World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

YEMEN, ARAB REPUBLICPOPULATIONFour sea turtle species, including; Ch elonia mydas and Eretmochelysi mbr ic ata , have been observed in waters of the Yemen Arab Republic (Walczak,1979). Green Turtles are most commonly observed or accidentally caught, andaccount for most turtle remains washed up ashore; the Hawksbill is thesecond most abundant species (Walczak., 1979).Sea turtles are widely distributed in YAR waters, including the Ras Katibarea, reefs around Dicno Gulf in Kamaran Bay, Rhisa, and Kadaman ZaghirIsland. A large group of turtles, possibly a mating aggregation, wasreportedly encountered in Isa Bay one February (Walczak, 1979).Most nesting appears to occur on the uninhabited low coral islands 3-30 kmoff shore; there may be important nest areas on Zugar and in the HanishArchipelago, these being uninhabited volcanic islands in the south of theYAR coast (Walczak, 1979). Ross was informed (cited in Ross and Barwani,1982) that turtles of three species nest "in large numbers" on Kamaran. Arecent survey (L. Barratt, TMRU, in litt . , 16 April 1987) recorded noevidence of nesting, no individuals of E. imbricata , seven C. mydas , andmany carapace remains; many offshore islands were not examined.There is abundant coral reef habitat (where Hawksbills are often seen)around the island groups, and extensive seagrass pastures (suitable forGreen Turtles) in the Ras Katib-Khor Katib area, in Isa Bay, and probably inKamaran Bay and Khor Gulaifiga (Walczak, 1979).EXPLOITATIONCommodity The meat of turtles, although eaten, is not in great demand inthe YAR but, in contrast, the eggs are highly esteemed and are reputed tohave aphrodisiac properties. Only female turtles are eaten and, in keepingwith Muslim tradition, turtles found dead in fishing nets are not consumed(Walczak, 1979).Hunting intensity Walczak (1979) reported that there was much evidenceof nest disturbance for egg collection on some of the offshore islands.International trade CITES Annual Reports reveal no trade in sea turtleproducts involving YAR.LEGISLATIONTurtles are not protected in the YAR (Walczak, 1979)563