Above: Dominica (CJ Photo)

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Dominica is the permanent habitat of  the Hawksbill and Greenback species of sea turtle, and the seasonal habitat of the Leatherback species.

According to conservationist Errol Harris, the population of these turtles has been drastically declining, and that another species of turtle that formerly came to Dominica’s shores has vanished entirely.

Forester Charles Watty says that humans are the number one predator of these turtles.  Poachers market illegally-snatched turtles — which can reach weights up to 800 pounds — at prices of $10-$13 per pound.

Watty has advised that the country’s Cabinet stiffen the penalty for poaching, and an amendment to do so is pending for Parliament.

The current penalty is a minimum $400 fine or three months in prison.

Recently, however, judges in Dominica have been taking a creative approach — sentencing poachers to assist in turtle conservation efforts, a tactic which Watty claims has been effective in positively changing their outlook on the creatures.

Conservationists hope that this method of education will help others understand the importance of their endeavor, and spread the spirit of conservation.

“Hopefully, we’re bringing up a set of children who are more intelligent and understanding of the environment in which they live and how they fit into that environment,” Harris said.