Hawksbill turtles face multiple severe threats including the tortoiseshell trade, Japanese bekko industry, marine fishery mortalities, habitat degradation, and nesting disturbances.
Hawksbills face multiple, severe threats.
The volume of the tortoiseshell trade has diminished, yet it remains active and substantial, and the Japanese bekko industry remains intact.
Analysis of historic and recent published and unpublished accounts indicate extensive subpopulation declines in all major ocean basins over the last three hawksbill turtle generations as a result of overexploitation of adult females and eggs at nesting beaches, degradation of nesting habitats, the taking of juveniles and adults in foraging areas, incidental mortality relating to marine fisheries, and degradation of marine habitats.
Sources: (Mortimer & Donnelly, 2008; Pilcher; WWF)
Image: USAID Biodiversity & Forestry
