World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

INDIAEXPLOITATIONConmodlty Both C. mydas and E. imbricata are reportedly heavilyexploited (except on Minicoy), but primarily for oil, used for caulkingboats, rather than for meat, which is eaten rarely or used for shark bait.Eggs are consumed more frequently (Kar and Bhaskar, 1982). Sometortoiseshell is harvested for export to the mainland (Frazier, 1980a).Hunting intensity Current levels of exploitation in Lakshadweep areunknown. Kar and Bhaskar (1982) said that turtles were "avidly" harpooned,but Dattatri (1984) described the exploitation as "slight".Hunting methods Turtles are generally harpooned; though the traditionaluse of sailing boats is giving way to motor boats (Kar and Bhaskar, 1982).Some females are turned on the nest beach.Historical trends There was reported to have been an important fisheryfor Chelonia for oil as long ago as 1922 (see Frazier, 1980a), but it is notknown how the intensity compared with the present levels.Domestic trade Prior to 1978, Hawksbill scutes were said to be sold tomainland dealers in Hangalore, fetching RslSO a kg in the 1970s (Kar andBhaskar, 1982). Oil sells for US$7.5 for 20 1 (Frazier, 1980a).International trade Although some shell is believed to be exported tothe mainland, there is no evidence of direct international trade.LEGISLATIONThe Wildlife Protection Act (1972) (q.v.) is effective in the Lakshadweep.INDIA:ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDSPOPULATION:Chalonia mydasNesting sites Only a small proportion of the several hundred islands andislets in these groups have been surveyed for turtle nesting; on presentevidence C. mydas nesting does not appear to be widespread. Nesting hasbeen confirmed on four of 12 uninhabited Andaman islands visited: Interview,South Reef, South Brother and Snark (Bhaskar, 1984a, 1984b). In addition,the uninhabited South Sentinel Island (Andamans) is known to be favoured bynesting Green Turtles, as is Heroe in the Nicobar group (Bhaskar, 1984a,1984b).Nesting numbers Few data are available. Bhaskar recorded the followingnumbers of nest pits during his recent two-month survey in the Andamansbetween 16 November 1983 and 18 January 1984.Nesting season Peak nesting is almost certainly during the south-westmonsoon, between June and September, and sporadic nesting may occurthroughout the year (Bhaskar, 1984b).Foraging sites Little detailed information available, but suitablefeeding habitat is widespread in the group (Bhaskar, 1984b).236