World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

TUVALUturtles seen at sea or on the rleG^ beach are taken wherever possible. TheTuvalu Fisheries Division regards this exploitation as likely to result inserious depletion of stocks (Pita, 1979d).International trade Tuvalu is not a Party to CITES. CITES AnnualReports contain no record of any trade in turtles involving Tuvalu. FijianCustoms statistics (q.v.) indicate the import of some worked tortoiseshellfrom Tuvalu in 1984 and 1985.LEGISLATIONWildlife Conservation. Cap. 47, 29 May 1975.Capture of turtles on land is prohibited except under licence.Possession of illegally acquired turtle or turtle egg is prohibited.Fisheries Ordinance, Cap. 45, 1 July 1978.Enables closed seasons or closed fishing areas to be declared.Fishing with explosives or poisons is prohibited.Prohibits fishing by foreign vessels except under permit.RANCHING/HATCHERIESPita (1979d) reported that the inhabitants of Niulakita, the most southerlyand isolated island, used to "culture" turtles in two ponds for use intraditional feasts. It is not known whether this refers to any more thansimply holding turtles until they were needed for eating.539