Abstracts of Poster Presentations 



Acuna, Alexander, Leyda Gonzalez, Maria Guerrero, Harold Molero 

 Daria Pirela, Rincon Jose and Luz Sideregts 



Preliminary Report on the status of Sea Turtles on the 

 Western Coast of the Golfo de Venezuela. Zulia State 



Museo de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia 



Facultad Experimental de Ciencias 

 Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela 



The present study presents the first information on sea 

 turtles on the western coast of the Golfo de Venezuela and 

 includes information on the species present in the area, nesting, 

 human predation and commercialization. The study area is located 

 between 10°59' and 11°51'N; 71°19' and 72°28'W. The research 

 includes: interviews with fishermen, beach surveys (diurnal and 

 nocturnal) and data from specimens (remains and live individuals) 

 in the areas of: Castilletes, Poshoure, Cusia, Cojoro, Casuzay, 

 Vyarcira, Neima, Guayamurazay, Cano Sagua, Caimare Chico and San 

 Carlos in the Paez and Mara districts in the state of Zulia. 

 Four of the five species present in Venezuela were recorded 

 ( Chelonia mydas . Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea and 

 Eretmochelys imbricata) . The total number of specimens observed 

 was 135. The number of specimens identified was 96; ninety two 

 (92) were identified as Chelonia mydas . The most frequent 

 carapace length was between 51 to 60 cm. No information was 

 gathered on seasonality, distribution, migration or nesting, even 

 though favorable beaches are present (e.g., Cusia). The sea 

 turtle population has decreased in recent years. Human 

 exploitation for subsistence and trade is evident. Nevertheless, 

 it takes place at a low scale. Maicao and Puerto Lopez in the 

 Republic of Colombia are the main market. Puerto Cojoro and 

 Casuzay are important trading posts. Of the registered 

 specimens, 87% come from the hamlets of Vyarcira, Neima, Casuzay, 

 Cojoro and Cusia. 



The present work was sponsored by STAO/WATS II through 

 FUDENA (Fundacion para la Defense de la Naturaleza) and received 

 collaboration from the Zulia Development Corporation and the II 

 Infantry Brigade, Maracaibo. 



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