Acting Site Coordinator – Shell Beach Protected Area
Protected Areas Commission
Gordon Table Mahaicony River
East Coast Demerara, Guyana
Tel: +592-696-8139
rkomar.pac@gmail.com
Bräutigam, A. and K. L. Eckert. 2006. Turning the Tide: Exploitation, Trade and Management of Marine Turtles in the Lesser Antilles, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela. TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, UK.Fisheries (Aquatic Wildlife Control) Regulations (1966 and 1973) were issued under Section 33, Chapter 71.098 of the Fisheries Act. The Regulations totally ban the taking of eggs of all species and the taking of nesting turtles of all species (Section 4.21). The Act establishes that a license is required to take any “prescribed aquatic wildlife” at sea, which includes turtles.
• In 2000 a ‘No Netting Zone’ was instigated for three months, from April through June, off shore of the principal nesting beaches for that particular season. This no netting zone was also repeated in the 2001, 2002 and 2006 nesting seasons and was supported by the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock and Guyana Defense Force Coast Guard.
• “The ‘No Netting Zone’ is implemented at areas along the beach, no more than 15 miles, where peak nesting of sea turtles occur. Within these zones, fishermen are asked not to use their long seines, which sometimes extended to 2 – 3 miles, as turtles can become entangled and thus drown in them. Hook-and-line fishing is possible within these Zones. Smaller seines can be set, but frequent checking (every 3-4 hrs) should occur.
Pritchard, P.C.H. 2009. History of Sea Turtles in Guyana. Prepared for www.widecast.org. Chelonian Research Institute. Oviedo, Florida. 3 pp.
Reichart, Henri, Laurent Kelle, Luc Laurent, Hanny L. van de Lande, Rickford Archer, Reuben Charles and René Lieveld. 2003. Regional Sea Turtle Conservation Program and Action Plan for the Guianas (Karen L. Eckert and Michelet Fontaine, Editors). World Wildlife Fund – Guianas Forests and Environmental Conservation Project, Paramaribo. WWF technical report no. GFECP#10. 85 pp.