STATUS OF MARINE TURTLES IN SOME SELECTED ASIAN COUNTRIES: A REVIEW (original) (raw)
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Biology and conservation of marine turtles in the northwestern Indian Ocean: a review
Endangered Species Research, 2022
The northwestern Indian Ocean hosts globally crucial marine biodiversity, which is relatively understudied. There has, however, been significant research and conservation effort focused on marine turtles across the region in recent decades. We undertook an exhaustive review of 251 relevant publications to extract and collate the current information concerning marine turtles. To ensure completeness, we received input on a preliminary draft from a large group of experts who have worked extensively in the region. Data presented here are from all 13 countries with significant coastlines in the region (Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) on occurrence, nesting biology, morphology, foraging areas, population status, threats, and relevant national legislation and international conservation strategies. The experts independently provided details on what they felt were the (1) most significant threats to ...
All seven species of marine turtles of which four species that occur in the Indian waters have undergone severe population declines. The Maharashtra state, having a 720 km long coastline is among the top few coastal states in India that supports high coastal and marine biodiversity. Many of these sites along this coast have been prioritized for conservation action. We carried out a survey to assess the sea turtle nesting beaches and collect information on the near shore turtle habitats along the 120 km long Sindhudurg coastline along Southern Maharashtra. Three sites along this coast: Devgad, Vengurla, Malvan have been prioritized for immediate conservation action. Out of 27 identified nesting beaches only 13 beaches exhibited sporadic nesting of Vulnerable Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Endangered Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Critically Endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) are regularly seen in the near shore waters, this has been reported through questionnaire survey of the local fishermen. Our study indicates that turtles probably congregate in select areas off the Sindhudurg coast during a certain time of the year for feeding or resting during which they are likely vulnerable to near shore trawling or to gill net fishing. Keywords: Marine turtle, Sporadic nesting, Olive ridley, Vulnerable, Critically endangered
Sea Turtles and their Nesting Habitats in Gujarat
Four species of sea turtles—olive ridley turtles, green turtles, leatherback turtles and hawksbill turtles—are found in the waters off Gujarat, but only the first two are known to nest along its coast (Bhaskar 1978, 1984, Kar and Bhaskar 1982). Only a few studies have reported possible nesting sites and status, threats such as egg depredation and sand mining, and killing of turtles for oil and flippers (Frazier 1980); no detailed, recent information is available. Apart from Bhaskar’s early work, some notes on an international tag return (Firdous 1991), necropsies from stranded animals (Frazier 1989), and some unpublished reports by Trivedi,1 little information on sea turtles has been recorded from Gujarat.
Mendonca, V.M., Al-Kiyumi, A.A., Al-Saady, S.M., Grobler, H.J., Erzini, K., Bait Said, A.S., and Al-Rasbiy, A. 2001. Environment of the nesting and feeding grounds for endangered turtle species in Dhofar (Southern Oman). In Claereboudt, M., Goddard, S., Al-Oufi, H., and McIlwain, J. eds. Proc. 1st International Conference on Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment in the NW Indian Ocean, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, pp. 151-159. ABSTRACT: The coastal line of the Dhofar Region is about 400 km long, with sandy beaches intercalated by rocky shore. Some sandy beaches are several kilometres long, and human disturbance is limited to artisanal fishery activities. On the other hand, the seasonal monsoon makes these waters very rich in biodiversity. Therefore, the region provides good nesting and feeding grounds for sea turtles. From November 1999 to October 2000, field observations were carried out, on an opportunistic schedule. Turtle nesting activities, and threats to turtle eggs and hatchlings by natural predators and human disturbance were registered. At least two turtle species nest on the area: green turtles Chelonia mydas and loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta. Two short but distinct nesting seasons have been identified: one during the Khareef (Monsoon) and another in late winter - early spring. Fresh tracks of both turtle species were observed on both seasons, and in October 2000, both species were observed on a feeding ground of seagrass around Hino Island. The major predators of turtle eggs were feral dogs around the Salalah Port, and foxes Vulpes spp. and ghost crabs Ocypode spp. elsewhere. Seabirds are the major predators of turtle hatchlings all over the region, especially on the islands. Hino Island holds a nesting population of sooty gulls Larus hemprichii, and the Al Hallaniyat Islands hold colonies of masked boobies Sula dactylatra and Socotra cormorants Phalacrocorax nigrogularis. The green turtle is still harvested for meat on Al Hallaniyat Islands.
Identification of Important Sea Turtle Areas (ITAs) for hawksbill turtles in the Arabian Region
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2014
We present the first data on hawksbill turtle post-nesting migrations and behaviour in the Arabian region. Tracks from 90 post-nesting turtles (65 in the Gulf and 25 from Oman) revealed that hawksbills in the Arabian region may nest up to 6 times in a season with an average of 3 nests per turtle. Turtles from Qatar, Iran and the UAE generally migrated south and southwest to waters shared by the UAE and Qatar. A smaller number of turtles migrated northward towards Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and one reached Kuwait. Omani turtles migrated south towards Masirah island and to Quwayrah, staying close to the mainland and over the continental shelf. The widespread dispersal of hawksbill foraging grounds across the SW Gulf may limit habitat protection options available to managers, and we suggest these be linked to preservation of shallow water habitats and fishery management. In contrast, the two main foraging areas in Oman were small and could be candidates for protected area consideration. Critical migration bottlenecks were identified at the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula as turtles from Daymaniyat Islands migrate southward, and between Qatar and Bahrain. Overall, Gulf turtles spent 68% of the time in foraging ground with home ranges of 40-60 km 2 and small core areas of 6 km 2 . Adult female turtles from Oman were significantly larger than Gulf turtles by~11 cm x ¼ 81:4 CCL ð Þ and spent 83% of their time foraging in smaller home ranges with even smaller core areas (~3 km 2 ), likely due to better habitat quality and food availability. Gulf turtles were among the smallest in the world x ¼ 70:3 CCL ð Þ and spent an average of 20% of time undertaking summer migration loops, a thermoregulatory response to avoid elevated sea surface temperatures, as the Gulf regularly experiences sustained sea surface temperatures N 30°C. Fishery bycatch was determined for two of the 90 turtles. These spatio-temporal findings on habitat use will enable risk assessments for turtles in the face of multiple threats including oil and gas industries, urban and industrial development, fishery pressure, and shipping. They also improve our overall understanding of hawksbill habitat use and behaviour in the Arabian region, and will support sea turtle conservation-related policy decision-making at national and regional levels.