Marine Turtle Newsletter

Number 39 December 1986

Editor: Nat B, Frazer Editorial Advisors:

Department of Biology Peter C. H. Pritchard Mercer University Anders 0. J. Rhodin 1400 Coleman Avenue Harold F, Hirth Macon, GA 31207 USA N. Mrosovsky

FIBROPAPILLOMAS IN HAWAIIAN GREEN TURTLES

[This note is based on a presentation given by the author at the 6th Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation in Waverly. GA, USA. A presentation by Lew Ehrhart covering tumors in green turtles in cast Florida was given during the same session.]

Neoplasms identified by the Registry of Tumors in lower Animals (RTLA) as fibropapillomas are being commonly found on green turtles in the Hawaiian Islands. Up to 10% of the nesting females tagged each year at the principal breeding colony of French Frigate Shoals have these epithelia] growths ranging from a few millimeters to 30 cm in diameter. They most frequently occur on the neck, eyes, nippers, jaw, tail and sometimes even in the mouth. In Hawaii, fibropapillomas have been recorded in turtles as small as 45 cm juveniles to adult males and females over 85 cm. However, none have been found in turtles 35-45 cm, the minimum size range at which recruitment to the benthic habitat takes place in Hawaii,

During 1985, 35% of the 51 stranded green turtles examined throughout Hawaii had fibropapillomas. Local divers and fishermen regularly report seeing afflicted turtles in coastal foraging pastures and underwater sleeping areas. Such sightings are believed to have increased considerably over the past 20 years.

Fibropapillomas in green turtles were first described nearly 50 years ago by Smith and Coates (1938). At that time, 3 out of 200 green turtles (27 to 91 kg) examined at Key West, Florida (USA) had fibropapillomas . During the same year, Lucke (1937/38) mentioned that green turtles in the Dry Tortugas “not infrequently suffer from papillomatous neoplasms which may attain so great a size as seriously to interfere with their locomotion.” Hendrickson (1958) stated that "occasional" green turtles nesting in Sarawak, Malaysia had ulcerated fibromas on their “throat and neck.” Since the RTLA began accepting specimens in 1965 (Harshbarger 1974), fibropapillomas from green turtles have been verified from the Florida Keys ( RTLA Accession Nos. 12 and 651). Hawaii (RTLA 121, 1767, 1774, 1856, 1883, 2097, and 3572), and the Cayman Turtle Farm ( RTLA 3099 ). Jacobson ( 1981 ) reported

that a “slowly increasing incidence of papillomatosis" was being studied in a breeding group of green turtles at the Cayman Form. These growths were first noted In wild captured adults but later developed in farm reared turtles. According to Jim Wood. the problem no longer exists, although several juvenile turtles released from the farm were recaptured a year or two later and found to have growths. In east central Florida, immature green turtles have been reported by Lew Ehrhart to show a high incidence of these fibrous growths during recent years where none had been seen since tagging studies began there in 1977. Pat Wells, working in the Florida Keys, has found similar growths on five of nine stranded green turtles handled during the first 3 months or 1986. Previously, only two cases had bean reported out of six strandings of green turtles seen since 1982.

Thus far, the green turtle is the only sea turtle that has bean documented to have fibropapillomas. although Jack Frazier and Tom Fritts have seen what were believed to be these growths in olive ridleys in the eastern Pacific.

Flbropapillomas In Hawaiian green turtles can result in reduced vision, disorientation, blindness, physical obstruction to normal swimming and feeding, and an apparent Increased susceptibility to parasitism by the marine leech, Ozobranchus branchiatus. Observations in Hawaii also suggest that fibropapillomas can cause severe emaciation, increased predation by tiger sharks and humans, and probably a reduced ability to migrate and breed successfully. Entanglement in fishing line and other gear also appears to be more likely In afflicted turtles.

The etiology of fibropapillomas In green turtles remains unknown. Possible causes suggested in the literature include an immune response to trematode ova, secretion of hirudin by marine leeches, viruses, excessive solar radiation, chemical pollutants that Impair the Immune system, stress, and a genetic predisposition to neoplasia. Biopsy material from fibropapillomas on two Hawaiian green turtles was sent to the RTLA for electron microcopy, but no virus was found.

John Harshbarger of the RTLA believes that the only substantive evidence for any of the suggested causes is the consistent presence of ova from digenetic blood flukes (Family Spirochidae) within the fibrotic portion of the lesions. Smith and Coates ( 1939 ) originally reported ova in over half of the 250 fibropapillomas examined from at least six turtles. At least 7 of the 10 RTLA cases contain ova ( RTLA 12, 121, 1767, 1774, 2097, 3099, and 3572 ), Including specimens from Florida, Hawaii, and the Cayman Turtle Farm. Turtles from the latter source were heavily infested with the cardiovascular fluke. Learedius learedi (Greiner et al., 1980) and some or their shed ova had lodged in dermal capillaries (Jacobson 1981). The gradual increase in the incidence of fibropapillomas in captive animals suggested an infective process. In histological sections, the ova generally appear as oval, yellowish/brown, acellular capsules containing undifferentiated cells. Host response consists of a capsule of epithelloid macrophages surrounded by fibrosis. If trematode ova are In fact the etiologic agents, then the lesions represent a nonneoplastic host response, characterized by an exuberant, cutaneous, foreign body fibrosis associated with pappillary epidermal hyperplasia (John Harshbarger, pers. comm.).

The growth rate of fibropapillomas has been documented in two Hawaiian green turtles. A nesting female with no signs or neoplasia when first seen was recovered 3 years later in an emaciated state with a large (10 X 20 cm) fibropapilloma along the dorsal base of its tail. Another apparently healthy tagged turtle, an adult male, had numerous growths, Including a 10 cm diameter mass In the axilla, when seen again just 2 years later. The fact that relatively small turtles in Hawaii can be heavily infested with fibropapillomas indicates that growth can occur fairly fast under certain conditions.

The experimental treatment or fibropapillomas in Hawaii has included surgical removal and strangulation. Neither procedure proved satisfactory due to the large number of growths often present. their highly vascular nature when large, and the apparent presence or nerve bundles that transmit pain. especially in growths associated with the eyes. There is no evidence to suggest that fibropapillomas in

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Hawaiian turtles may cease or diminish spontaneously.

The Hawaiian population of green turtles is geographically isolated and relatively small, with only a few hundred ferules nesting annually at French Frigate Shoals. A recovery team has recently been appointed to formulate a plan to rehabilitate the population. The occurrence of fibropapillomas is viewed as one of several problem that urgently need to he addressed through additional research. In general, the problem of disease is an area in which basic data are frequently lacking and more attention is needed for the development of effective management plans. Workers are therefore encouraged to document any occurrence of neoplasia found in sea turtle populations by submitting preserved tissue to the RTLA, The Smithsonian Institution, Room W216, Washington. DC 20560 USA.

Greiner, E. C., D. J. Forrester and E. R. Jacobson. 1980. Helminths of mariculture-reared green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Grand Cayman, British West Indies. Proc. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. 47:142-144. Harshbarger, J. C. 1974. Activities report: registry of tumors in lower animals. 1965-73; 1974-1980. Supplements, Smithsonian Institution. Washington, DC. Hendrickson. J. R. 1958. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Malay and Sarawak. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 130:456-566. Jacobson, E. R. 1981. Virus associated neoplasms of reptiles. ln C. J. Dawe at al. (Eds.) Phyletic approaches to cancer, p. 563-58. Jpn. Sci. Soc. Press, Tokyo. Lucke, B. 1937/38. Studies on tumors in cold-blooded vertebrates, Annu. Rep. Tortugas Lab., Carnegie Inst. Wash. 1937/38. p. 92-94. Smith, G. M. and C. W. Coates. 1938. Fibro-epithelial growths of the skin in large marine turtles, Chelonia mydas (Linneaus). Zoologica (N.Y.) 23(4):93-98. Smith, G. M. and C. W. Coates. 1939. The occurrence of trematode ova Hapalotrema constridctum, (Leared), in fibro-epithelial tumors or the marine turtle Chelonia mydas (Linneaus). Zoologica 24:379-382. plus plates I-IV.

GEORGE H. BALAZS, Southwest Fisheries Canter, Honolulu Laboratory. National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA, Honolulu. HI 96822-2396 USA.

NESTING ATTEMPTS OF CHELONIA MYDAS AT REUNION ISLAND (S. W. INDIAN OCEAN)

On the morning or 28 June 1986 marine turtle tracks were discovered on a beach of black sand on the southwest coast of Réunion Island (at Etang Salé). These tracks, three in number, were identified as having been made by the same Individual green turtle. Chelonia mydas (track width 1.20 m). The three tracks were a few dozen meters apart, with:

- in one of the cases. a very straight line which included an attempt at digging a nest (probably stopped because or a stump); - a U-shaped route for the second track, also including a deeper digging covering a larger distance (5m); - a third and longer track (ca. 50m), with 2 digging attempts about 30m apart, less pronounced than the others and situated at the root of the cliff overlooking the beach.

None or these attempts sum to have resulted in the laying or eggs or even in the digging of a complete nest cavity.

The site is a beach of volcanic origin widely open to the ocean for nearly one km, gently sloping for about 20m and overlooked by a cliff of sedimentary rocky 2 or 3m high. It is separated from areas

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of permanent human activities (villages, roads) by a deep band of trees several hundred meters in width. Owing to these characteristics, this beach represents a unique site for Réunion Island and one which is visited by only a few fishermen.

Refering to the biological context for the species, this turtle came ashore during the winter period (water temperature 24.5ºC, which does not correspond to the nesting period characteristic of the green turtle on other sites located at the same Iatitude (21º 5’ S) in the area. Besides, it is curious to note that no later coming ashore resulting in a laying of eggs was noticed during the days which followed the above siting.

Although young and adult green turtles have been sighted regularly in the coastal waters of the Island, the discovery or these tracks Is an exceptional event In recent times. Since the accounts of travels in the 17th and 18th centuries (in Lougnon 1958), a period during which Reunion Island was still a very important site for marine turtle nesting in the Mascarene Islands, there have been no formal reports or turtles coming ashore. The last reports of such activity, which were never confirmed, date back to the 1950's-1960's. The fact that turtles deserted the beaches of Réunion Island in the 19th century was initially linked to the exploitation of the green turtle throughout the centuries and became more acute as a result of increase In the human population, the urbanization of the coast and the development of tourism on these beaches. A similar situation exists in Mauritius where the last scientific report of nesting dates back to 1977 (Thompson 1981).

The coming ashore of a green turtle on Reunion Island justifies special scientific attention and should be an incentive to take steps to preserve one of the only sites likely to contribute to the return of Chelonia mydas to nest at Réunion Island.

Lougnon. A. 1958. Sous le signe de la tortue. Voyages anciens à Iîle Bourbon (1611-1725). Larose ed., Paris. 199 pp. Thompson. K. 1981. Nesting of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus) 1758, in Mauritius. Revue Agricole et Sucrière de l’ille Maurice 60:125-130.

J. BERTRAND, IFREMER, Délégation de la Réunion, BP6097420 Le Port (Ile de la Réunion), FRANCE B. BONNET, Laboratoire D’Ecophysiologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de la Réunion. BP5. 97490 Sainte-Clotilde (Ile de la Réunion), FRANCE, and G. LEBRUN, Société Bourbonnaise d’Aquaculture, BP 40, 97436 Saint-Leu (Ile de Ia Réunion). FRANCE.

THE STATUS OF MARINE TURTLES IN SENEGAL [This article was translated from the French with the kind assistance of Denise Volkoff. Any errors of interpretation or fact are those of the Editor. who accepts sole responsibility. NBF]

For a long time, pioneers of research in this region (e.g., people like Cadenat, Villiers, Blanc, Doutre, Dekeyser, Maigret, etc.) accumulated precious data relating to the status of marine turtles. But since then, no further developments haw occurred. Today, thanks to the creation or the National Parks in littoral and marine areas, which allows for the constant monitoring of areas favorable to the presence and reproduction of marine turtles, our knowledge of these species has been noticeably enriched. Observations have been made by people walking on the beaches day and night, by others in boats on the high seas, and also from airplanes and helicopters which allows the tracks of turtles having come ashore to he discovered as early as dawn. For ten days surveys were made with the help of IFAN and IUCN-WWF. The results obtained are presented below, Five species have been formally identified as frequenting the beaches of Senegal in order to reproduce.

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A. Green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linne): Tortue verte or Tortue franche

Generally vegetarian, weighing up to 450 kg. The most common turtle throughout the year in the waters along the coast of Senegal, the green turtle is more abundant where they are important sea grass beds. This species is much appreciated by fishermen for its meat and fat, but also for its eggs. For this reason it is in evident decline In Senegal as well as in tropical seas throughout the world. Turtle soup and a fascination with the turtle shells lead people to exploit the natural populations excessively. In addition, reproduction seems more and more threatened by marine pollution and by beach development, which prevents or severely disrupts the nesting.

According to an inquiry made in 1977 by the Curator of Langue de Barbarie National Park, situated at the mouth or the Senegal River, the capture of marine turtles Increases in this region beginning with the onset of the dry season. The drought in the Sahel causes an increase in meat prices in the town markets so that the coastal people turn to the turtles In order to meet their needs.

Thanks to the parks along the shores (particularly those of the Langue de Barbarie, the Delta of Saloum, the Kalissaye Reserve) a small population of green turtles may now survive and reproduce in Senegal. In spite of the fact that the species Is partially migratory or at least wandering, the time of reproduction has been determined as lasting from January to March and from July to October. In 1985, the largest number of nests were found at Sangomar Point as well as on the little island of sand in Saloum Delta Notional Park.

B. Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (Linné): Tortue à écailles or Tortue tuillée

Carnivorous, frequenting shallow waters and mangroves. This sedentary turtle is much sought for by both fishermen and tourists, and was the least often seen in our investigation. Its rarity probably is linked to overexploitation. It is present in the littoral areas in Senegal with the greatest numbers occurring to the south of MBour. No formal observation of nesting was made in our study zone zones. Hawksbills are the smallest of our marine turtles. The measurements given have always been less then a meter, for a weight of about 100 kg for the largest specimen.

C. Loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta caretta (Linné) -- Tortue caouannne or Tortue jaune

Generally carnivorous and wondering. This yellow turtle Is relatively common In pelagic areas and on the coast and is clearly a carnivore. Its Iarge size (more than a meter, for a weight of 400-500 kg) and its obvious coloring render it easily recognized. It Is this species in particular that the fishermen catch sight of during their excursions at the level of Daker far into the sea. Less dependent on the littoral grasses because it feeds fish, it Is more pelagic than the species mentioned previously. Reproduction was observed several times by Cadenat in the Almadies in 1949, and more recently in Langue de Barbarie National Park in January 1982, on the Island of Téréma in Saloum Delta National and also on certain small islands of the Kalissaye Reserve in March 1984. One nest went to term at the Ile of Madeleine National Park on 19 October 1977, yielding 50 hatchlings. The species generally nests from the beginning of the rainy season (July) until October or later. Hatching may occur even into February and March. The species survives better than the green turtle because its meat is little appreciated; however, there is still an active trade in loggerhead shells.

D. Olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz) 1829: Tortue olive or Tortue de rochas

Probably omnivorous, with a tendency to eat shellfish. This species seems particular to specific regions. This is the nominal form which frequents our coast. The olive turtle frequents most often the shallow waters of the coast and the estuaries, remaining on the bottom. It is present at the extremity of Sangomar Point. Its high relative frequency may be explained by the fact that its flesh is little appreciated by the people of the coast, and the peculiar profile and small size of its shell lead to reduced

Table 1. Observations on Marine Turtles In Senegal

Date Place Species Observations

1981 Kalissaye Ornithological Chelonia mydas 16 nests Reserve

1 June 1985 Isle of Birds (Saloum C. mydas 3 strandings Delta Natl. Park)

10 May 1984 Kalissaye Ornithological Eretmochelys 1 turtle Reserve imbricata

1984/85 Kalissaye Ornithological E. imbricata Several tracks Reserve

22 June 1978 South of Saloum Delta Dermochelys 7 nests (at the entrance of coriacea Bolon de Djinack)

13-28 Jul. and In the north of the D. coriacea 4 nests 12 Aug. 1980 Delta de la Casamance

25 Sept. 1985 Sangomar Point D. coriacea several eggs - turtle photographed and released

1984/85 Sangomar Point D. coriacea 1 stranding

27 Jun. 1985 Sangomar Point ????? 1 nest, several eggs

27 Jul. 1985 Sangomar Point ????? 2 nests, eggs not found

29 Jul. 1985 Iles aus Boeufs ????? 4 nests. several eggs (87 eggs eaten by a Nile monitor lizard)

29 Jul. 1985 Iles aux Oiseaux ????? 5 nests several eggs

30 Jul. 1985 Iles Lébar ????? 7 sites, no eggs or nests located

7 Aug. 1985 Iles Lébar ????? 1 nest, several eggs

7 Aug. 1985 Iles aux Oisseaux ????? 2 sites, neither had eggs

2 Sept. 1985 Sangomar Point ????? several eggs

7 Sept. 1985 Sangomar Point ????? 1 site, several eggs

11 Sept. 1985 Sangomar Point ????? 1 nest. several eggs

1 Nov. 1985 Sangomar Point ????? 1 nest, several eggs

6 demand by the tourists and tradesmen. Since attention has been attracted to this species (in particular by our colleague J. Maigret), its status is better known and it is in fact common in the littoral zone.

E. Leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (Linné): Tuortue luth or Tortue cuir

The leatherback is the largest of all since its weight may surpass 600 kg and its size approach 2.5 m. It is frequent in the waters of Senegal in the regions of Sangomar and Salourn, and equally on the Langue de Barbarie. This strictly pelagic animal Is above all an eater of jellyfish medusea and comes to the coast only at the time of reproduction. Nesting or nests are rarely observed in Senegal. A nest was observed at the extremity of Sangomar in Djifére in August 1979, and also in February 1962 at Palmarin. On 11 March 1963, some 50 baby turtles were counted at Palmarin. Since 1977, leatherbacks have only been observed at sea, but the capture in Joal of a "marine monster." the stranding of an adult leatherback in Langue do Barbarie National Park and of another one in Kalissaye in Bird Island in Salourn Delta National Park and at Sangomar Point by Kayar and Hann during this last year witness its regular presence in our waters. Finally, a female in the process of laying on Sangamor Point in 1955 was photographed, illustrating that the sector may still be privileged by visits of this rare species. The laying of 180 eggs, their hatching, and the observation of the babies going to the sea was a success, joy and comfort for all the conservationists. Other nestings have been indicated in recent year (see Table 1, previous page).

The very serious threat which is directed toward this species comes from marine pollution and disposal at sea or plastics which are Ingested bythe turtle, mistaking them for the jellyfish that are Its natural prey. Humans generally capture leatherbacks only by accidental netting, since its meat is little valued or even rejected since It is considered almost venomous. However, there remains the problem of consumption of eggs, which are very much sought by the natives on the shore.

In conclusion to the analysis of the threatened marine turtles. it remains urgent that the laws aiming to protect them be strictly applied in Senegal, particularly regarding the sale of their shells. It is worthy of note that a minimum of 200 nestings were observed on the coast in the 1950's, about 10 per year were seen In years after 1950. About 20 were observed in 1985.

Brief Bibliography

Brongersma, L. D. 1968. Notes upon some turtles from the canary Islands and from Madeira. Koninkl. Nederl. Akademic van Weltenschappen. Amsterdam. Proceedings, Series C, 71(2)128-136. Pritchard, P. C. H. 1967. Living Turtles of the World. TFH Publications. Bustard, R. 1972. Son Turtles: Their Natural History and Conservation. Collins. London. Cadenat, J. 1949. Notes sue les tortues marines des cotes du Sénégal. Bull. IFAN 11 (1 & 2):16-35. Maigret, J. 1975. Notes faunistiques I. Les tortues do Banc d’Arguin. Bull. Labo. Peches, Nouadhibou No. 4, December 1975:116-1 18. Maigret, J. 1977. Les tortues de mer du Sénégall. Bull. Ass. Avanc. Sc. Nat. Sénégal. 59, October 1977:7-14 + 2 Fig. Maigret, J. 1978. Sea turtles nesting on the coast of Sengal. MTN 8:4. Maigret, J. 1983. Répertition des tortues de mer sur les cotes ouest African Museé 0céangraphique, 3 July 1983. Villiers, A. 1958. Tortues et crocodiles de I'Afrique noire française IFAN. Initiation Africaines X V 1958. Villiers, A. 1978. Tortues et crocodiles de I'Afrique noire française. Africaines, No. 5, IFAN. Dakar.

A. R. DUPUY. Service des Parcs Nationaux, Ministere de Is Protection de la Nature. REPUBLIQUE DE SENEGAL.

7 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHITE SPOT ON LEATHERBACK EGGS

Early development in freshly laid turtle eggs results in the vitelline membrane rising to the uppermost portion of the egg and adhering to the inner shell membrane. This adherence is marked by the appearance of an opaque chalky spot on the upper surface of the egg shell (Yntema 1964. 1979; Ewert 1979; Blanck and Sawyer 1981). The chalky spot will enlarge to envelope the entire shell surface as development progresses. The first appearance of the white spot has frequently been reported to occur within a day or less after laying ( Yntema 1964, 1979; Blanck and Sawyer 1981 ). Ewert (1979) reported that the white spot will appear in eggs between a few hours to 3 days old. Observations on eggs taken from 4 leatherback clutches laid between 20 and 31 July 1986 and subsequently held in styrofoam boxes at temperatures of 28-29ºC revealed that the white spot begins to appear faintly on some of the eggs on the fourth day after laying and by day 5, all fertile eggs would have developed white spots. As the white spot envelopes the entire shell surface (ie., at about 20 days), the egg becomes turgid. Eggs which have not developed the white spot by day 5 subsequently remained flaccid with a pinkish-beige color. It Is Interesting to note that the white spot appears much later in leatherback eggs compared to other species. Experiments to determine hatchabilities of eggs handled after the development of the white spot are in progress.

Blanck, C. E. and R. H. Sawyer. 1981. Hatchery practices in relation to early embryology of the loggerhead sea turtle. Caretta caretta (Linné). J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 49:163-177. Ewert, M. A. 1979. The embryo and its egg: development and natural history. pp. 333-416 In M. Harless and H. Morlock (Eds.). Turtles: Perspectives and Research. Wiley Interscience, New York. 695pp. Yntema, C. L. 1964. Procurement and use of turtle embryos for experimental procedures. Anat. Rec. 149:577-586. Yntema, C. L. 1979. Temperature levels and periods of sex determination during incubation of eggs of Chelydra serpentina. J. Morph. 159: 17-28.

E. H. CHAN, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Mengabang Telipot. 21030 Kuala Terengganu MALAYSIA.

RECENT PAPERS

CHAN, E. H.. H. U. SALLEH and H. C. LIEW. 1985. Effects of handling on hatchability of eggs of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (L). Pertanika 8(2)265-271. E. H. Chan, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Mengabang Telipot, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, MALAYSIA. ECKERT, S. A., D. W. NELLIS, K. L. ECKERT and G. L. KOOYMAN. 1986. Diving patterns of two leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) during internesting intervals at Sandy Point, St. Croix, U. S. Virgin islands. Herpetologica 42(3)381-388. Scott Eckert, Department or Zoology, University of Georgia, Athens. GA 30602 USA. KAMEZAKI, N. 1986. Notes on the nesting of the sea turtles in the Yaeyama Group, Ryukyu Archipelago. Japanese Journal or Herpetology 11(3)152-155. Naoki Kamezaki, Yaeyama Marine Park Research Institute, Kuroshima, Taketomicho, Yaeyamagun, Okinawa, 907-13 JAPAN. LIMPUS, C. J. 1986. Sea turtles. Oceanus 29(2):102-104. C. Limpus, Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra, Australia. MARGARITOULIS, D. N. 1986. Captures and strandings of the leatherback sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, in Greece (1982-1984). Journal of Herpetology 20(3):471-474. Dimitris Margaritoulis. Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works, Patission 147, GR- 112 51 Athens, GREECE.

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MENDONÇA, M.T. and P.C. H. PRITCHARD. 1986. Offshore movements of post-nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempi). Herpetologica 42(3)373-381. Mary Mendonça, Department of Zoology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6009. NEWELL, S. Y., J. W. FELL ad C. MILLER. 1986. Deposition and decomposition of turtlegrass leaves. Internationale Revue der Desamten Hydrobiologie 71(3):363-370. S. Newell, University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island. GA 31237 USA. RHAMAN, A. 1986. The mysterious life of sea turtles. Tamil University Press, Thanjavur, India 80pp (in Tamil). A. Rhaman. AVVM Sri Pushpam College, Poondi 613503, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. SMITH, E. N., N. C. LONG and J. WOOD. 1986. Thermoregulation and evaporative water loss of green sea turtles. Journal of Herpetology 20(3):325-332. Norbert Smith. Hansen Research Foundation. RR 5 Box 217, Weatherford. OK 73096 USA. SMITH, H. M. and A. G. J. RHODIN. 1986. Authorship of the scientific name of the leatherback sea turtle. Journal of Herpetology 20(3):450-451. Hobart Smith, Department of Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University or Colorado, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309 USA. WITHERINGTON, B. E. 1986. Human and natural causes of marine turtle clutch and hatchling mortality and their relationship to hatchling production on an important Florida nesting beach. (Master's Degree Thesis, Graduate Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Central Florida; 141pp). [Copies of this publication probably are not available free of charge, but Interested readers might be able to obtain a copy through Interlibrary loan by requesting their librarian to contact: Librarian, University of Central Florida, PO Box 25000, Orlando, FL 32816.]

MEXICO ESTABLISHES SEA TURTLE REFUGES

In late October, President Miguel de Ia Madrid of Mexico signed legislation which named and geographically defined 16 sea turtle nesting refuges within the Republic, including areas on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts.

The major nesting beaches for the black turtle. Chelonia agassizi, within the state of Michoacan are included, as well as a number of olive and leatherback beaches on other areas of the Pacific coast. The Kemp's ridley beach at Rancho Nuevo, although already a sanctuary, is reaffirmed in the decree and additional areas we named to encompass the hawksbill and the Atlantic green along Mexico's east coast. This commendable action by Mexico is the result or the work and recommendations of many Mexicans, both in and out of government, who continue to strive for farsighted management programs for their country's sea turtle resources. This decree had the support or both the Ministries or Fisheries (PESCA) and Urban Development and Ecology (SEDUE), as well as the Navy. These three agencies will have to play major roles in implementing the decree and their support, which they have given, is vital.

In the past, Mexico has been sometimes criticized for certain sea turtle decisions. It Is therefore appropriate that any of us interested in the wise management of natural resources, especially sea turtles, now take the time to recognize and express international appreciation for this most commendable action by the Republic of Mexico. Readers who wish to write a letter of appreciation should address the following officials: 1. Lic. Miguel de la Madrid, C. President De La Republica, Los Pinos, Mexico. D.F;2. Lic. Pedro Ojeda Paullada, C. Secretario De Pesca, Av. Alvaro Obregon #269, Delegacion Cauhtemoc, Mexico 7D.F.; 3. Lic. Manuel Camacho Solis, C. Secreterio De Desarrollo Urbano y Ecologia, Av. Constituyentes 947, Col. Belen de las Flores, del. Alvaro Obregon 10110 Mexico D.F.

JACK B. WOODY, National See Turtle Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103 USA.

9 SEVENTH ANNUAL WORKSHOP

The Seventh Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle biology and Conservation will be held at Wekiwa Springs State Park, Florida (USA). 25-27 February 1987, sponsored by the Florida Department of Natural Resources. Limited funding is available for lodging and registration costs for students. Preference will be given to, but not limited to. students whose papers/posters are accepted for presentation. For further information, please contact: Seventh Annual Sea Turtle Workshop, Florida Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Marine Research, 100 Eighth Avenue S.E., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5095 USA, Attn. W. J. Conley.

'HEART’ CHRISTMAS GIFTS AVAILABLE

Let HEART help you with your Christmas shopping this year. There are 1.750 Kemps ridley sea turtle hatchlings at the Galveston Laboratory of the National Marine Fisheries Service (USA). You can sponsor a hatchling's food supply as a gift for only $4.00. HEART will send an attractive gift card to the person of your choice explaining that you are sponsoring the food for an endangered sea turtle as his or her Christmas gift. A red heart confirming this gift will be placed In the turtle house at Galveston. Texas (USA). (The total cost of this gift service is $5.00 per turtle. An additional $3.00 will provide new living quarters.)

HEART will also send a hand-sewn soft-sculpture turtle toy with gift card for $9.00, a 4" X 5" framed oil painting of a hatchling for $8.00, a sturdy beige tote bag with sea turtle pattern for $8.00, or a Raisin Ridley Sea Turtle Cookie Cutter with cookie recipe for $5.00. (Please add $ 1.00 to each item for postage and handling.)

Checks should be made payable to "HEART of PWWS." Send us your Christmas shopping list as soon as possible so we can mail it in time. Send to HEART or PWWS, Box 681231, Houston. TX 77268-1231 USA.

SOME ITEMS STILL AVAILABLE FROM CHELONIA INSTITUTE

The Chelonia Institute reports that MTN readers were quick to respond to their offer of free copies of the American Zoologist (Proceedings or the 1979 Symosium on Reproductive Biology of Sea Turtles) and the Proceedings of the Florida and Interregional Conference on Sea Turtles. Unfortunately, for those or you who were not quick to respond to the offer, there are no copies remaining. However, the Institute reports that they still have an additional dozen copies of Technica Pesquera # 167, December 1981, and “plenty of postcards.” Readers wishing to have free copies or these items are encouraged to write to: Ms. Anita Ellis, Assistant to the Director, Chelonia Institute, PO Box 9174, Arlington. VA 22209 USA.

GUEST EDITORIAL : GREEK LOGGERHEADS FACE DANGERS

Laganas Bay is located on Zakynthos, one of the seven Ionian Islands of Greece. It is a beautiful bay about 14 km long, bordered with sandy beaches and rocky slopes. It is also the main nesting habitat in the Mediterranean for loggerheads. Today only about half of these benches are used by nesting sea turtles, the other half having been developed for tourism. Laganas' nesting beaches are protected by two Presidential Decrees (issued In 1980 and 1981), as well as by the law that was passed in ratification of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. These laws

10 have been violated repeatedly. Two lawsuits filed against the Decrees were dismissed this year by the Council or State, the highest Greek court. Several Greek and international societies are striving to protect these turtles, including WWF, Greenpeace, IUCN, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, as well as international conventions and the EEC.

Team or young biologists from the Universities or Athens and Thessaloniki have been working in Laganas over since 1983 tagging turtles, studying disturbances on nesting beaches, and informing tourists. These Universities have proposed the creation of a protected Marine Park ad Ecological Center in Laganas as well as the expropriation of the main nesting beaches and the protection of the Bay from the sea. The Minister of the Environment visited the Island several months ago. He made proposals and gave detailed plans for the development of the wider Laganas area to include the protection of the sea turtles. He promised to sign the above proposals within two months of his visit after an exchange of opinions with local people and landowners, saying that the people must come first. Laganas and the sea turtles are still waiting.

Since July the situation has become desperate. Hostility from local beach landowners has reached its zenith and such is the rampage of the tourist industry on the island that developers and their bureaucratic helpers apparently will condone any amount of destruction to get rid of the loggerheads. Before tourist development (1976) some 1400 turtles used to nest in the Bay every year. Now the number Is around 800 and Is dropping. Discotheque noise with the awful low-frequency, far-carrying rythms of drums and bass guitars disturbs nesting turtles and tourists alike until the early hours of the morning. The lure of the bright lights from the discos produces a "false horizon” for nesting turtles and for hatchlings, disorienting both completely and preventing them from reaching the sea. Tourists with torches and flash cameras invade the beach at night disturbing the emergence of the turtles from the sea. Tractors end motorcycles we traversing the beaches night and day. Sea weed released by excessive dynamite fishing Is obstructing the shores.

A new law signed in July by the Minister of Merchant Marine, regarding the regulation of harbors and bays in Zakynthos, does not mention the protection or even the existence or the turtles. On the contrary, this law permits several new sea sports using more speed boats for their performance. This surely means more see turtles were injured by propellers this summer during the peak nesting period. Daphni, one of the two main nesting beaches, was levelled this summer during the peak nesting period for no apparent reason. As a result, the turtles could hardly nest at all . The local administration has done nothing to stop or to prevent this disaster.

If the Greek government does not hurry to legally protect Laganas Bay, this major habitat for Caretta caretta in Europe may not survive another summer. Greece could then be responsible for one of the worst ecological disasters in Europe.

LILY E. VENISELOS, Governing Council or the Hellenic Society for the Protection or Nature, 3 Merlin St., 10671 Athens, GREECE.

GUEST EDITORIAL : EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH CONSERVATION GROUPS – ARE WE DOING THE JOB?

During the past four years we have had several opportunities to observe the efforts of dedicated volunteers on the coastal USA involved with the relocation of sea turtle eggs from endangered areas to hatcheries (other on-the-beach sites and/or incubators). The enthusiasm and concern of the volunteers is overwhelming, but we were distressed by their surprising Ignorance regarding sound conservation practices and normal timing or intogenetic events. As visitors with professional credentials, we were often deluged with questions and requests for advice. Common questions are:

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` 1. Why is our hatching success dropping when it has been high the previous two years? 2. What should the nest hole look like that we dig; how deep is too deep? 3. When should we start relocating to styrofoam boxes and what kind would we use? 4. Should the hatchlings we release walk to the water and, if so, how far?

Additionally, we were disturbed when we learned that one group routinely dug up nests the morning after the first emergence. Inevitably, more hatchlings were found. Each morning these excavated hatchlings were released after they completed a crawl to the ocean.

We would Iike to address two questions that are pertinent to the release practices: a) What happens to hatchlings released during the day? b) How do the results of day releases compare with those of night releases?

We followed 8 hatchlings placed in the water no more then 100 feet from the shore. Five were taken by aquatic predators within one minute. Three survived for a 30 minute period before they were recaptured for release off-shore one week later. Five more hatchlings were followed after release about 300 feet off-shore. All five survived for 30 minutes even though one was "hit" by a fish and then released unharmed. In contrast, of 10 hatchlings released 100 feet off-shore at night (in the same area as day releases) only one was lost, presumably to a predator, after a 30 minute period.

Our data, while preliminary, certainly suggest that under the cover of darkness, predation pressures upon hatchlings are reduced. Of course this hypothesis has been around a long time as one of the major selection pressures for primarily night emergences among all sea turtles.

We have an obligation to keep dedicated conservation groups informed. Simple instructions, perhaps adapted from the Manual for Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Techniques ( 1983) and A Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles (1954), stressing normal timing or events during hatching and emergence should accompany each permit issued to such groups. We should stress the importance of relocation to suitable beach sites whenever feasible to avoid potentially biasing sex ratios and introducing unnatural orientation cues. Perhaps it would be wise to suggest that hatcheries should be routinely moved every two years or the sand changed to eliminate the problems associated with contaminated sand. (Old sites may be reusable after a couple of years of no use especially if egg clutter had been removed when old nests were excavated.)

Because state and federal personnel saddled with permitting duties are often busy and already overburdened, a simple fact sheet and a list of protocols accompanying permits to these groups could reduce the burdens of officials while simultaneously enhancing the effectiveness of the volunteers' efforts to Rid the turtles. A poll of sea turtle biologists who have encountered volunteers involved in nest relocation programs would enable the compilation of a list of common questions that could be answered (in advance) in the fact and protocol sheets. The distribution of such material to all conservation groups could improve our efforts to *preserve and protect."

JEANETTE WYNEKEN and MICHAEL SALMON, Department of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution, University of llinois, Chapmpaign, IL 61820 USA.

Partial funding for MTN 38 was provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Cayman Turtle Farm (1983) Ltd., and Lenore S. Ballard. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily shared by the Editor, the Editorial Board, Mercer University, or any of the individuals or organizations providing financial support.

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