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Artisanal green turtle (Chelonia mydas) fishery of Caribbean Nicaragua: II. Characterization and trends in size, sex, and maturity status of turtles killed, 1994–2011

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Abstract

One of the largest legal green turtle, Chelonia mydas, fisheries in the world occurs in Caribbean Nicaragua, where annually thousands of endangered turtles are captured for consumption. Understanding characteristics of turtles caught and assessing trends can provide insights into population status and resource management needs. From 1994 to 2011, green turtles caught in this artisanal fishery (12.33–14.66°N and 82.50–83.48°W) were characterized by size, maturity status, and sex. Temporal trends in curved plastron length (PL) differed significantly among three size-sex categories: turtles ≥70.0 cm PL for females (F ≥ 70) and males (M ≥ 70), and all turtles <70 cm PL (PL < 70). For maturity status, the ratio and number of immatures declined suggesting a decrease in recruitment to the Nicaragua foraging ground. Of the mature turtles, males comprised 69% of the catch. Sex ratios of F ≥ 70 to M ≥ 70 differed significantly by region, 1.2F:1M in the north and 0.7F:1M in the south, suggesting sexual segregation on the foraging ground. Additionally, the annual proportion of F ≥ 70 decreased significantly in each region. Declines in immatures and proportion of females in the catch are of concern since these changes have potentially important implications for population growth. Recommendations include improving stakeholder participation in fishery management, establishment of effective closed seasons, and year-around protection for mature females. Although additional information is needed, this study provides evidence of resource population changes and demonstrates the importance of long-term monitoring of resource use.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the local community data collectors for their efforts and hard work in collecting data on the green turtle fishery. CJL would also like to thank S. Gautreau, K. McCoy, L. Minarik, S. Morshed, J. Townsend, and especially V. Huertas for their many long hours of conscientiously entering and proofing data. S. Heppell conducted the ogive analysis on turtle size data that was used to assess maturational status of turtles captured in the fishery. CJL and CLC appreciate discussions with colleagues at the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research (ACCSTR), University of Florida about the Nicaragua green turtle fishery, which improved the manuscript, and M. Godfrey and the ACCSTR for access to their reprint libraries. Funding was provided to CJL by the Chelonian Research Institute, Inter-American Foundation, Sea Turtle Conservancy (formerly the Caribbean Conservation Corporation), Sigma Xi, and The Nature Conservancy. Funding was provided to the Wildlife Conservation Society by the National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and by a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. All permits were obtained from the Nicaragua Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA), and data collection complied with all regulations. MARENA permits were issued to either CJL or the Wildlife Conservation Society. We appreciate the edits and comments provided by K. Bjorndal, the editor, and four anonymous reviewers, which have greatly improved the manuscript.

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  1. Cynthia J. Lagueux & Cathi L. Campbell

    Present address: Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research and Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

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  1. Global Conservation Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA

    Cynthia J. Lagueux, Cathi L. Campbell & Samantha Strindberg

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Lagueux, C.J., Campbell, C.L. & Strindberg, S. Artisanal green turtle (Chelonia mydas) fishery of Caribbean Nicaragua: II. Characterization and trends in size, sex, and maturity status of turtles killed, 1994–2011. Mar Biol 164, 60 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3092-2

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