Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision)

Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) Supplement No. 8 published with Gazette No. 13 of 23rd June, 2008. MARINE CONSERVATION LAW (2007 Revision) MARINE CONSERVATION (TURTLE PROTECTION) REGULATIONS (2008 Revision) Revised under the authority of the Law Revision Law (1999 Revision). Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations, 1978 made the 19th September, 1978. Consolidated with the Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) (Amendment) Regulations, 1985 made the 12th April, 1985 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) (Amendment) Regulations, 2007 made the 27th November, 2007. Consolidated and revised this 13th day of May, 2008. Note (not forming part of the Regulations): This revision replaces the 1996 Revision which should now be discarded. Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) 2 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) MARINE CONSERVATION (TURTLE PROTECTION) REGULATIONS (2008 Revision) ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS 1. Citation 2. Definition 3. Prohibition on possession of turtle eggs 4. Closed season for turtles 5. Illegal possession of turtles 6. Licensing of traditional fishing 7. Tagging by licensees 8. Inspection of turtles 9. Failure to return tag 3 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) 4 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) MARINE CONSERVATION (TURTLE PROTECTION) REGULATIONS (2008 Revision) 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision). Citation 2. In these regulations- Definition “turtle” means any member of any of the marine species of the Phylum Chordata, Class Repitilia, Order Chelonia, including, but without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing Chelonia mydas, the green turtle; Eretmochelys imbricata, the hawksbill turtle; Caretta caretta, the logger head turtle; Dermochelys coriacea, the trunkback turtle; Chelonia depressa, the Australian sea turtle; Lepidochelys olivacea, the Ridley turtle; and hybrids between these various species. 3. Whoever has in his possession any turtle egg is guilty of an offence: Prohibition on possession of turtle eggs Provided, however, that nothing in this regulation shall apply to (a) the egg of any turtle bred in captivity by the holder of a licence granted under the Endangered Species Protection and Propagation Law (1999 Revision); or 1999 Revision (b) any egg taken in accordance with a licence issued by the Board under section 16. 4. Whoever takes, disturbs or molests in any way or attempts to take, disturb or molest in any way any turtle during the months April to November in any year is guilty of an offence: Closed season for turtles Provided that this regulation shall not apply to a turtle bred in captivity by the holder of a licence in respect of turtles under the Endangered Species Protection and Propagation Law (1999 Revision). 5. Whoever, not being licensed by the Board under regulation 6, in respect of turtles, or the Endangered Species Protection and Propagation Law (1999 Revision), has a turtle in his possession is guilty of an offence. Illegal possession of turtles 6. (1) The Board may grant licences to fishermen who have traditionally taken turtles within the Cayman Fisheries Zone by traditional methods to take turtles within such Zone by such traditional methods for consumption within the Islands. Licensing of traditional fishing 5 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) (2) Licences under subregulation (1) shall be issued only to persons normally resident in the Islands and each such licence shall (a) be issued annually and specify the maximum number of turtles which may be taken within the period specified in the licence; (b) prohibit the taking of turtles by means of harpoon or spear gun, or a net which is anchored or affixed to any object in any manner; and (c) specify the minimum and maximum size of turtles which may be taken. 7. Every turtle taken by the holder of a licence shall, immediately after taking, have attached to it one of the tags which shall be issued to such holder by the Board, and whoever, whether licensed or not, has in his possession a turtle untagged in contravention of this regulation is guilty of an offence. Tagging by licensees 8. Any licence holder or other person who slaughters or injures a turtle before such turtle has been inspected by a fisheries officer and before such fisheries officer has checked and recorded the details of the licence under which such turtle has been taken, the weight and sex of such turtle, the area and date of capture of such turtle and the number of the tag upon such turtle is guilty of an offence. Inspection of turtles 9. Any licence holder who having lawfully slaughtered or otherwise disposed of a turtle fails forthwith to return a tag to a fisheries officer is guilty of an offence. Failure to return tag Publication in consolidated and revised form authorised by the Governor in Cabinet this 13th day of May, 2008. Carmena Watler Clerk of Cabinet 6 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) 7 Marine Conservation (Turtle Protection) Regulations (2008 Revision) (Price $ 1.60) 8