Published 7 February 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
By: Media Source
Government’s Petty Carelessness Threatens Local Sea Turtle Population
The pettiness and carelessness of Dr. Timothy Harris and his coalition government has once again posed a major threat to one of society’s prized tourist attractions St. Kitts-Nevis are naturally blessed with – the Leatherback Sea Turtle, the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, and the Green Sea Turtle populations.
For some years now, Sandy Bank Bay was cordoned off to disallow vehicular access on the beach. This enclosure was the result of a collaboration between Christophe Harbour and the St. Kitts Turtle Monitoring Network, in an effort to ensure that the turtles at Sandy Bank Bay remain safe, comfortable, and undisturbed by vehicular traffic as it is one of the most popular areas for the turtles to nest.
Pedestrian access to the beach has NEVER BEEN PROHIBITED.
The beach, as well as the turtles, are a major attraction for both tourists and locals.
In 2009, Christophe Harbour released a statement on the wooden gates erected at the entrance of the beach, stating that in no way were persons being deterred from accessing or using the beach.
Christophe Harbour’s Director of Planning and Government Relations, Ellis Hazel, said at the time, “We assure the general public that Christophe Harbour is all about inclusion. …If you know Sandy Bank properly, you know people would drive down onto Sandy Bank Bay, and the important thing about that beach as an ecosystem is that it is one of our better turtle nesting sites on the island.”
Hazel also stated that the partnership between Christophe Harbour and the St. Kitts Turtle Monitoring Network which resulted in the barring of vehicular traffic on the beach was their effort to ensure that the nesting turtles are not further endangered.
As Timothy Harris and his government has now removed the bar, persons have now been given permission to drive vehicles of all sizes and weights onto the beach, interrupting the nesting area of these endangered turtles, or worse, harming or even killing them.
Sea turtles and their nesting sites located on the South-East Peninsula are now in grave danger as a result of Harris’ reckless incompetence.
On a rampage to score quick political points and praise from the wider community, Harris has demonstrated clearly that he will stop at nothing, no matter the cost or consequence.
This Harris-led government must be stopped!
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