World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

MALDIVESMost of the other exports of turtle material are believed to be in the formof curios purchased by tourists. Munch-Petersen ( in litt . 24 September1986) reported that there was an export market for small, formalin-preservedturtles, and correspondence with an aquarium fish dealer in the Maldivesindicates that young turtles are occasionally exported, concealed inconsignments of fish.The Maldives is not a Party to CITES, and there are few records of trade inturtle products in the CITES Annual Reports. Since 1977, a total of12 shells have been reported imported to the USA, two to F.R. Germany andone to the UK.LEGISLATIONLaws relating to the catching of tortoises, turtles and lobsters. No. 24/78.(24 April 1978).Catching of turtles in the Male Atoll is banned.Catching E. imbricata of less than 2 ft (61 cm) and of other sea turtlesof less than 2.5 ft (76 cm) is prohibited in any part of the Maldives.The use of spearguns for fishing is prohibited.A regulation of the Ministry of Forestry bans the sale or display for saleof turtles below the size limits specified in Bill 24/78, but this is saidto be rarely enforced (Frazier and Frazier, 1987).No. 31/79. The export of unworlced shell of E. imbricata is prohibited.332