St. Vincent and the Grenadines has always for many years enjoy turtle season for a period of time in the year just like the lobster season. The fisher folks looked forward to that time when they can present their families with a special treat. Some people illegally catch turtles during the offseason and like any other law are prosecuted and if convicted faced the penalty of the court.

The current government has placed a ban on the catching of turtle. I do not understand the logic with their decisions. There is no need for a ban when all mechanisms are in place for the protection of the endangered species according to the “filthy” rich people who do not have any insights as for how the people of the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines live or survive.

The outside pressure from foreign interests has caused a greater hardship on the livelihood of the fisher folks and their families because of the promised grant monies. Meanwhile, Japan and Taiwan continue to fish in our waters with no accountability.

The ban on the fisherfolks to STOP catch turtles has increased the neighbouring islands to catch and kill. The sanctuary in Bequia is saving and replenishing the waters for Grenada, Barbados and St. Lucia to catch and kill at expense of a government-imposed ban.

The government should ask Japan to assist with the renovations, repairs and upgrade of “Little Tokyo” rather than all the restrictions that they are imposing on the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.