Notification of Procedures for Resuscitation of Turtles (L.N. No. 194 of 1999)

Legal Supplement Part B-Vol. 38, No. 182-Bth October, 1999 LEGAL NOTICE No. 194 REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO THE FISHERIES ACT, CHAP. 67:51 NOTIFICATION OF PROCEDURES FOR RESUSCITATION OF TURTLES MADE BY THE MINISTER UNDER REGULATION 8(a) OF THE FISHERIES (CONSERVATION OF MARINE TURTLES) REGULATIONS, 1994 IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred on the Minister under Regulation B(a) of Fisheries (Conservation of Marine Turtles) Regulations, 1994, Legal Notice No. 65 of 1994, the Minister hereby gives Notice of the procedure for resuscitation of turtles. Procedure for Resuscitation of Turtles 1. Any marine turtle captured accidentally by commercial shrimp trawlers must be handled in a manner to prevent injury to live active specimens prior to release, or observed for activity, resuscitated and returned to the water according to the following proced1ll'es: (a) marine turtles that are dead or actively moving must be released over the stern of the boat and when they are released: (i) trawls must not be in use; (ii) engine gears must be in neutral position; and (iii) the release must be in areas where recapture or injury by vessels is unlikely; (b) resuscitation must be attempted on marine turtles that are comatose or inactive, but not dead, by (i) placing the turtle on its back (carapace) and pumping its breastplate (plastron) with hand or foot; or (ii) placing the turtle on its breastplate (plastron} and elevating its hindquarter several inches for a period of 1 to 24 hours. (The degree of elevation to be determined by the size of the turtle with greater elevations being needed for larger turtles); (iii) placing the turtles being resuscitated under shade and keeping them wet or moist; 695 696 Notification of Procedures for Resuscitation of Turtles (c) turtles which are successfully revived and become active as well as those which fail to respond within several hours (up to 24 hours) must be released according to procedures outlined in paragraph (a). 2. Any marine turtle captured accidentally by a commercial shrimp trawler must not be consumed, sold, offered for sale, landed, offloaded, transshipped, or kept below deck. Dated this 29th day of September, 1999. R. MOHAMMED Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources PRINTED BY THE GoVERNMENT PruNTER, PORT-OF-SPAIN REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAG0-1999