and disturb or uncover a nest. Disposing of the raked debris on the high beach can cover nests 

 and mav- alter nest temperature affecting temperature dependent sex determination mechanisms. 



Human disturbance of nesting females is a serious concern. Also, heavy utilization of nesting 

 beaches b\' humans may result in lowered hatchling success due to sand compaction. 



The use of off-road vehicles on beaches is a serious problem in certain areas. It may result in 

 decreased hatchling success due to sand compaction, or directly kill hatchlings and adults. Tire 

 ruts may also interfere with the ability of hatchlings to get to the ocean. 



A variety of natural and introduced predators such as hogs, mongooses, ghost crabs and ants prey 

 on hawksbill eggs and hatchlings. 



Impacts in the marine environment 



International commerce in hawksbill shell (bekko) is considered the most significant factor 

 endangering hawksbill populations around the world. Japanese imports of raw bekko between 

 1970 and 1989 totaled 713.850 kg, representing more than 670,000 turtles; more than half the 

 imports originated in the Caribbean and Latin America. While hawksbills are protected under 

 CITES, trade continues for several reasons: not all countries have ratified CITES: some treaty 

 signatories participate in trade by falsifying documents of origin; some treaty signatories ignore 

 the treaty and trade openly in hawksbills and hawksbill products; and some treaty signatories 

 have exercised their right to take exemption to treaty provisions as they affect sea turtles. The 

 illegal take of hawksbills at sea has not yet been fully quantified, but it is a continuing and 

 serious problem. 



Incidental catch during fishing operations is an unquantified and potentially significant source of 

 mortality. Gill nets, longlines and shrimp trawls all take turtles in Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic 

 waters. In Puerto Rico, hawksbills are captured by a variety of fishing gear, including driftnets, 

 gillnets and seines, and are also killed by spearguns. Gillnets and seines are widely deployed and 

 are a particularly serious problem; these nets are sometimes set specifically (and illegally) for 

 turtles. 



Marine debris: The extent to which hawksbills are killed or debilitated after becoming entangled 

 in marine debris is unknown, but it is believed to be a serious and growing problem. Hawksbills 

 have been reported entangled in monofilament gill nets, fishing line and rope. Hawksbill turtles 

 eat a wide variety of debris such as plastic bags, plastic and styrofoam pieces, tar balls, balloons 

 and plastic pellets. Effects of consumption include interference in metabolism or gut function, 

 even at low levels of ingestion, as well as absorption of toxic byproducts. 



In areas where recreational boating and ship traffic is intense, propeller and collision injuries are 

 common and likely play a significant role in hampering recovery. 



The hawksbill's dependence on coral reefs for shelter and food link its well-being to the 

 condition of reefs. Destruction of reefs from vessels anchoring, striking or grounding is a 

 growing problem. Cruiseships and yachts are destroying portions of coral reefs with their 

 anchors and anchor chains in the US Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands. 

 Belize and elsewhere. There is also damage from recreational, diving and fishing boats 

 anchoring indiscriminately on reefs. In Puerto Rico, damage to coral reefs and other shallow 

 water benthic systems from sedimentation and siltation has not been assessed as yet. but it is 

 known to be a serious problem with some coral reefs completely destroyed by siltation. 



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