World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC"commercial". This appears merely to reflect a change in the reportingsystem of the USA rather than a change in the application of CITESregulations. These transactions are summarised in Table 56.LEGISLATIONDecreto No. 600, 26 February 1975Prohibits the capture within territorial waters of all sea turtles witha carapace length of less than 50 cm.Decreto No. 1580, 20 August 1977Establishes a requirement to obtain a permit to export turtle products.Prohibits the collection or sale of turtle eggs at all times.Prohibits the keeping or capture of E. imbricata during the months ofMay, July, September and October.Decreto No. 314, October 1986.Establishes minimum size limits for the capture and sale of turtles asfollowsChelonia mydasEretmochelys imbricataDermochelys coriaceaCaretta caretta90 cm71 cm152 cm152 cm ( fide Ottenwalder, 1987b)The capture of all females nesting or out of the water is prohibited.[It appears that Decreto No. 600, 1975 has been superseded, but it Isnot clear whether or not No. 1580, 1977 is still in force].Ottenwalder (1987b) pointed out that the export of unworked shell ofE. imbricata had been illegal since 1967, but without stating whatlegislation was involved.169