Turtle slaughter condemned by minister

The butchering of an endangered turtle has prompted strong condemnation from Minister of the Environment and Blue Economy Adrian Forde.

Last week, a grisly discovery was made of a slaughtered Hawksbill sea turtle and its eggs along the beach at Sunset Crest, St James. The project director for the Barbados Sea Turtle Project, Carla Daniel, told Barbados TODAY that the large female turtle was found dead in the surf, with its back flippers removed and body cavity cut open, strongly suggesting poaching.

On Friday, Forde said in the House of Assembly: “Turtles are an endangered species, and I want to raise my voice today in angst. I do not need an international convention or treaty to be able to say that what we are doing with the destruction of our indigenous species is wrong. I think that every right-thinking Barbadian should understand the importance of preserving that which is endangered to us and our ecosystem.

“It pains me when I see on social media, pictures of turtles being mutilated by persons in the most horrific way. It pains me.”

He added: “I am saying now to all Barbadians, when you destroy those eggs, killing one hatchling is one too many for me. We have to put an abrupt halt on this type of behaviour.”

Forde also sought to dissuade the catamaran boaters from feeding turtles to provide photo opportunities to their clients. This, he said, gives the animals a poor diet.

“We have a habit of feeding the turtles to attract them. Unfortunately, we are feeding the turtles the wrong stuff…. I am saying stop giving them the hot dogs, stop giving them the luncheon meat, and bread. These things will make the turtle sick.

“You should have a conversation with the [Barbados Sea Turtle Project] so that you can [have] a diet to feed [to] the turtles,” he told lawmakers.

The environment minister also urged Barbadians to come forward with any information they may have that could lead to the capture of those who harm these aquatic species.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to catch those culprits; it’s easier to find persons on social media in all sorts of nefarious behaviour, bringing all types of delusions, but when it comes to shaming those persons who are involved in this type of activity, it’s a no-no. It has to change. We will want to see those culprits, not only who are involved in this brutality against the turtles, but culprits who are littering in the sea. I would like to see them [being dealt with] by legislation.”
(SB)