World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

HAHTINIQUEPOPULATION :Chelonia mydasNesting sites C. mydas nests on several beaches around Martinique, butis most numerous in the south-east (Dropsy, 1987); no nesting was reportedduring earlier surveys (Carr et al ,1982).Nesting season Nesting occurs from May to November with a peak, fromAugust to September (Dropsy, 1987).Foraging sites Green Turtles were the most common species around theisland. Extensive reefs and sheltered waters along the southern two-thirdsof the east coast provided important foraging habitat (Carr et al ,1982).Bacon (1981) reported the regular occurrence of foraging adults of thespecies. There were no reports of juveniles foraging.Migration According to Carr et al (1982), local people believed thatthe Green Turtles around Martinique migrated to Aves Island to nest. Carret al. (1982) also reported the recovery around Martinique of tags from oneGreen Turtle that was tagged at Tortuguero, Costa Rica, and from three thatwere tagged at Aves Island. However, Pritchard (1980) cautioned that theturtles might have been illegally caught on Aves Island itself, thefishermen having concealed the true locality.Nesting numbers An estimated 56-76 nests were made per year in 1985 and1986 (Dropsy, 1987); this could represent some 20 females.POPULATION : Eretmochelys imbrlcataNesting sites Carr et al (1982) recorded nesting at Loup Garou,Macabou, Bay D'Anglals, Polnte des Salines and Ilet 4 Madame. Fretey(198Ac) reported possible nesting at Sainte Philomene and Anse Couleuse.Nesting numbers Together with the Leatherback, Hawksbills were thepredominant nesting turtles (Carr et al . 1982), and nesting was said to befrequent (Bacon, 1981). Dropsy (1987) estimated that 2A5-375 nests a yearare made; this could represent some 75-125 females.Nesting season Nesting occurs from May to October with a peak from Juneto September (Dropsy, 1987).Foraging sites Important foraging habitat was found along the southerntwo-thirds of the east coast (Carr et al. . 1982), and foraging adultsoccurred frequently (Bacon (1981).EXPLOITATIONConmodity The meat and eggs of both Green Turtles and Hawksbills weresaid to be consumed locally. Income was derived from the sale of shells,jewellery and stuffed turtles (Carr et al , 1982). Turtle meat is said tobe prized because of its rarity and certain products (eggs, tail, shell) arestill valued as aphrodisiacs (Dropsy, 1987).Hunting intensity The level of exploitation was considered by Carret al. (1982) to be higher in Martinique than anywhere else in the LesserAntilles. Fisheries statistics showed annual catches of 20-40 tonnes (allspecies, whole turtle weights) for the period 1959-1976 (Carr et al.,335