We focus too much on our own lives, in a blinkered, selfish tunnel vision. Take a look at this
Wendy Herron formed SOS Tobago nine years ago to combat the threats facing endangered leatherback turtles – the poaching for meat, eggs, and shells ; coastal development ; entanglement in fishing nets.
Whilst she was in Tobago her organisation patrolled the three primary leatherback nesting beaches, worked with local guides and hotels to reduce the impact of uncontrolled tourism on the beaches, and tried to educate the island’s communities about the importance of conservation.
Since she resigned, I feel this is no longer an effective organisation with any real achievements or track record. Consequently the leatherbacks continue to suffer enormously, without any co-ordinated rescue operations in place.
I tracked Wendy down to the US and told her about my Campaign, with my cousin, Andre, a vet and scientist, and local conservationist based in Tobago, Peter Cox.
This is her response.
Sharon, I just went to your website; impressive. Your turtle pages are informative & accurate. Hopefully the British tourists who flock to the culpable hotels will visit your site. You have stirred up many memories that break my heart and I will send another email to you in a few days to give you my thoughts.
I was particularly taken by the fact that you included a bit about Captain Paul Watson. He answered my call for help in 2001. I will be back in touch in a few days when I have had time to compose my thoughts. Thanks for your help with the “Ladies”, they certainly need it.
Best regards, Wendy Herron
Please support this, without the ancient sea creatures who eat jellyfish and contribute to the vital balance of the oceans, our seas will all die, and we will become extinct. We cannot live without the oceans and we need to save these creatures of the sea, instead of focusing our lives on our own gains.
Go to my website and make a donation, however small, and send me an awareness and support e mail, each and every one will ultimately be helpful to who Wendy Herron calls ‘ the ladies, ‘ the majestic nesting leatherback turtles www.sharonfeinstein.co.uk/turtles
Tags: leatherback sea turtles
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 am
I think this is an important campaign and I congratulate you Sharon on your dedication in raising awareness of the unnacceptable practices that continue to endanger these turtles. More crucially still you have a clear course of action that will make a difference without costing millions.
Whilst many species are under threat throughout the world, it is strange that the authorities in Tobago do nothing about this slaughter even if only in recognition of the fact that “eco tourism” is ever increasing and it’s bad business for an island that relies so heavily on Western tourism, to ignore both the moral and business imperatives this raises.
If we can’t save relatively large, charismatic, species what hope of saving the less appealing but equally important, smaller ones? This deserves all our support.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Thank you for your really supportive, considered comment, Andrew. Appreciate it a lot and ultimately so do the turtles
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 am
I’m right behind you on this Sharon.
When we consider what impact we can make on good causes personally, it does seem that real progress can be made for a relatively modest outlay.
I will pass the message on.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
That’s absolutely right, Cara. I have just interviewed Sea Shepherd founder and whale saver, Paul Watson, and to quote him- ” People have got to get involved as individuals and use whatever skills they have. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher, writer, lawyer, use your skills to make this a better world. People have to do what they’re best at. I don’t expect everybody to jump on a boat and go save the whales. But people can get involved in their own communities on different levels, just be active. Whatever your passion is you can change the world”
December 5th, 2010 at 3:52 am
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
December 18th, 2010 at 2:07 am
Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.