The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extantspecies in its genus. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies. E. i. imbricata is the Atlantic subspecies, whileE. i. bissa is found in the Indo-Pacific region.[2]
Human fishing practices threaten E. imbricata populations with extinction. The World Conservation Union classifies the hawksbill as critically endangered.[1] Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species outlaws the capture and trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products derived from them.[3]s
Grenada has signed on as party to CITES in 1999; it is time that we don't have any open season for sea turtles on Grenada. Mr. Aden Forteau; officer at the ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment is the responsible officer for CITES in Grenada. Mr. Forteau please support us in moving forward to protect andagered species in our country.
Anyone signing these petition please make an effort anytime you meet a politician of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martnique to lobby for our cause.
The minister in his powers can declare a 12 month closed season for Hawksbill Turtle as he has done for Leatherback Turtle in section 2 of the fisheries regulations.
Excerpt of the Fisheries act
section 40. regulations:
(1)The Minister may make regulations generally for the management and development of fisheries in the fishery waters.
(2)in particular; withou limiting the generality of subsection (1), the minister may make regulations for all or all of the following purposes -
(a) the licensing, regulation and management of any specific fishery;
(b) measures for the protection and conservation of fisheries; including mesh sizes, standards of fishing gear, minimum species sizes, close seasons, closed areas, prohibited methods of fishing, prohibited fishing gear and schemes for limiting entry into all or or any specified fisheries;
.....
We; the undersigned call on you Honorable Minister Bhola to act upon your powers and declare an all year close season for Hawksbill Turtles in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique Waters.
Yours Truly
the undersigned.
