CUBA BANS TURTLE HUNT

TOTAL BAN WILL HELP ENDANGERED TURTLES RECOVER

Cuba has completely banned the hunting of marine turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Turtles are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, and especially from the illegal trade in tortoise shells used to make combs. The ban took effect on January 20, and will stay in effect until it is scientifically proven that the species is recovering.

The phase out of the marine turtle fishery in Cuba is the result of a joint effort by the Cuban Ministry of Fisheries and WWF, with financial support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Two fishing communities that still hunted turtles, Nuevitas in Camaguey province and Cocodrilo on the Isle of Youth, will receive funding to find alternative sources of income and modernize their fishing fleets. Fishermen will also be retrained in the protection of turtles and their nests.

Shoutout to the Cuban Ministry of Fisheries and the WWF for making the ban happen, and to CIDA for shelling out the cash (sorry, couldn’t resist) to ensure that the ban works. Cowabunga, dudes!

Sources, resources and discourses:

1. Reuters - article
2. Prensa Latina - article
3. TreeHugger – article
4. World Wildlife Federation – website
5. Canadian International Development Agency - website