World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

EGYPTPOPULATION : Bretmochalys imbricataNesting sites Signs of nesting have been recorded at many sites betweenGubal el Kebir, at the southern end of the Gulf of Suez and Ras Banas,toward the south of Egypt's Red Sea coast (Frazier and Salas, 1984). Somemainland nesting occurs, but much less commonly than on Islands, whichInclude Gubal el Kebir, Baruda, and Siyal, Amalawaya and Mahabls in theHamata group. There Is said to be some nesting on Islands in the Gulf ofAqaba, Shadwan (at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez), and on Islands stretchingsouth from Ras Banas to the Sudan border including St John's (Frazier andSalas, 1984) In the latter area, the Slyal Islands (notably Gezlra SlyalKebir) and the Rawabel islands, there are turtle nesting sites almostcertainly used by Hawksbills (Goodman, 1985) (the Slyal and Rawabal Islandsare within the Sudan Government Administration Area, although part ofEgyptian territory (Goodman, 1985).Nesting numbers "Very provisional estimates" made on the basis ofobserved nesting signs suggest that 100 females a year may use Gubal elKebir and nearby islands, 50 a year in the Baruda and Hamata groups, and 50on Ras Banas (Frazier and Salas, 1984). Four or five females are reportedto nest nightly In April-May on Gezlra Siyal Kebir (Goodman, 1985). Thereappear to be fewer than 200 females nesting each season in the area surveyedby Frazier and Salas, but including other reputed nesting sites (eg.Shadwan) and nesting on Tiran and Shanaflr, there could be up to 500Hawksblll nesting annually In Egyptian territory (Frazier and Salas, 1984).The Hawksblll is certainly far more abundant In Egypt than other sea turtlespecies, and a nesting population of 200-500 is relatively large on a worldscale (Frazier and Salas, 1984).Trends In nesting numbers Frazier and Salas (1984) suggested that seaturtle populations in Egypt are likely to have declined In numbers, butacknowledge that this cannot be substantiated.Nesting season Nesting appears to take place between April and July(Frazier and Salas, 1984).Foraging sites Suitable coral reef feeding habitat is vast in extent andrich in species (Frazier and Salas, 1984).THREATSHabitat disturbances, notably oil pollution and underwater explosions, areprobably the major current threat to turtle population in Egypt. Oilpollution, in the form of spills and tar balls from tanker washing, iswidespread. Two dead beached Hawksbllls found in a recent survey wereoil-covered; this is suspected to indicate a major oil pollution Incident(Frazier and Salas, 1984). Underwater explosions, carried out duringseismic oil-survey work or fishing, are certain to have damaged coral reefand other habitats, and are suspected to cause some turtle mortality.EXPLOITATIONCommodities Both C. mydas and E. Imbricata are exploited locally foreggs and meat: egg collection may be widespread and some fishermen claimregularly to eat turtle meat. Including Hawksblll, which is reported to beoccasionally poisonous in the area. Turtle carapaces are sold as tourist176