Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM, Vincentian Dr. Douglas Slater, has expressed concern about illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, illegal harvesting of endangered sea turtles, illegal logging and smuggling of local plants and animals.
In a message to mark World Environment Day, which was observed on Sunday under the theme ‘Go Wild for Life’, Dr. Slater noted that environmental and natural resources management is an integral part of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which governs CARICOM and the CARICOM Secretariat has prioritized the promotion of environmental resilience in the Community Strategic Plan.
Dr. Slater called on CARICOM’s behalf for attention to be paid to reducing illegal and unsustainable practices, which threaten the survival of species
He commended the ongoing work in the Region of the various wildlife, forestry, fishery and border protection officials, as well as the various environmental Non-Governmental Organizations, both at the national and regional levels.
He however indicated CARICOM’s concern regarding an illegal wildlife trade estimated to be worth 17-20 billion US dollars.
