World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

REUKION AND ILESBPARSESREUNIONReunion was an important turtle nesting site, largely or entirely byC. mydas , at the time of human colonisation in the 17th-18th centuries.Large-scale nesting ended in the 19th century; this local extirpation isattributed initially to over-exploitation, and finally to coastaldevelopment and tourism (Bertrand et al , 1986). There appears to have beenno confirmed nesting in more recent years although there are unconfirmedreports from the 1950s-1960s (Bertrand et al . 1986; Bonnet, 1986). Threesets of tracks, apparently made by the same individual, were recorded on28 June 1986 at Etang Sal^ on the south-west coast, but nesting was notcompleted (Bertrand et al , 1986). Both C. mydas and E. imbricata ,particularly juveniles, occur in Reunion waters, notably along reefs butrarely in lagoons.EXPLOITATIONConanodity Only turtle material originating in the ranch ( C. mydas ) maylegally be sold in Reunion. Products sold include meat and liver, fresh,smoked or tinned; jewellery and marquetry fashioned from shell; polishedcarapaces; and more recently, oil (Bonnet in litt . . 22 April 1987). Thereis also some illegal trade in Hawksbill shell jewellery, and lampshades madefrom imported C. mydas shell were also seen on sale in 1987.Historical trends In the early days of French colonisation of Reunion,turtles were exterminated largely by exploitation. Some were used to supplyvisiting ships (Lougnon, 19S8).Domestic trade There is a growing industry on the island based on theproducts of the turtle ranch. Some 25 local artisans are employed in makingjewellery and other shell products. Many restaurants offer turtle meatdishes; one smokehouse is involved in making smoked turtle, and a canningfactory also uses the meat and calipee. A marking system to identify allturtle products derived from the ranch will be put into operation in theevent of receiving CITES approval of the ranch (Bonnet in litt . , 22 April1987). Most turtle products seen on sale in January 1987 bore no Indicationof their origin.International trade Reunion Is an Overseas Department of France, and ItIs therefore covered by France's acceptance of CITES and Included in theEuropean Economic Community (EEC). France held reservations under CITES onC. mydas and E. imbricata but when EEC Regulation 3626/82 came into force on1 January 1984, all the reservations became void. France officiallywithdrew its reservations on 10 December 1984. All trade with MetropolitanFrance is not considered to be international trade, and Is therefore notcovered by CITES controls. Under the terms of EEC Regulation 3626/82, tradebetween countries in the EEC Is also considered to be equivalent to Internaltrade. Trade In Appendix I species Is permitted provided that the animalshave been taken from the wild within the EEC with the approval of thecompetent authorities, and a certificate has been Issued to that effect.This exemption is considered to apply to the products of the ranch onReunion, but the Netherlands, Denmark and F.R. Germany have given noticethat they will refuse to allow the Import of turtle products from Reunion.Since 1 January 1984, no export permits have been Issued for the export ofturtle products outside the EEC, but several certificates have been Issuedto allow their trade within the EEC. Most of the products which leaveReunion have been destined for France (Salvadorl, pers. comm.).435