Marcovaldi, Maria Angela and Guy Guagni dei Marcovaldi 



The Brazilian Sea Turtle Program 



Institute Brasileiro Desenvolvimento Forestal 

 Salvador, Brazil 40.000 



Until 1979, few things were known about Brazilian sea 

 turtles, and almost nothing was done to assure the preservation 

 of these animals threatened by extinction. 



Some foreign surveys had described, but not very precisely, 

 the occurrence of nesting areas on our coast, and also had 

 recorded turtles that had been tagged in other countries or 

 oceanic islands, such as Surinam and Ascencion Island. 



In 1980, the Marine Turtles Project (TAMAR) was created by 

 Institute Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento Forestal; and Fundacao 

 Brasileira para a Conservacao de Naturesa, to evaluate the real 

 situation of these animals in Brasil. 



For years, a detailed survey was conducted, in which 8,000 

 km of coastline were studied, and thousands of interviews and 

 scientific observations were made by TAMAR employees. 



The main problem that threatens the marine turtles is the 

 killing of females on the beach and the poaching of eggs. On 

 most Brazilian beaches, very few turtles that come up to nest 

 succeed in their aim. 



As a result of this survey, eight areas were selected and 

 considered essential to marine turtle survival. Other beaches 

 were recognized as being of secondary importance. 



Considered essential: 



1) Lencors Maranhenses, state of Maranhao; 



2) Biological Reserve of Atol das Roces; state of Rio 

 Grande do Norte; 



3) Trindade Island; state of Espirito Santo; 



4) Fernando de Noronha Archipelago; 



5) Biological Reserve of Santa Isabel; state of Sergipe 



6) Praia do Forle and Vicinity; state of Bahia 



7) Praia de Santa Maria (Interlagos) ; state of Bahia 



8) Biological Reserve of Comboios, state of Bahia 



The number of turtles that used to nest in Brazil was higher 

 than presently. On many beaches they are now non-existent, and 

 on other beaches few turtles remain. 



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