Cayman Islands turtle farm triples price of meat

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — A Cayman Islands state-owned turtle farm that officials say protects the endangered species is tripling its price of meat to stay in business.

Managing director Timothy Adam says turtle steak will cost $33 a pound starting Monday.

The old price was far below production costs, and the farm was losing money, Adam said.

Green sea turtles are a protected species, but also are considered a local delicacy. Farm officials say that by breeding turtles for meat, they prevent people from hunting them in the wild.

Adam said in a statement late Friday that researchers also are looking at the turtles' diet because eggs are not hatching.

The farm has roughly 490 turtles for breeding and another 7,600 as part of a release program.