GUADA; 



FRAZER; 



FRETEY ; 



BURNETT-HERKES ; 



MOLERO: 



MURILLOi 



Puerto Limon illustrates the need for better 

 internal cononunication among researchers. 



An alarming situation exists in Nicaragua in 

 regard to C. mydas . Eggs and adults are being 

 heavily exploited as a food source, especially 

 during the current economic and political crisis. 



Concerning numbers of nests to assess population 

 levels, nesting cycles fluctuate up and down and 

 do not necessarily reflect true population 

 changes. Short term observations cannot 

 conclusively demonstrate true increases or 

 decreases. Ten to twenty years may be long enough 

 to begin to draw conclusions about population 

 levels. 



(National Representative of French Guiana) . N. 

 Frazer was complemented on his statement and an 

 additional explanation was offered. In Surinam 

 increases have been observed in nesting levels of 

 D. coriacea and L. olivacea . Annual variations 

 may be an artifact of movements between nesting 

 areas. Strict nest site fidelity is doubtful. 

 Coordination between French Guiana, Surinam, and 

 Brazil is imperative. 



: (National Representative of Bermuda) . Caution 

 was expressed against using only nesting activity 

 as population indicators as this is only a portion 

 of the total population. The need to look at 

 other life history stages was stressed. 



Awareness regarding sea turtle conservation in 

 Venezuela is emerging, but a lack of funding for 

 research and conservation and a lack of qualified 

 personnel exist. An American Foundation with 

 signatories to foster education and research was 

 proposed. An international organization may 

 encourage progress. 



This will be addressed on Friday. Progress has 

 been made in strengthening the data base. 

 Expansion studies to include water surveys in 

 addition to nesting beach surveys. A lack of data 

 on total population figures exists. Ways to 

 integrate efforts at the regional level and 

 explore intergovernmental mechanisms to continue 

 the efforts initiated by WATS are needed. 



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