World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

BELIZEPOPULATION:Chelonia mydasNesting sites No sites of concentrated nesting appear to exist; mostnests seen by Moll (1985) were isolated single nests, and most were onbeaches of offshore cays rather than on the mainland, much of which bearsmangrove vegetation. Known nest sites include Ambergris Cay, Half Moon,Sapodilla Cays and Glovers Reef (Miller, 198A); also the PlacenciaPeninsula, Pompion Cay and South Silk Cay (Moll, 1985).Nesting numbers Aerial and beach surveys reported by Miller (1984)resulted in an estimate of around 20 C. mydas nesting annually. Moll (1985)recorded five nests in June-July, 1983. Although surveys are not complete,the C . mydas nesting population appears to be extremely small.Trends in nesting numbers Few details are available. Although there isno evidence that large numbers of C . mydas nested in the past, Carr et al.(1982) reported several sites where the species formerly nested but now doesso only sporadically, or not at all. This suggests that some decline in thenesting population may have occurred.Nesting season The sparse nesting reported by Miller (1984) was observedin June-August, while Moll (1985) was informed that some nesting may occurthroughout the summer.Foraging sites Whilst nesting is of little significance, Belize, with abarrier reef network, extending the length of the coast, provides veryextensive foraging grounds (Carr et al , 1982; Moll, 1985). Young C. mydasare moderately common in the central and southern areas; all age groups werefrequently seen over the near-shore shallows, where vast beds of sea grassexist (Moll, 1985).Migration No turtles have been tagged in Belize. Two females tagged atTortuguero (Costa Rica) have been recovered in Belize waters.POPULATION : Eretmochelys imbricataNesting sites No sites of concentrated nesting appear to exist; mostnests seen by Moll (1985) were isolated single nests, and most were onbeaches of offshore cays rather than on the mainland, much of which bearsmangrove vegetation. Known nest sites include Long Cay, Placencia, RanguanaCay, Pompion Cay, the Sapodilla Group, Glovers Reef and Southwest Cay(Miller, 1984; Moll, 1985). The Sapodilla Cays group in extreme southernBelize appears to be perhaps the most important Hawksbill nesting area.Nesting numbers Surveys reported by Miller (1984) resulted in anestimate of around 30 E. imbricata nesting annually. Moll (1985) recordedeight nests in June-July 1983. Although surveys are incomplete, theE. imbricata nesting population appears to be very small.Trends in nesting numbers No information. Carr et al (1982) reportedthat turtle nesting (in part, at least, by C. mydas ) has virtually ceased atsome locations due to disturbance; this nesting may have included someE. imbricata .Nesting season Nesting reported by Miller (1984) occurred inJune-August; Moll (1985) was told that Hawksbill nesting also occurred (inthe Sapodilla Cays) in August-September.92