TITLE:
Eretmochelys imbricata: Lessons to Learn from a Monitoring Program in the North of Mozambique
AUTHORS:
Rita Anastácio, Cardoso Lopes, Jorge Ferrão, Mário Jorge Pereira
KEYWORDS:
Eretmochelys imbricata, Nesting Parameters, Mozambique Channel (MZC), Network of Marine Reserves
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.8 No.5,
May
27,
2017
ABSTRACT: Monitoring programs for nesting turtles around the world have been important to build up a matrix of information for better comprehension of their behaviour and dispersion. The Western Indian Ocean has several monitoring programs that are being used to reveal migration routes, phylogenetic interconnections and nesting behaviour patterns. We determined the nesting parameters for 69 records of hawksbill turtles collected during the Vamizi Island monitoring program. We also determined carapace measurements parameters of the turtles caught by fishermen in the area and give some considerations to improve the conservation of this species. Results show that the island receives hawksbill females all year long. Vamizi is a small nesting ground for this species, with an incubation period of 60.9 ± 10.6 days and a high reproductive rate. The turtles’ carapace measurements (SCL 42.0 ± SD 9.0 cm) revealed the existence of young individuals, foraging near the island, and their vulnerability to the fishing practices. This study strongly defends the need to identify more developmental and nesting spots, to be protected near Vamizi, to establish a solid network of marine reserves and corridors in the north of the Mozambique Channel.