Hawksbill stays on endangered list

At one time turtle shell jewelry could be found all over Belize, not to mention the rest of the world, but that was before an international convention called CITES banned the trade in the endangered hawksbill turtle. Today the Coastal Zone Management Authority reports that last month a proposal to ease that ban was defeated by CITES member countries, including Belize. The move by Cuba to allow hawksbill fishing and trade within Cuban territory and territorial waters would have effected Belize since it is believed that the turtles are migratory. That is they could be born here, under the protection of our laws, but later swim across the Yucatan Channel to Cuba and be taken for their valuable shell, never to return to Belize. Those who opposed the Cuban resolution, however, are prepared to look at the issue within a regional context to see if there are better ways to sustainably manage the resource. That meeting will be hosted by Belize next month.