Under Regulation 22 of the Fisheries Regulations 2003, it is illegal to disturb, remove from the fishery waters, expose for sale, sell, purchase or have in its possession any turtle's eggs from April 1 to November 30. Photo: GIS

Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr Theodore E. James is reminding residents that the harvesting of turtle eggs is currently prohibited in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File

Mr James said multiple reports have been made by fishers and other concerned residents identifying persons who have been seen harvesting turtle eggs and juvenile fish, which he says negatively impacts the Territory's marine biodiversity.

The Director in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release on September 20, 2023, said, "Persons living in the Virgin Islands must understand the cultural and conservation measures practiced and enforced in this Territory regarding our turtle fishery and other fisheries. Harvesting turtle eggs, and fishing and nurseries of small fish are threatening our fisheries."

'Developing practices are unlawful'- Theodore E. James

Mr James called on residents to be responsible and follow the rule of law adding that, "Threats to marine biodiversity have forced Governments worldwide to implement moratoriums just as we have on specific species of turtles and fish, expand closed seasons, and strengthen enforcement measures and penalties to conserve what is left or reverse the damage to fisheries and protect the livelihoods of stakeholders."

The Director further stated that these developing practices are unlawful, culturally unacceptable, and damaging to turtle conservation in the Territory. 

Meanwhile, Fisheries Assistant at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ms Kia Soares is reminding residents of the efforts made by turtles every year to lay eggs and of the struggle of the low surviving number of hatchlings until they become adults.

Ms Soares said, "Nesting females travel several months, covering hundreds to thousands of miles from their adult foraging grounds, just to lay their eggs in the Virgin Islands. These turtles have a unique genetic fingerprint, unlike other nesting turtles in the region, and monitoring and ensuring the protection of this small nesting population and their hatchlings is critical to their future survival."

Legislative reform through scientific research and stakeholder input has been the focus of the Sustaining Turtles, Environments, Economies and Livelihoods (STEEL) project funded through the UK Darwin Initiative.

Project partners including the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Association of Reef Keepers, University of Exeter, and the UK Marine Conservation Society are also updating the Territory's Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan (STRAP) to protect this species in the Virgin Islands.

What does the law say?

The public is reminded that under Regulation 22 of the Fisheries Regulations 2003, it is illegal to disturb, remove from the fishery waters, expose for sale, sell, purchase or have in its possession any turtle's eggs from April 1 to November 30.

The public is also urged to contact the department at 468-6123/9195 or the local non-profit organisation, Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) at 496-7998/9195, to report areas of turtle nesting, their tracks, sightings of hatchlings and any disturbances to these nests.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for ensuring food is safe, nutritionally sound, produced, and harvested in an environmentally sustainable manner that builds resilience to internal and external shocks while contributing to economic growth, social well-being, and natural environment protection.