Paul McCartney and 43,000 people back campaign to close Cayman’s sea turtle farming
Former member of The Beatles, singer, songwriter and composer, Sir Paul McCartney, MBE, is one of over 43,000 people worldwide who have signed the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) petition to “Stop Sea Turtle Farming”.
McCartney announced on Wednesday via his website and on Twitter he supports the WSPA campaign and has signed the petition.
“There is no humane way to farm sea turtles,” he said.
The WSPA petition claims:
Sea turtles crushed, stressed and diseased. Living with open wounds in waste-filled waters. Welcome to the Cayman Turtle Farm.
Life in these tanks is a living hell for the naturally solitary sea turtle. They are so stressed they turn on each other, biting and maiming.
In-breeding at the farm is a major problem. Some turtles are even born without eyes.
This horror is all in pursuit of profit. While a few lucky sea turtles are released, far more will be slaughtered and sold as steaks or burgers.
We have published both sides of the argument when we broke the story here in Cayman on October 12th and warned that there was going to be a public backlash against the farm and the government, Department of Tourism and Cayman Turtle Farm had better prepare themselves for a fight with the odds heavily stacked against them.
Cayman Islands Minister of Environment, Mark Scotland, said on CITN/Cayman27, in response to the WSPA’s extremely detailed and scientific claims that they also videoed, that the WSPA doesn’t understand the “unique connection between turtles and Caymanians.”
“Turtles for us,” he said, “is an iconic creature something the generations the industry was built on many, many years ago.”
He backed the Cayman Turtle Farm completely and said the WSPA’s campaign was “unfounded” and “unfair” by making it a worldwide issue.
He made it clear that the WSPA were actually trying to blackmail the Cayman Turtle Farm to close.
“Stop doing it or we (WSPA) are going to object,” he declared.
There is supposed to be an Independent Audit of the Turtle Farm at the end of the year, although government has announced no positive date.
To see all our stories on the subject go to:
Editorial Oct 15/2012: http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/the-editor-speaks-letters-to-the-editor/
Government replies to WSPA Oct 15/2012: http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/cayman-government-replies-to-wspa-claims-of-health-risks-to-turtles-at-farm/
Letter to Editor from WSPA Oct 15/2012:
Turtle Farm accused of outdated practices Oct 15/2012: http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/cayman-islands-turtle-farm-accused-of-outdated-practices-and-crippling-debts-by-business-model/
Editorial Oct 14/2012: http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/the-editor-speaks-why-we-must-be-careful-of-petitions/
Turtle Farm fights back Oct 12/2012: http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/cayman-turtle-farm-fights-back-against-wspas-stop-sea-turtle-farming/
