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TUKOT - British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Project Partners: In the BVI, TUKOT was launched by the consortium of project partners involved in the marine turtle elements of the Darwin Initiative Project. These include:
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BVI Leatherback
(Photo: P Richardson MCS)
Status: The status of marine turtles in the BVI was recently reviewed as part of the TCOT project. At least three species of marine turtle (leatherback, green and hawksbill turtles) nest, but in critically low numbers. Although there may have been a modest recovery of some species in recent years, much needs to be done to ensure their continued recovery. Foraging marine turtles (generally green and hawksbill turtles) are widespread in coastal waters and appear to be locally abundant at some sites.
Monitoring and Research: The leatherback nesting population in Tortola is subject to one of the longest continuous marine turtle monitoring programmes in the Caribbean and results showing an encouraging population trend have recently been published. In recent years, great effort has been expended into inwater monitoring, tagging and sampling of green and hawksbill turtles throughout the archipelago.
Inwater Sampling
(Photo: MTRG)
BVI, the Environment Charter and Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs): On the 26th of September 2001, The British Virgin Islands signed the Environment Charter, with UK government signing a reciprocal agreement at the same time. A great deal of background regarding the Environment Charter can be sourced in the website of the UKOTCF and the full text can be downloaded as an image.
Of the MEAs most relevant to marine turtle conservation in the region, BVI is signatory to the following:
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas & Wildlife (SPAW)
World Heritage Convention (WHC)
Additional Useful Resources:
Turtles in the UK Overseas Territories Report
TUKOT Bibliography
BVI Specific TUKOT Outputs
Sea Turtle Recovery Plan (STRAP) for the BVI
OT Specific Images
Contacts:
To receive regular updates on the TUKOT project click here
To contact the TUKOT team e-mail us at tukot@seaturtle.org
For specific information regarding marine turtles in the BVI contact:BVI Conservation and Fisheries Department
Government of the British Virgin Islands
P.O. Box 3323, Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands
Tel: 1 284 494 5681/3429
Fax: 1 284 494 2670
