By: Friends of the Environment
The Bahamas is home to five of the world’s seven species of sea turtle: green turtles, loggerhead turtles, hawksbill turtles, leatherback turtles and olive ridley turtles. Turtles use many different habitats in The Bahamas including seagrass beds, coral reefs, mangrove wetlands, sargassum patches and sandy beaches. This means that they are important to the marine environment, but also susceptible to habitat destruction and other threats caused by humans.
In an effort to conserve these species and protect them from undue harm, The Bahamas Government enacted new legislation regarding turtles in 2009. Sea turtles are under threat worldwide (and in The Bahamas) from illegal fishing, habitat loss and marine pollution. The new laws protect turtles, their nests and eggs, and control import and export of turtle products (see below, or view full legislation on Bahamas Laws On-line).
Not only are turtles cool to look at when diving and snorkeling, but they are actually helpful citizens of the environment. Turtles are the landscapers of the sea! When they feed on seagrass they are naturally trimming the seagrass blades, which keep it healthy and helps the seagrass to spread. Seagrass in turn provides food and shelter for many important species such as crawfish, grunts and conch. Turtles also help the terrestrial ecosystem – their eggs act as fertilizer to dune systems! Not all turtle eggs hatch or survive. Those that don’t provide valuable nutrients to coastal plants. This helps make the coastal dune system stronger, which in turn helps to protect our shorelines during storms. Without these nutrients erosion could increase. Because sea turtles are a part of so many habitats in our environment the loss of these species would negatively affect both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, not to mention our food sources and way of life.
In an effort to help raise awareness for marine conservation in Abaco, Friends of the Environment and the Hope Town Lodge are hosting a Turtle Trot 5k walk/run in Hope Town on November 22nd. Registration for adults is $25 and includes a T-shirt. Registration for kids under 12 is free. Join us for some Thanksgiving fun and help the environment while you are at it!
These regulations apply to turtles in Bahamian waters:
- No person shall fish for, take or have in their possession sea turtles, turtle eggs, or any part of the turtle.
- It is against the law to buy or sell sea turtles, turtle eggs, or any part of the turtle.
- It is illegal to interfere with a sea turtle’s nest.
- It is illegal to export sea turtles, sea turtle eggs or sea turtle parts.
*The only exception to these rules is for a person wishing to take and/or export sea turtles, sea turtle parts or sea turtle eggs for educational, scientific or research purposes. In which case you must apply for a permit and explain your reason for the collection before taking any sea turtle(s), turtle eggs or turtle parts. CHAPTER 244, Section 19, FISHERIES RESOURCES (JURISDICTION AND CONSERVATION)
To learn more, visit www.friendsoftheenvironment.org or call (242) 367-2721.