Marine Turtle Newsletter 44:3-4, © 1989
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Marine Turtle Newsletter 44:3-4, © 1989
At the second Western Atlantic Turtle Symposium (WATS II) in 1987, Dr. Nat Frazer outlined with striking clarity the reasons why those sea turtles which have survived to breeding age are unequivocally the most valuable members of their populations. As a consequence of this biological reality, adult sea turtles should be afforded complete protection. Historically, sea turtle protection has fallen under the jurisdiction of Fisheries departments. Thus, protective measures for sea turtles have generally followed traditional fishery patterns; i.e., the establishment of minimum size limits for the protection of juveniles. Dr. Frazer's arguments lend additional weight to recent calls for such prohibitions to be reversed in favor of protecting more mature turtles with the institution of maximum size limits.
It is evident that almost everywhere sea turtles are commercially exploited, their populations inevitably decline. The variety of factors contributing to this decline (trade in sea turtle products, habitat destruction, incidental catch), combined with gaps in our knowledge of critical areas of sea turtle biology, are such as to render it extremely difficult for scientists and managers to establish levels of exploitation that will not result in further population declines. These concerns were recognized by the IUCN in the context of a resolution prepared by Greenpeace (in conjunction with other conservationists) and submitted to the IUCN General Assembly in 1988. This resolution (see MTN 44:1) was passed unanimously at the 7th Session of the IUCN General Assembly in San José, Costa Rica, 1-10 February 1988.
The operative section calls on IUCN member governments to prevent the killing of sea turtles except where it is culturally inappropriate to do so; e.g., where local tradition has involved the capture of sea turtles for many generations. However, in such cases maximum size limits should be imposed to protect breeding adults. The resolution urges that the collection of sea turtle eggs be strictly controlled, damage to sea turtle habitats be prevented, incidental catch of sea turtles be minimized, research on long-term population trends be implemented wherever exploitation occurs, education programs be initiated to ensure the understanding and participation of local peoples and, finally, that member governments cease all international trade in sea turtles, including their parts and derivatives.
While this resolution clearly represents a commitment by the IUCN membership to promote sea turtle conservation, the resolution's provisions can only be realized through active implementation by IUCN members. To this end, Greenpeace, as an IUCN member, is distributing the resolution around the world and urging governments and non-governmental organizations to implement the actions called for. We would appreciate it very much if readers of the Marine Turtle Newsletter would furnish us (Greenpeace) with the names of persons, in government or non-governmental organizations, who are involved with or interested in sea turtles. We would be happy to add these persons to our mailing list and to support their efforts in any way that we can. Please send comments and/or information to Jeffrey Canin, Greenpeace, 102 North 6th Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32250 USA.