World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

COMORO ISLANDSsupplement to the local population, who are generally short of protein.E. imbricata is not often eaten, and is regarded as poisonous. Most of thepopulation is Moslem, but only some appear to have religious objections toeating turtle. On Moheli, immigrants from Anjouan are said to eat turtlesbut those from Grande Comore do not. There has formerly been a major tradein tortoiseshell from these islands, and small turtles are stuffed for saleto tourists (Frazier, 1985). The oil is rendered from the fat and used forvarious purposes, including the curing of asthma. Eggs are said not to bedug from the nests but may be removed from captured females (Bonnet, 1986).Hunting intensity C. mydas is said to be generally taken whenever it isavailable. On the densely populated islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan,very few of the small number of nesting turtles escape, but hunting pressureis probably less on some of the other islands. On Moheli, 14 of the 30beaches known to support C. mydas nesting had the remains of slaughteredturtles. This led Frazier (1985) to conclude that the annual turtle cropwas about 185, or 10% of the total nesting population on the island.Hunting methods Most of the turtles are simply turned on the nestingbeaches, but a few may be noosed or speared at sea. A small number ofimmature animals are accidentally caught in nets (Frazier, 1985). There areold reports (Petit, 1930, cited by Frazier, 1985), but no recent evidence,of the use of remoras for turtle hunting in the Comoros. Turtles areusually butchered on the beaches in a very wasteful manner. Oviductal eggs,calipee and a significant proportion of the edible meat is left to rot(Frazier, 1985).Historical trends Frazier (1985) investigated the historical levels oftrade in tortoiseshell from the Comoros, and found difficulty in separatingthe exports from those of Madagascar and other nearby islands. From atleast as early as 1863 until 1917 it is clear that this region suppliedappreciable quantities of shell to Zanzibar for onward distribution.Domestic trade Frazier (1985) held that there "is no Chelonia trade ofsignificance at either Grande Comore or Anjouan". On Moheli, most of themeat is similarly used for home consumption, but at least one fisherman issaid to carry it to sell in Fomboni (Frazier, 1985). The price per kg ofmeat in 1985 was said to be lOOF CFA (US$0.28) in Moheli, 500F CFA (US$1.34)in Grande Comore, and AOOF CFA (US$1.07) in Anjouan (Bonnet, 1986). Thepresent tortoiseshell trade is not thought to be very important, but in 1972shell was said to be worth US$2. 50 a kg. Small turtles of all species arestuffed and find a ready market with tourists. One hotel owner was said topurchase them from fishermen for US$3.75 and after injecting them withformalin, to sell them for US$10-25 each (Frazier, 1985).International trade The Comoro Islands are not a Party to CITES. TheCITES Annual Reports contain no reference to trade with the Comores in seaturtle products. The only record of trade in the Customs reports consultedwas of a single import of 45 kg of raw bekko to Japan from the Comoros in1980.LEGISLATIONDecree No. 79019, Presidence de la R^publique, 9 April 1979.Prohibits the capture of all sea turtles in the territorial waters ofthe Comoro Islands and also in international waters.142