Yesterday marked the start of the hunting season after a two-year ban was implemented. Unfortunately, the season is opening without the structures in place to sustain wildlife.
At this time of the year crabs journey to the sea as they reproduce by depositing their eggs into the sea. This is a period where no one should be allowed to harvest crabs in order to allow for sustainability of the species.
With no laws or structures in place citizens invade the beaches along the coast and pick up as many crabs as they can find. This uncontrolled and dangerous “free for all” harvesting of wildlife must be discontinued if wildlife is to survive.
I have personally seen large populations of blue crabs totally destroyed within two years due to uncontrolled harvesting. The uncontrolled access to wildlife destroys all wildlife and crustaceans over time.
It is critical that government place limit on sizes of animals and shellfish that can be harvested as well as quantities. Laws should be enacted to ensure that no harvesting is done during the reproductive period of any species.
As is stands today crabs of all sizes are harvested and sold throughout the year; iguanas, agouti and deer are hunted with no limitations on size or quantity. During the open hunting season, a hunter can catch as many deer, agouti, iguana or opossum as he or she can wants with no regards to the overall population.
While there are some laws with regard to sizes of catch there are not enough rangers or game wardens to enforce the hunting regulations.
On an interview on radio on October 1, the Minister of Agriculture indicated that there are 13 Forest Rangers out of a possible 31. I wish to humbly suggest that rather than seek to fill the vacancy for the remaining 18, there should be the establishment of a Park Ranger service of close to 500 where these rangers not only enforce the laws regarding hunting but police our forests and state lands.
The new Park Ranger Service can ensure safety for hikers, reduce larceny, ensure that illegal marijuana cultivation is discontinued, reduce squatting and protect our forests from illegal fires.
T&T cannot continue to operate under the same old laws and system and expect changes in the quality of our lives. The new Prime Minister seems to understand the enormity of the task of rebuilding our nation and positioning T&T to be a leader in innovation and economic sustainability and one expects laws to protect and control our wildlife while maintaining our cultural desires for wild meat and hunting will be in place of the chaos that exists today.
God bless our nation.
Steve Alvarez.