World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

ARUBAPOPULATION:Chelonia mydasNesting sites C. mydas is not thought to nest on Aruba (Van Buurt,1984a).Foraging sites Van Buurt (1984a) reported turtle grass beds off thesouth coast of Aruba, but had no evidence of any turtles foraging in thearea.POPULATION: Eretmochelys imbricataNesting sites Van Buurt (1984a) reported possible nesting at variousbays on the north coast. There is no information on the numbers, the seasonor any foraging sites.THREATSVan Buurt (1984a) mentioned that tourist development along the southern andwestern beaches made it virtually impossible for turtles to nest there,although he had no evidence that they had ever done so.EXPLOITATIONThere is no information on the local exploitation of turtles on Aruba, butsome turtle meat landed by Venezuelan fishermen is said to be sold on theisland (J. Sybesma in litt. . 30 March 1987).International trade Aruba is not a Party to CITES. It becameindependent from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. Any international tradebefore that date is discussed in the Netherlands Antilles (Leeward Islands)account.LEGISLATIONEilandsverordening 1980, Management of the marine environment.All turtle nests and eggs are protected. Spearfishing is prohibited.69