World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

FRENCH POLYNESIAPOPULATION : Eretmochelys imbricataAlthough E imbricata is known to occur in French Polynesian waters, it isseen less frequently than C. mydas , and has been cited as very uncommon(Anon./SPC, 1980). While the species may be suspected to nest in the area,no information is available on nesting sites or numbers, or on favouredforaging sites.EXPLOITATIONConmodity Tahitans are said to be very fond of turtle meat and to eat itregularly (Anon., 1979). Eggs are also said to be collected on asubsistence basis (A. Lebeau in litt . 1986).Hunting intensity The current intensity of exploitation is not known.P. Galenon ( in litt. , 15 September 1986) claimed that it had now ceased, butA. Lebeau ( in litt. , 1986) implied that it still continues on a subsistencebasisHunting methods The only hunting method that has been documented forFrench Polynesia is the turning of nesting females on the beaches (Anon.,1979).Historical trends Harvests on Scilly were said to have declined over the20-30 years preceding 1979; formerly, 100-150 turtles could be turned on thenesting beach in a single night (Anon., 1979).Domestic trade There is some local trade in turtle meat. Trade incarapace is said to be very limited as it is now illegal (A. Lebeauin litt. . 1986).International trade CITES Annual Reports contain no records ofcommercial exports of sea turtle products from French Polynesia. However,three countries have reported importing small numbers of "shells" and"bodies" from French Polynesia, mostly for personal purposes or seized onentry. These are shown in Table 69.Table 69. All trade in C. mydas , E. imbricata or unspecified sea turtleproducts involving French Polynesia recorded in CITES Annual Reports since1976. The numbers refer to shells or bodies reported as imports to thecountries given.Year E. imbricata C. mydas Cheloniidae