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Marine Turtle Newsletter 35:9, © 1985

New Cayman Turtle Law

The Cayman Islands recently amended the Marine Conservation Law of 1978 to regulate the legal take of sea turtles during an open season (November through April) by requiring turtle fishermen to have licenses. Licenses are issued only to those fishermen who have traditionally taken turtles by traditional methods. Furthermore, the licenses allow fishermen to take turtles only by traditional methods (i.e., harpoons and spear guns are outlawed) and only for consumption within the islands. The licenses are issued on an annual basis only to persons normally resident in the Cayman Islands and specify both the minimum sizes of turtles which can be taken (120 lbs for greens; 80 lbs for loggerheads and hawksbills) as well as the maximum number (6) which can be taken within the year. Immediately after taking a turtle (i.e., before it can be slaughtered), the license holder must attach to it one of the six tags which is issued with the license and take the turtle to an inspector who will record the weight, sex, date of capture and license tag number. The penalties for those found guilty of an offense under the new law include a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or a prison term of not more than twelve months. (Based on information provided by Jim Wood).