World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

KUWAITVery small numbers of Green Turtles and Hawksbills occur in Kuwaitiwaters, and nest on Urn Al-Maradam and Garu (= Qaru) islands. A totalof 126 nests were recorded in 1985 (A.L. Al-Zaidan in litt. .22 September 1986; species identification not available), suggesting anannual nesting total of around 40 females. Moves have just beeninitiated to protect marine biota from nylon nets and other marinedebris (A.L. Al-Zaidan in litt. . 22 September 1986).EXPLOITATIONThe Department of Fisheries Resources has indicated that there is nolocal utilisation of turtles and no international trade (A.L. Al-Zaidanin litt. . 22 September 1986).Indian customs export statistics indicated that 50 050 kg oftortoiseshell were exported to Kuwait in 1977.LEGISLATIONThere are no legislative controls on turtle exploitation(A.L. Al-Zaidan in litt. . 22 September 1986).298