The Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) is advising the public that as of 1 July 2014, new regulations for turtle and conch under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance will take effect. The regulations include the following restrictions on the taking of turtles:
· A closed season for Hawksbill turtles from 1 August to 31 March (inclusive). During the closed season it will be unlawful to take, purchase or possess hawksbill turtles or hawksbill turtle products.
· A legal size limit of 18 inches (minimum) and 24 inches (maximum) for green and hawksbill turtles. It will be unlawful to possess green or hawksbill turtles larger than 24 inches or smaller than 18 inches.
· A permanent closure on the taking of Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtles. As of 1 July 2014 it will be unlawful to take or fish for any of these species.
· A ban on the export of all turtles and turtle products, except for scientific purposes. No turtle products shall be exported from TCI.
· A ban on the keeping of turtles in captivity. As of 1 July it will be unlawful to keep any turtles in captivity, unless such captivity is necessary to rescue, rehabilitate or preserve the life of the turtle.
· A prohibition against processing turtles at sea. All turtles will need to be landed live and in whole condition after being taken and only processed where it is to be sold, processed or used for personal consumption.
In addition to the above turtle regulations, as of July 1, 2014, it will become lawful to export conch shells, conch jewellery, conch pearls or craft products made of conch shells during the closed season for conch. This regulation will allow such products to be exported for non-commercial or personal use only.
