myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

I just want to say some things I wouldn't know if I wouldn't live in Tobago and if my wife wouldn't be a local. I like this forum a lot because of many independent opinions from guests and locals. There are many experts from the island in the forum who do a very good job in giving people advice. I just want to give some comments about things that go through my mind...

I guess one important thing of the forum is that visitors tell about the experiences they made with accommodations and restaurants. Some owners might get in temptation to tell some guests to post something nice about their place when they reach their home country, or they do it in a more stupid way by writing the post by themselves and using their own name saying they were happy guests (it was a couple of month ago, but I still have to smile about this)...
But this just shows how sensitive managers are about the postings...

I just want to say something about killing turtles in Tobago. I saw by coincidence how fishermen were selling turtles at Little Rockley Bay after killing them by harpoon. I wrote an article in Tobago News about this - for the forum I might have to write a bit more softer. But killing turtles and becoming Eco-Island of the Caribbean doesn't fit so much together. There are laws, but not strict enough and they are often not enforced. There should be a law saying you mustn't be in possession of any turtle meat or parts at any time of the year. And if you put some people in prison who act against this law you might give the last turtles a real chance to survive the next 20 years. Talking and education is one thing. Singapore became a real clean city not just by talking. You really have to pay 500US if you litter. Well, this is a different case but it still shows something... (Singapore is not really a democracy, but they hardly have any corruption)...

Another thing are the wages. Most places pay the 8TT (1.33US) per hour they have to. If you get tips its okay. If you work in an All Inclusive place or in the kitchen you are less lucky with tips. And if you give tips to one person for everybody, the others may not get it. Guests often ask me how people survive with the wages and the prices at the supermarket. And then I don't know what to say. On the other side it is hard to find somebody who is able and willing to do good work. If you want to get a house build quick, you have to get people from Trini. "Tobagonians are too lazy" is what many people say...

But 8TT is still not much. And I would really like to know who is treating their staffers well and who not. My wife was working for 4 years at Jemma's in Speyside before I came to Tobago and we moved south. She really had a hard time. Working extra hours without pay, working when you are sick or when you burnt your face on the stove which was not your fault. The wages were less than the 7TT per hour and no insurance was paid. This is why staffers often don't smile and leave quick. Others depend on the job and still smile...

But now she works at another place and is happy with the job. She goes two times to the supermarket and the wages for 2 weeks is nearly spend, but they treat her real good. Also Dillons at Dillon's Seafood treat their staffers real real nice. About Coco Reef she told me that they get 9.50 per hour and have to work real hard. Every 3 month's they have to pay for their AIDS test - that's what I read in Tobago News some time ago. So I feel like asking for what kind of room service does Coco Reef employ its staffers. On the other side I read that Coco Reef doesn't want that certain kind of tourism, which I also don't want to have on the island...

The are many good places in Tobago. Coco Reef is one of them. But there are many smaller places who create a real good atmosphere for visitors and staffers. But I want to leave it up for real visitors of Tobago to tell about this...

Hi Jorg

Sounds like you needed some online therapy - to get things off your chest. It is not clear if you wanted any replies but here goes.

I read your excellent article in the Tobago News - good work. It is indeed appalling that male turtles may be legally hunted in the season plus that in actuality turtles of both sexes (as well as "iguana", armadillo, snakes, cocrico, agouti etc etc) are all hunted in or out of the season with rare prosecution. I agree with you that the laws need tightening urgently - my best guess is that successive governments have been afraid to introduce outright bans on hunting due to fear of losing votes with the majority of T&T nationals who have enjoyed a long heritage/tradition of eating these animals - particularly at special festivals.

Now that the importance of Tobago tourism has finally dawned on the government, as the oil/gas wealth cannot last forever, as you say there is much talk of introducing new laws but little action. Two positive recent developments are the introduction of eco-lessons to primary school children here and the appointment of extra wardens - but the latter cannot act without the backing of tough laws.

I guess the best thing we could do is keep pressuring the THA and national government to act, but might it be worth organising a (legal) public demonstration (march?) in favour of new anti-hunting laws? Combined with embarassing international publicity ( given, as you say, the eco-awards) this might force the hand of the THA and Mr Chin Lee etc to take action. Your knowledge puts you in the frame - involving the Buccoo Reef Trust would be a good idea too.

As for wages, yes they are too low and staff are treated badly. But, many Tobagonians do not pay mortgages or rent, living on family land, so the cost of living here can be cheap too. I am an advocate of "investing in people", a UK scheme which is great in theory but usually fails to be properly applied to its civil servants. However, when you see Tobagonian staff who are paid higher than average wages, given smart clean uniforms and proper training and supervision, the positive effects are clear - some of the best service I have received has been at the Coco Reef and its connected Cafe Coco so the staff can't be that miserable (and do you have direct evidence other than hearsay of the HIV tests?). I was never offered any "extra services" after my dessert, other than by the Mrs (my birthday).

Could you please let us all know details of any turtle etc saving organisation that we can support here, or if not think about setting one up? A nice embarassing march past the media TV cameras the next time Richard Branson flies into Crown Point to meet the government bigwigs (for the opening of the new terminal in a year or so?) might rattle a few cages. You will have most of the tourist visitors on side with you - even those not interested in wildlife or eco-tourism here would likely support any moves to stop the killing of rare creatures, plus, the employment/money they bring to the island offers alternatives to those locals who may need the revenue that killing them brings, to survive.

Regards

Thanks for your reply Glyn. Yes, why not make a march to protest for the protection of the turtles. Why not collect signatures from locals and visitors against the killing of the last turtles. There is SOS Seaturtle, a small local group who educates and makes beach patrols. Tanya from SOS often writes in Tobago News and I have the impression she knows a lot about turtles and the laws in T&T. But of course anybody could contact me by email over this forum to organize something like a protest or march - I am happy for any reply...

In Tobago you hear often things like "my grandfather was hunting turtles, my father was hunting, I am hunting and my son..." - won't hunt any turtles, because there will be no one left anymore. Often it starts with a small group making noise. Then others see, that this group is not that wrong and finally attitudes and laws will change. You can see this in many cases...

One more thing about the wages and living in Tobago: Yes, it is a real luck that many people in Tobago have family support, that they have a room in a family house to live and that somebody cooks for them or that grandma is watching the children. Maybe this is a reason why Tobago is much more quiet and peaceful than Trinidad, where you have plenty social problems...

One more word about Coco Reef that there is no misunderstanding: My impression is that it is a real first class accommodation with professional staff and I am sure they don't offer any extra services. But if the staffers have to take an HIV-test every three month, I am not sure if this is necessary. That may mean that Magic Johnson is allowed to play basketball at the Olympics or in the NBA but that he wouldn't be allowed working in an office at Coco Reef or to tell people something about condoms...

But better start talking about turtles and wages first...

Hi Jorg

Thanks for the info - do you have a number for Tanya of SOS Seaturtles? (Is it the same Tanja as at Yes Tourism?). I have a cunning plan to apply gentle pressure on the key figures, which us folk involved with tourism can assist with.

I think that it is important not to lose sight of land animals too - for instance the Agouti is now rare due to hunting for bushmeat (although I must confess to being fed curried Agouti when I was 9 at a Trini wedding - as it was considered normal then and sadly, now too I imagine). Hunting laws may as well be broad and cover all endangered species - or you just have to go back to the drawing board again for the next animal. I saw one Agouti in my garden a few months ago, a large mammal for those curious readers, like a sort of rabbit/rat cross and apparently a close relation to Guinea Pigs (is this right anyone?). I haven't seen one since and they should be common.

My closest shave with conservation since living here was to persuade three rastamen who were trying to kill a Tropical Mockingbird with a slingshot (perched on my garden fence!) that it was not hunting season. They were not impressed but sloped off after a little cursing, much to my cowardly relief!

Something has to change, but I do have an idea and will start working on it and keep you posted if it gets anywhere.

Regards

Hi Guys

Yes, the agouti is a member of the guinea pig family and more commonly found in Belize, according to Britannica, which states (referring to Belize)

One of the special “national dishes” is the tailless gibnut (Agouti paca; a relative of the guinea pig), called the “Royal Rat” on many Belizean restaurant menus because the British press had objected to its being served to Elizabeth II in 1985.

MS Bookshelf states: A burrowing rodent of the genus Dasyprocta, native to tropical America and usually having brown fur streaked with gray. French, from American Spanish agutí, from Guarani acutí.]



By the way, I couldn't agree more with the sentiments expressed above about saving the Giant Leatherbacks and all Tobago's national wildlife treasures (with the possible exception of the Cocrico).

Hi Steve

Thanks for the pic and info - so cute!

Since there are no foxes or natural predators (except hawks and the large Boa Constrictors) here the Agouti should be plentiful, but sadly are not.

I shall discuss my plan to save the world with you when you are over here, over a nice bowl of turtle soup (just kidding Jorg!).

Regards

What do you mean no natural predators? Was it not you that admitted that ..

the majority of T&T nationals who have enjoyed a long heritage/tradition of eating these animals

I look forward to discussing these issues with you, but I shall be keeping a very beady eye on what you put on that barbie!

I have just put up a website that would seek to educate anyone, locals and visitors alike, about the plight of turtles and agoutis in Tobago. I will be doing work with breeding agoutis in tobago and i have contacts for a gentleman that also rears agoutis in captivity.

Please visit the website and have a look and tell me what you all think of it. I was thinking that if persons could give a contribution to save seaturtles and agoutis etc. one of the gifts that could be bestowed for a contribution would be and island tour or some similar tourism product.

Hence we can really be sustainable, by letting tourism, finance the conservation of endangererd species.

please visit

http://www.geocities.com/lyndonramrattan/

Download the leatherback video here

http://www.geocities.com/lyndonramrattan/hatchlings.mpg

have fun everyone!!

Hallo friends,
You are right, something has to be done to save the turtles.And the other wildlife.
Before You start any action, please read this :

1.Don´t bring too much weight to the shoulders of tobago´s guests.
2.At first, the Tobagonian have to deal with these things.
You would not accept Tobagonians in London or Berlin, who will tell You, what has be done there.
3.There is no need to create new enviromental societies or groups on Tobago or Trinidad. There are more than enough ! And some are working since more then ten Years.
4.There are two things, every Tobagonian reacts very sencitive :
Slavery and colonization.
And, please believe me, every kind of demonstration with european or us-american people in front will leed to a fiasco.
Once again, it´s high time to save the wildlife on and around the island. We should try, to empower the tobagonian people and their organisations. Not just with money, more with (intelligent) ideas.
I am very interested in a reply by Tobagonian residents or citicen.
Thank You
Horst Heiser

yes, I agree that action has to taken by local people. This is why Environment Tobago has an education program to start in schools. And I know that many kids protect turtles where the fathers used to kill them. I also know that many Tobagonians are happy if they can learn from other people and other nations. It is the same as the German education minister travels to Scandinavia to learn about their education system. Everybody should learn from each other. And there are many things tourists could learn from the locals...

On the other side it is much about pressure groups. Hunters want to hunt and turtles can't vote, demonstrate or even speak. This makes it a bit unequal. Tourism industry can be a big pressure group to make things even. Two countries in northers Europe lose millions of US every year in the tourism industry because they still kill whales...

People in Tobago are well aware of how important tourism is. And the government is well doing something: A local misbehaves to a tourist and a week after he is in prison. Tourists want to be secure and see turtles alive. Tobago people do ensure one thing and could also ensure the other thing...

One thing that could make sense is a sit in at Pigeon Point with Fishermen, Environmentalists, locals and tourists - it is always better if you are mixed - black, white, yellow, brown and red. But not blue - too much rum is not good. And by the way fishermen get their free access to Pigeon Point and agree to ensure the safety of the turtles...

Hello All

Since we are on the topic of environmental activism and making a positive change in tobago, and we all seem to care about every organism in the sea and the fishermen and all that stuff. Lets take this opportunity, to continue this dialouge that has already started and continue it until, we can generate feasible tourism and conservation develoment alternatives. This can be the start of a new begining, since a forum like this, also allows expertise and expereince from any number of interested individual to comment on the future of tobago's development.

I am particularly interested in developing the organic agriculture industry in tobago, likewise conserving all life. I am not opposed to hunters and fishermen as they have been doing that all the time to survive. We cannot, begin now to condem their actions, for they do not know better and they know no other alternative form or survival, except, Tourism. History shows us that tourism development does not help a country, (yes maybe in the short term) but almost all the time there are unrecoverable environmental degradations. Such is the case with Tobago.

We cant expect to turn all the fishermen and hunters into tour guides, but it will work for some cases. We need to bring people back to the soil to secure their food and that is the most important challenge.

Let us bring the ideas and the resources forward here and let each other know what is there to do, and what needs to be done, and what is not being done!


To Empower, we must give Power, and our country's watchwords say, Discipline, Tolerance and Production will set Tobagonians Free Forever.

This is a big problem right around the world.

There was probably far less of a problem when populations were smaller and tools less effective and islands were more isolated. The effects on eco-systems were more sustainable.

Now what we do here in Europe can effect the happenings of fishermen in Tobago and quite rightly those fishermen protest at them being the ones having to make most of the changes.

Also it's one of perception. If they were hunting something less cute and possibly more damaging or potentially harmful to humans (rats, jellyfish etc) the outcry from us tourists would be far less even if the damage were greater (turtles eat jellyfish).

However these effects are in place so all the best in getting your message across.

If locals want to carry on with long standing traditions they may have to scale back in some areas to allow those traditions to be passed down to their children. If they want to have turtles to hunt next year they must let enough live to breed and develope. This may mean changes to the way they fish. Maybe they need help in developing means to continue their work with less impact on the environment. More carrots, less sticks.

It is a real difficult problem that has been encountered all round the world and it is usually the less articulate and wealthy who loose out. It is a question of balance and it is us in the first world that are now forcing the rest of the planet into a new equilibrium. It's also us in the first world who are less affected by the mess we create as we live and work in climate controlled boxes with resources to allieviate the worst that happens.