World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

SAUDI ARABIAare also collected (lUCN, 1984). A few sub-adult Hawksbills are reported tobe kept as curiosities in ponds and fountains in Jeddah, where some havesurprisingly survived for over a year (J. P. Ross in litt. . 29 December 1986).Hunting intensity Exploitation levels appear to be minimal, but this mayadd up to significant pressure over the years, and may contribute to thegeneral correlation between low human activity and high turtle nestingactivity. The absence of turtle nesting from Seil Makawa Island wasattributed to the presence of a large fishing camp. The large immigrantlabour force employed at Yanbu Industrial City is said to pose a threat tothe local turtle nesting populations, as some of the expatriates arereported to have been collecting eggs and possibly nesting females (lUCN,1984).Domestic trade There is little, if any, local trade in turtle products,although there are unconfirmed reports that turtle meat may occasionally besold in Jeddah fish market (J. P. Ross in litt. . 29 December 1986).International trade A few stuffed turtles are imported for sale in curioshops. See comments under SAUDI ARABIA: GULF.LEGISLATIONSee under SAUDI ARABIA: GULF.452