World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

TUVALUPOPULATION:Chelonia mydasNesting sites The Green Turtle is reportedly the most common sea turtlein Tuvalu, and the turtles nesting on Funafuti atoll and other unspecifiedislands in the group may be presumed to be mainly this species (Pita,1979d) . No detailed information is available.Nesting numbers No information is available; there is no indication thatlarge numbers nest. Some 20-30 turtles monthly are caught by fishermen onthree of the outer islands; it is not clear whether there are nesting orforaging turtles (nor is it clear whether the catch figure applies to eachisland or to all collectively; the latter appears to be the case).Foraging sites According to Pita (1979d), C. mydas is often seen feedingon "weed" in lagoon shallows in Tuvalu atolls, and is also seen near reefson the seaward perimeter; no data are available on sites of particularimportancePOPULATION : Eretmochelys imbricataPita (1979d) reported that the Hawksbill is very rare in Tuvalu, and oftenof small size. It is seen feeding on molluscs and other "small animals" inreef areas. No information is available on nesting; it is seemingly verysporadicTHREATSBalazs (1982c) cited reports that a tropical cyclone in 1972 deposited an18 Icm-long rampart of coral rubble along the south-east outer reef ofFunafuti and suggested that the impact on nesting turtles was likely to besubstantial. See "Historical trends" in Exploitation, below.EXPLOITATIONConmodity Turtle meat and eggs have long been a favoured food in Tuvalu,and have featured in ceremonial feasts. Consumption of turtle meat in thecapital has declined, but they are still an important food item in theoutlying islands. The shell [presumably of E. imbricata ] was used formaking fishing "lures" [= hooks?] (Pita, 1979d)Hunting intensity Turtles are actively hunted in the outer islands, andevery turtle seen in the lagoons or coming ashore to nest is usuallycaptured. About 20-30 are captured a month. Some turtle hunting takesplace around Funafuti, and Pita (1979d) reported that at times people "evencollect all the eggs laid".Hunting methods Traditional hunting methods include the use of specialnets and diving from canoes. Turtles were also turned on the nestingbeaches. Spearing turtles is a growing practice on Funafuti. When eggswere collected and brought back to the village, there is said to have been acustom of burying some in the beach to allow them to hatch (Pita, 1979d).Historical trends Although turtles were an "exceptionally favoured" foodin pre European times, the availability of refrigeration facilities andimported foods, particularly in the capital Funafuti, has greatly reducedthe use of turtle meat. However, in the outer islands it appears that all538