protect its marine species too. Ministry of Tourism, take note!   

Otmar Schaedle