H. Reichart's concern for the Atlantic population 

 and reported that Indians recall observing 20,000- 

 30,000 specimens per night 25-30 years ago. He 

 expressed interest in the theory noted by Reichart 

 that these animals may be migrating to West 

 Africa. 



REICHART; 



The population might alternatively be migrating 

 south of, or past, Brazil. The Marcovaldis had 

 recently found more olive ridleys in Brazil, but 

 this could be due to more observational effort. 



CHAIR : Are reasons for the decline necessary in light of 

 what is known about shrimping? 



REICHART ; Not enough is known about mortality due to shrimp 



trawling to be sure, but all indications are that 

 shrimping is the major cause of mortality. The 

 NMFS had offered to Guyana to demonstrate the TED 

 locally and supply several of them in 1982, but 

 there was little interest. Fishermen said they 

 did not want to lose the bycatch. 



G. MARCOVALDI ; Brazil's turtle populations were compared.. Only 



43 olive ridleys were observed in 1987, and 195 of 

 their nests were located. 



REICHART! 



Olive ridleys are solitary nesters, according to 

 the historical record in Brazil. 



DUTTON ; 



Should headstarting be considered in Brazil and 

 Surinam? 



REICHART; 



CYAN; 



FRETEY: 



CHAIR: 



The candidate countries lack sufficient financial 

 resources. Headstarting would be desirable, but 

 the effort would need a champion. 



Few olive ridleys nest in Trinidad and Tobago, but 

 the animals are commonly caught in offshore 

 fishing nets. In 1986, a carcass was found on a 

 northeast beach, suggesting possible nesting. 



Sex ratio studies on olive ridleys are planned. 

 The necessary enclosures are to be named in honor 

 of Archie Carr. He indicated interest in hearing 

 any good ideas concerning headstarting. 



What would be the purpose of headstarting except 

 to provide more food for the crews of the shrimp 

 trawlers? All nests in Surinam have been 

 protected for 20 years, but the population 

 continues to decline. 



190 



