World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

BAHAMASPOPULATION:Chelonia mydasNesting sites Carr et al. (1982) reported nesting at Great Inagua, withthe best nesting beaches on the south-east coast; and at Little Inagua,Abaco, Grand Bahama, Walkers Cay, Long Island, Conception, Bimini, Cat Cay,and Gun Cay. Higgs (1984), however, did not confirm any nest sites in theBahamasNesting numbers Higgs ( in litt. . 21 August 1986) reported nesting in lowabundance. Carr et al. (1982) considered nesting to consist of "smallnumbers" on Great Inagua, "somewhat greater numbers" on Little Inagua, andjust a few individuals in Abaco. Bacon (1981) regarded nesting in theBahamas as frequent.Trends in nesting numbers Higgs in litt. (21 August 1986) considered thenesting population of C. mydas to be stable at present. According to Carret al. (1982), the numbers of nesting turtles, in general, had greatlydecreased during the past 50 years.Nesting season June-September (Carr et al. . 1982).Foraging sites Higgs (1984) reported foraging throughout the BahamaBanks. According to Carr et al. (1982), Green Turtles of all sizes occurredyear round at Great Inagua and were known to congregate in protected shallowwater bays, or "creeks", which were often mangrove bordered. At Andros andAbaco, Carr et al. (1982) reported that juvenile Green Turtles were oftenseen and that at Abaco they occasionally entered saltwater mangrove creeks.Adult Green Turtles were not reported at Andros. Bacon (1981) noted commonforaging in the Bahamas by both adults and juveniles.POPULATION : Kretmochelys imbricataNesting sites Nesting was reported by Carr et al (1982) on Great Inagua(mainly the south-east coast). Little Inagua, Andros, Abaco, Grand Bahama,Walkers Cay, Conception, Bimini, Cat Cay and Gun Cay. No nesting sites wereconfirmed by Higgs (1984).Nesting numbers Higgs in litt. (21 August 1986) reported low abundancenesting. Carr et al. (1982) noted small numbers of Hawksbills nesting onGreat Inagua, greater numbers nesting on Little Inagua, and sparse tomoderate nesting on Andros and Abaco. Bacon (1981) reported frequentnesting in the Bahamas.Trends in nesting numbers Higgs in litt. (21 August 1986) considered thenesting population of E. imbricata to be stable. Carr et al. (1982)reported a considerable decline in the numbers of nesting turtles during thepast 50 years.Nesting season According to Carr et al. (1982) Hawksbills nested allyear round.Foraging sites Higgs (1984) reported foraging all year round on theBahama Banks. Carr et al. (1982) noted the occurrence of Hawksbills allyear round at Great Inagua and the year round presence of juveniles atAndros and Abaco. Bacon (1981) considered foraging to be frequent by adultsand juveniles in the Bahamas.^3