Cayman free diver wants to see free turtles
Posted on Fri, 02/01/2013 - 09:16 in Science and Nature
(CNS): Local free diving star Tanya Streeter has joined the campaign to end the farming of endangered sea turtles in Cayman and was with representatives from the World Society for the Protection of Animals when they handed in a petition with 144,000 signatures to the Cayman government this week. The free dive world champion and world record holder has also spoken out against the Cayman Turtle Farm, which is currently housing around 7,000 endangered sea turtles in cramped, unhealthy and diseased conditions. The WSPA was visiting Cayman to pick up a report commissioned by the CTF following the charity's own findings about the problems at the attraction and to talk with management and government about changing the facility from a farm to a real conservation facility.
Although that goal continues to find little support among officials in Cayman, the campaigners have at least made the CTF management address some of the major animal welfare issues at the facility. As well as finally admitting that disease and health problems exist among the captive population, the CTF has begun the process of recruiting a vet.
The WSPA is not only pressing for better welfare conditions but to transition the facility into a fully-fledged conservation centre. However, as the ultimate goal of the Cayman Turtle Farm is to produce meat as a means of discouraging people from poaching turtles from the wild, the charity is up against significant opposition.
During a year-long undercover investigation the WSPA brought to light the extent of the problems at the CTF, from turtles with damaged flippers and missing eyes to cannibalism in the the overcrowded, dirty tanks in which the turtles are held captive. As a result the turtles are distressed, diseased and damaged.
Streeter, a Women’s Diving Hall of Fame free-diver, who handed the petition to the CTF and government on Tuesday 29 January, said turtles should not be kept in the overcrowded, dirty, concrete tanks at the Cayman Turtle Farm.
“I grew up on the island and it was my home for a long time,” she said “Free-diving in the waters off the Cayman Islands is a beautiful experience. It is also one of the few places you can get up close and personal with the magnificent endangered green sea turtle. I’m supporting the World Society for Protection of Animals as turtles are solitary animals, and are most at home when they are swimming free in the ocean,” Streeter added.
See Streeter talk about the conditions at the CTF here
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Cows are really an endangered
Cows are really an endangered species and are the worst animal to farm they produce twenty times more waste (crap) then a turtle does. They use three acres of land to produce food for one cow. They create alot of methane gas thats helping to cause our global warming. They are the first choice for farmers to raise and cause the tropical rainforest to be destroyed in South America and Central America. Turtle farm has no bad odor unlike cow or chicken farms. If there were no farm for cows they would be EXTINCT. Only a person who likes chicken and cattle would say different.
Putting police to watch the beaches to keep turtles from being poached is ludicrous. Since they would also poach the turtles also. Besides you would need more police then we have now (366)? It would have to be 24 hours seven days a week. I speak from experience. I am a retired dive instructor. I have seen instructors steal lobsters at night. So don't tell me something you have no experience in.
We are seeing more green sea turtles because turtles are increasing in population. It has been since the 80's that the conservation laws have been enacted. Surely it must have had some kind of impact or else why have a environmental law. These laws went global. Talk to anyone from Central America and they will tell you they have never stopped eating wild sea turtles. They are gathering more sea turtles from the wild every year. Guess what its their culture too. This war will not be won. There are more poor people struggling to pay for lifes essential services. It is only a matter of time before environmentalist get their due for trying to stop people using a better way . Try and understand without the farm things will get worse and people will pay for black market wild sea turtle meat.
So be warned LEAVE THE TURTLE FARM ALONE
Sometimes cultural traditions
Sometimes cultural traditions have to evolve. Cayman used to have slaves, no automobiles, no supermarkets, no Air Conditioning, etc. We are able to pick and choose what traditions are important and benign, and which are unstainable and impractical. The argument that our citizens would simply turn to poaching wild turtles says that we are a nation of criminals! I don't believe this is true. We have plenty of other delicious traditional foods like Heavy Cake to remember the tastes of our childhoods and our ancestors. Sign up for the National Trust's Traditional Cooking class to discover more about our food heritage. It's more than just turtles!
Cultural traditions are what
Cultural traditions are what they are. They don't evolve. And don't make ridiculous comparisons to slavery.
Not a nation of criminals but
Not a nation of criminals but to think there are not enough people out there that would poach turtles is unrealistic. Every year they find nesting females "hog tied" in the bushes or slaughtered. And thats before the price of turtle sky rockets after the farm is closed. Id love to think you are right. Just know your not. In every country in the world there are people who will do anything for a dollar.
Guess what I had for lunch
Guess what I had for lunch today? Heeheehee
You people are something
You people are something else. The $8 million loss every year for your turtle hellhole is just one example. Nevermind the thousands of gallons of turtle shit and rotted food it pumps into the sea every day. Somehow this is supposed to be helping you AND the turtles? Telling everyone who disagrees to go to hell is your big answer? Pathetic.
Look in your own backyard
Look in your own backyard first
What's really strange is the
What's really strange is the best shore dive and most healthy reef on the island with the most fish is right in front of that farm that pumps out tons of shit. Maybe we should be spreading the turtle poop around the island
The 8 mil is lost on the
The 8 mil is lost on the visitors attraction. Im sure 90 % of the people here would agree something needs to be done about the park. We dont need a water slide and money wasting facility, but to stop the production of turtle meat to sell to the restaurants is signing a death warrant on the turtle population.
So on the BBC documentary
So on the BBC documentary Africa there are village people living in pretty much abject poverty that have Green turtles netting on their beaches. Do they eat them...? No they conserve and protect them. And these guys have bugger all in the way of resources. Kind of puts the fat 4x4 driving locals here demanding their turtle meat to shame.
If you are starving and you
If you are starving and you are conserving turtles rather than eating them then you are an idiot. Nothing to be admired about that.
Except they have no shame.
Except they have no shame.
As someone from remote Papua
As someone from remote Papua New Guinea, I am going to go set up a human farm, so we can keep alive our heritage and culture when it comes to cannibalism.
What I am baffled about is
What I am baffled about is that you have killer whales and dolphins at sea world, Miami sea aquarium and bush gardens. How come the wspa and ms streeter not making a fuss? Imagine a killer whale kept in a cramped tank for the rest of their lives. To me this is worst than raising turtles for meat.
Don't get me wrong the turtle farm needs some improvements or I will stop supporting them. However, these bullies need to go after the bigger manopoly companies and leave our national dish alone. As far as I can see, if we put and end to turtle farm that means we can't eat anymore turtle meat. Which would mean illegal slaughter of wild turtles of all ages to meet the demands of the black market.
what a silly argument.....
what a silly argument..... its like saying we should have elephant farms because that will stop the illegal ivory trade......
the real solution is stop the famring and enforce the laws about catching/eating turltes....
I agree and know that sadly
I agree and know that sadly if we stop feeding our lust for turtles, we will simply go back to eating up the wild ones and like the sponges and sharksand our sea population will be gone.
Don't believe me? Ask any employee of the National Trust and they will tell you the sad, but true history of Caymanians wiping out every single resource they (we) could.
There used to be and abundance of Ironwood found nowhere else in the world, the tall, straight Cayman Ironwood was desired for building, see many now? Ask about the Guano industry we USED to have. (Bird droppings for fertlizer until we killed ll the birds)
Sharking used to be a thriving industy, until we killed all the sharks....Sponges, same thing.
Let's face it, all of my grandparents told me of about our unquenchable lust for overfishing and warned we would run out someday...Why do you think we moved onto Honduras and beyond? To find more turtles...
Sorry Tanya, I'm a fan of your diving and apprecaite your conservation efforts, but left alone on our own, we will kill and eat every last turtle until not one is left
Keep the farming and improve the sanitation! We never needed the "political new turtle farm", but we do need the local supply to continue.
Sincerely,
From: "I don't eat turtle and I don't eat reef fish local
BS.
BS.
Lots of people make a fuss
Lots of people make a fuss about these places. Lots of people think they are unethical. The WSPA has, in fact, condemned Sea World. Google away...
Well they obviously have not
Well they obviously have not gone after it the way they have gone after the Turtle Farm. Hypocrites.
Tanya's own statement makes
Tanya's own statement makes no sense. She says it one of the few places she can dive and see turtles--why, you may ask...because over the last 40 years the farm has released them into the wild. That's why silly bobo!! Without the farm we will simply go back to catching those that she sees now out there and it 4-5 years seeing one here will be rarer than seeing a unicorn. Give me a break Tanya!
Just as a matter of clarity
Just as a matter of clarity most of the turtles that one sees while diving at least from my point of view are 90%Hawksbill turtles.The odd green now and then plus ridleys and leather backs now and then as well.PS I dive nearly every day.
PS u dont dive little Cayman
PS u dont dive little Cayman loads of green turtles there , you should see in by Kingston Bight and boy do they taste good.
Peter. As someone with years
Peter. As someone with years of experience would you care to share your expert opinion on what may happen to the turtles in the wild if production of meat is cut off to the restaurants? You are one of the most qualified to answer and your view would be most valuable.
In my experience I would
In my experience I would place it closer to 99% Hawksbills that are seen by divers. In many years of leading dives here I have seen many turtles, but can count the number that were not Hawksbills on one hand.
The Cayman Turtle Farm does not raise Hawksbill turtles for release, only greens.
Yet of all the turtles
Yet of all the turtles released, DOE only has evidence of 60 returning here to nest over the last decade. What makes you think the turtles you see on the reef are the ones released? Wishful thinking?
If it had not been for the
If it had not been for the turtle farm those in the wild would have been fished to extinction. That is part of the point.
You may be right. there wont
You may be right. there wont be any turtles left here to nest if the farming of turtle stops. sad but true
recheck that number 60 - it's
recheck that number 60 - it's more like 12.
This whole idea is silly. If
This whole idea is silly. If they close the farm we are simply going to eat every turtle showing up here to lay eggs. The DOE and friends could never have enough staff to police those returning turtles at that point. The end result will simply be worst for the turtles. Over the years the farm has released tens of thousands of turtles into the wild and will continue to do so. It is not uncommon for a diver now to see the results of that swimming around our reefs today. I guarantee by closing the farm those free ones will be eaten also.XXXX overseas group, you are misguided- we will simply eat the wild ones. Nothing gained but something surely lost.
How 'bout we close down the
How 'bout we close down the turtle farm and release the current stock.
Then take $1 million of the current $8 million/year subsidy the farm receives and re-allocate it to the DOE.
With this $1 million they could have two dedicated turtle enforcement officers employed per eight hour shift, paying $300 per shift, 24 hours per day for 365 days of the year, and still come in under the $1 million dollar budget. In fact there is enough remaining to have a third patroller on each night shift, 365 days of the year.
Frankly that would be $1 million well spent (on conservation and preservation and employ more Caymanians) and this idea would save the CIG $7 million per year.
Why don't you just....I don't
Why don't you just....I don't know....NOT eat them? There are lots of things I like, but don't eat for various reasons to do with health and ethics. Like veal for instance. Or Chilean Seabass. I'm sure you can NOT eat some things too, particularly if you are genuinely concerned about your natural heritage.
Do you think its realistic
Do you think its realistic that if you close the farm turtle is not going to be eaten everyone just stop now. In a perfect world maybe. Its not going to happen
It is very possible to change
It is very possible to change learned behaviour. It requires the committment of government and targeted education. It has been done in other countries to change all kinds of habits. I am sure you don't mean to imply that Caymanians are less educable than others.
And after you eat all the
And after you eat all the turtles, then will it stop being the ' national dish'. You not talkin sense.
If there are problems with
If there are problems with the Cayman Turtle Farm lets commit to getting them fixed. No one wants to eat diseased turtle meat, but closing the farm will only encourage poaching of wild turtles as there is obviously a market for turtle meat. Also importantly, lets not forget that turtle meat is a traditional Caymanian dish and a part of our Culinary Culture whether you like that fcat or eat it or not. XXXX
The world needs to clamp down
The world needs to clamp down on this barbaric place. The UK should be ashamed of not stepping in and closing it down. A couple of hicks holding on to outdated "culture" is not an excuse.
Your comment is very
Your comment is very offensive. Culture is not something to be dated and Caymanians are not hicks. You are clearly a very prejucided and bigoted person.
Culture is something to be
Culture is something to be dated. Lets take say, slavery and putting Christians into stadia with lions as examples. And Caymanians have suffered from isolation and little islanderitis. Any group that elects the people the Caymanians elects are fair target for calling hicks. JuJu thinks the world is a few thousand years old. So be offended, if the truth offends you so be it.
Would you please stop with
Would you please stop with the ridiculous comparisons with slavery already. There is no comparison whatsoever.
We are fully aware that you are intentionally offensive to Caymanians. Please expect the same in return but of course when you get it you will be claiming we are "xenophobic".
You and people like you are the best arguments for Rollover.
If I said I was a 2004 Status
If I said I was a 2004 Status grantee would that make you feel better?
truth hurts?
truth hurts?
They want locals to help kill
They want locals to help kill lion fish. When the locals wasn't even given a chance to have their culture carried on. I say go lion fish eat the baby groupers lets see what DOE next smart move will be!
What is wrong with you?
What is wrong with you?
My first thought is "a lot"
My first thought is "a lot"
The cow is the most
The cow is the most endangered animal in this world, yet McDonalds and Buger King are two of the biggest and richest companies in this world.
Farming enables the above contradictoriness to conveniently exist.
Different people from different parts of the world eat different meats.
End of story.
(I wonder how long it took
(I wonder how long it took before some of us realized the point I was making?)
Maybe you should be more
Maybe you should be more intelligent and eloquent in attempting to make your points, because most of the time you come off as a marginally intelligent buffoon.
Although I typically read
Although I typically read (and laugh) in silence I could not but comment on this poor excuse of an elaborated fact. The cow is HARDLY an endangered species. If you doubt my statement, look up the definition of endangered. Which you probably shouldv'e, before you embarassed yourself... o_0
Once again Whodatis - you are
Once again Whodatis - you are sorely incorrect. Where on Earth did you get the information that supports your statement that cows are the most endangered animals on our planet? For the sake of yourself and our country, please keep your mouth shut when all you're doing is making yourself look a fool.
Where do you see a wild cow
Where do you see a wild cow running free :)? All farmed animals were once wild species, fish, chicken and cow. In most cases farmed animals live in worse( more cramped) conditions than they would have in the wild. At the end of the day attacking a several hundred year old dietary custom is not the way to go. You are going piss people off and instead having turtle once a month they are going to eat much more regular to spite you and or to prepare for it not being available. Neither is good for the local turtle population. Education for both sides is needed for this paradigm shift otherwise turtle meat will become the new sexy contraband. Oh yeah we need MORE money (how the hell we are going to get I don’t know!!!) to get a separate farming facility and hire proper scientist to study and monitor the turtle health and set up protocols for avoiding bottlenecking the gene pool and preventing cannibalism. Let the "fat" locals eat turtle on Thursdays, for whatever reason they want to and oh yeah it is their country after all? I keep forgetting that part...