(PLTM) - Officials from the Conservation and Fisheries Department spotted this large leatherback, which came ashore on Wednesday, April 18 at the Josiah’s Bay beach.
Annually, the department monitors the areas, mainly at nights, to ensure that the protected species are not harmed as they come to shore to nest.
There is a nesting ground in the area.
In the past, persons have attacked the protected species to cash-in on the valuable `trunk oil´ which can be collected from the turtle.
Trunk oil is a relatively expensive product, mostly used for medicinal purposes.
The leatherback turtle, which is protected under the Fisheries Act, carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. The oily flesh is used to make the 'trunk oil'.
Unlike the other species where there are closed seasons, leatherbacks are protected throughout the year in the BVI.
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