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2nd
ASEAN Symposium and Workshop on
Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation
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SESSION
2: Nesting and Foraging Populations
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ABSTRACTS
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Serious
declines of nesting populations of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys
imbricata) in the Java Sea, Indonesia
Hiroyuki Suganuma1
Akil Yusuf2, Shinich Tanaka3, Naoki Kamezaki3
Some 30 hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys
imbricata) rookeries are known in the Java Sea region so far, however
the recent population status were poorly documented. From 1995 through
1998, we conducted nesting beach surveys at 17 of these rookeries, and
counted body pits and clutches of hawksbill turtles. As a result, serious
declines in the nesting activity are over last 10-15 years were recognized.
The overall regional decline was estimated to be about 70 %, and the maximum
decline rate at a single rookery was 91 %.
These declines have been driven by
the following factors: (1) export of numerous raw shells (bekko) and stuffed
turtles to Japan until 1991, (2) increase in human population and coastal
development of the islands, (3) increase the numbers of eggs collected
by local people with rising the economic value.
Most of these rookeries are already
on verge of extinction. If the egg collections are allowed to continue
on present status, the hawksbill turtles in this region will disappear
in near future. It is highly needed to prepare a conservation strategy
for hawksbill turtles in the Java Sea. And it should be immediately involved
to conduct the specific action for conserving their populations.
1Marine Environmental
Association of Tokyo Yurakucho Bldg. 708, Yurakucho 1-10-1, Chiyodaku,
Tokyo, Japan 100-0006 e-mail; penyu@ma3.justnet.ne.jp or hsuga@mtg.biglobe.ne.jp
2Indonesia Sea
Turtle Research Center, 3Sea Turtle Association of Japan
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