Marine Turtle Network

Regulations:
The five species of turtles present in the French West Indies are seriously threatened. The risk of extinction that weighs on it is evaluated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

- The hawksbill turtle is classified as "critically endangered" (CR), which is the most threatened status (preceding extinction).

- The green and loggerhead turtles are classified as "endangered" (EN).

- The olive ridley turtle is considered "vulnerable" (VU).

- The leatherback turtle is classified as "Least Concern" (LC) for the North West Atlantic zone, but is "Vulnerable" on an international scale.

National and international regulations evolved at the end of the 20th century to take into account this vulnerability.


National regulations:
At the national level, all species of marine turtles in the French West Indies are fully protected by the ministerial decree of October 14, 2005 (they are protected since March 26, 1993 in Martinique). The penalties for non-compliance with this regulation are a fine of 150,000 € and two years imprisonment (Art. L 415-3 of the Environmental Code).

Extract from Article 3-I of the ministerial order of October 14, 2014:
I. Are prohibited, throughout the national territory and at all times:
- The destruction, alteration or degradation of the particular environment of marine turtles;
- The destruction or removal of eggs and nests ;
- The destruction, the mutilation, the capture or the removal, the intentional disturbance of marine turtles.

II. The possession, transport, naturalization, peddling, offering for sale, sale or purchase, and commercial or non-commercial use of collected marine turtle specimens are prohibited throughout the national territory and at all times.

International regulations
Marine turtles are protected by different international conventions ratified by France:
- Washington Convention (1973) on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I;
- Bonn Convention (1979) on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS): Appendices I and II;
- Bern Convention (1979) on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats: Appendix II;
- Cartagena Convention (1983) for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region;
- Rio Convention (1992) on biological diversity.

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