ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS GROUP (EAG)

NEWS AND SPECIALS

Back to Environmental Awareness Group (EAG)

THE DEBATE ABOUT SEA TURTLES IN CAPTIVITY CONTINUES
Monday 29th October 2012

On October 23, 2012, Caribarena.com published an article by Carol Williams regarding sea turtles in captivity. The text of that report is republished below.

'Antigua St. John's - The Coordinator of the Antigua Sea Turtle Conservation Project Mykal Clovis Fuller has weighed in on the long-running debate about whether sea turtles should be kept in captivity.

The issue was reignited by a recent report by an international agency that slammed the conditions on a farm in the Cayman Islands.

"There are a lot of issues with diseases and well being and development of sea turtles in captivity, which is why we favour protecting sea turtles in the wild here," Fuller said.

"The alternative is a captive environment which has been proven not very successful in other places, and this issue highlights that."

Just over a week ago the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) released a report on the government-run Cayman Turtle Farm (CTF), as well as video footage and photographs showing that thousands of the animals are kept in dirty, cramped tanks.

WSPA also claims that traces of Salmonella, E. Coli and Vibrio vulnificus* were found in the turtle touch tank waters, putting visitors at risk of contracting diseases.

Fuller, who has been operating the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) conservation project here since 2007, acknowledged that the issue of turtle conservation is controversial.

And she pointed to studies that have shown that as few as one in 3000 turtles will survive from the nest to adulthood.

"Many people often say why we do not raise them to give them a better chance," she noted.

"However, many seas turtles don't survive well in captivity and many turtles that are bred in captivity can't survive in the wild because their instincts have not developed well enough to feed themselves and that sort of thing ... so it doesn't solve the problem of having a healthy population," she pointed out.

Meantime, Fuller is reporting progress with the attitude of some residents to sea turtles, though she said a lot more needs to be done.

"We're still seeing developments too close to the coastline that the sea turtle use, and some bright lights … but we are seeing pockets of progress where we work with hotels. They're becoming a bit more responsive to the way they keep their beaches so that sea turtles would be able to nest there," she said.

"Generally in the wider community our work is done through volunteers, and more people are reporting sea turtle nesting, and people who walk on the beaches in the morning."

The EAG conservation project monitors sea turtle nesting on the beaches and promotes protection of sea turtle habitat.

Persons seeking information or to report on issues relating to turtles can contact the EAG at (268) 462 6236 or Fuller at (268) 720 6955.


Click here for all News and Specials for Environmental Awareness Group (EAG)

 
connect with antiguanice.com
FacebookTwitterYoutubeNewsletterRSS

contact
NAME: Karron James
TEL: +1 (268) 462-6236
FAX: +1 (268) 463 - 7740
EMAIL: eagantigua@gmail.com
FIND US ON: Facebook
LOCATION: 2 View Map
WEBSITE: Click here

news and specials

ARICA HILL LEAVES EAG

Thursday 28th March 2024
A sad moment for the EAG, as Arica Hill moves on. Read the letter from the EAG President...
Read More

BECOME A BEACH GUARDIAN

Friday 15th March 2024
Help protect Antigua’s turtles, walk the beach and watch for turtle activity. ...
Read More

AB SEA TURTLE AWARENESS

Friday 1st March 2024
Leatherback Season is upon us, keep watch for signs of these beautiful creatures, ...
Read More

REDONDA TRANSFORMATION

Friday 2nd February 2024
Environmentalists worldwide are inspired by the restoration of Redonda into a wildlife haven. ...
Read More

VACANCY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FINANCE COORDINATOR

Monday 29th January 2024
If you have experience in partnership development & management, apply now to join the EAG team. ...
Read More

All News Stories and Specials


video
ROAMING GOATS


MESSAGE FROM ASTLEY JOSEPH


ROAMING LIVESTOCK


GOAT MOUTH


FULL 30 MINUTE DOC

EAG's Livestock Reform Initiative from robby breadner on Vimeo.

=