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Marine Turtle Newsletter 12:2-3, © 1979

Statement of Intent

To whom it may concern:

Recognizing the vital importance of the current and ongoing efforts by the Departamento de Pesca, Mexico, to restore and perpetuate the only known breeding colony of the endangered Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempi [Garman]) and motivated by the desire to assist this laudable effort in every possible way, acknowledging the essential approval and cooperation of Mexico, we are agreed that it appears desirable at this time to establish a captive breeding colony of Kemp's Ridley Turtle to ensure preservation of this genetic entity, if efforts to preserve the species in the wild should fail. Also the establishment of this captive colony should in no way lessen the vigour of the efforts to preserve the species in the wild.

We are agreed that Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. facilities with its existing scientific and technical personnel appear to offer the best prospects at this time, for the housing of this captive colony.

We are agreed that this colony should not be drawn from the Mexican adult turtles, but that this stock should be derived from existing aquarium specimens, accidentally caught individuals, and/or individuals from the 1978 hatch currently in the hands of the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.

We are agreed that the management of the captive colony should be guided by a non-profit corporation dedicated to the propagation of the species, which shall establish overall policies for the colony in accordance with technical advice by the scientific director of Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. This corporation shall be managed by a board of directors, which shall as a minimum include the Chief of the Nacional Sea Turtle Project of the Mexican Instituto Nacional de Pesca, Mexico, as an ex-officio member, as well as representatives of major non-governmental conservation organizations. It is considered important that the corporation shall have the endorsement of the bodies represented by the individual directors. The number of individual Ridleys kept by Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. shall be mutually agreed upon by Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. and the board of directors. This stock will be held in trust for the corporation only for propagation of the species. The sole intent of the signatories of this agreement, the proposed corporation, and its described activities is the safeguarding and augmentation of the species in its natural, wild state and no animals shall be disposed of for any other ultimate purposes.

We are agreed that the services provided for this purpose by Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. shall not be utilized for promotional purposes, but that open channels of communication with all concerned scientists shall be maintained.

We are agreed that the costs of maintaining the initial captive stock for at least the first year of operation shall be arranged by Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd., and that subsequently, when the incremental costs of housing and maintaining those animals have been determined, discussions will be entered into for subsequent funding.

The actual investigations of the mechanics of this agreement shall be pursued by Prof. L.D. Brongersma, London, and Dr. P.C.H. Pritchard, Oviedo, Florida.

Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., April 7, 1979.