Angela Ramsey
DNRE
THA
Dear Angela,
The issue of Turtle poaching and hunting for other game in the closed season
is becoming increasingly aggravating and desperate in the North East, Tobago.
Despite the fact that I am no longer a paid Honorary game warden – it
consistently falls to me to deal with these issues.
The 2 groups of turtle patrollers- SEMPR in Speyside and
NEST in Charlotteville met in Charlotteville on Saturday 2nd July in
Charlotteville. Renardo-Game warden , unfortunately was unable to attend.
However, the reports given are alarming:
In the last 2 months- leading up to Fishermans Festivals in
Charlotteville and Speyside
1. The Starwood beach has had- up to and beyond 6 Hawkesbill kills.
2. The Cambelton beach had poachers on the beach every night. The kills so far
8 Hawkesbills and 4 Greens. A turtle net has been set in the bay
attached to the landward side of the bay.
3. Hermitage bay- 2 Greens and 4 Hawkesbill lifted.
Turtles are being buried alive to hide from the patrollers and
collected in daylight.
4. The Lans Fourmi beach – 6 new carcasses of Hawkesbill.
5. Iguana, agouti and tattoo hunting in Starwood and on North Point
Charlotteville at all hours of the night(lights observed). The wild meat served
out at Charlotteville Fishermans Festival/ and served at the Police station- alarming.
5. Patrollers and wardens have been threatened with their lives-literally by poachers
from Delaford,Lans Fourmi and Castara. And told not to interfere or else.
It has become a serious matter that the mature female turtles are
being massacred and not allowed to lay their eggs.
Warrants for search an seizure need to be issued for the Cambelton
area at the homes of Webster Marcelle and son, and Carol & Michael- resident at
Cambelton Estate House.They are in possession of large amounts of turtle meat.
Warrant has to be issued from the Scarborough Police station.
I understand that the current wardens at the DNRE-THA are being denied
any overtime pay beyond their 8-4 time slot, if they do operate after these hours it is
through the goodness of their hearts.
To bring awareness to what is going on, both with the hunting and with
warden support. I have asked the patrollers to give me a weakly report from these
areas. I will compile this report and submit in an article to the press as well as request a public
service announcement from Radio Tambrin. Tobago’s wildlife/ biodiversity has never been under
such stress- it is at epidemic proportions and something must be done to stem this activity.
Sincerely
Pat Turpin
Environment Tobago
nesttobago.wordpress.com 