Chain of commercialization of Podocnemis spp. turtles (Testudines: Podocnemididae) in the Purus River, Amazon basin, Brazil: current status and perspectives

Abstract

BackgroundConsumption of turtles by natives and settlers in the Amazon and Orinoco has been widely studied in scientific communities. Accepted cultural customs and the local dietary and monetary needs need to be taken into account in conservation programs, and when implementing federal laws related to consumption and fishing methods. This study was conducted around the Purus River, a region known for the consumption and illegal trade of turtles. The objective of this study was to quantify the illegal turtle trade in Tapauá and to understand its effect on the local economy.MethodsThis study was conducted in the municipality of Tapauá in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. To estimate turtle consumption, interviews were conducted over 2 consecutive years (2006 and 2007) in urban areas and isolated communities. The experimental design was randomized with respect to type of household. To study the turtle fishery and trade chain, we used snowball sampling methodology.ResultsDuring our study period, 100% of respondents reported consuming at least three species of turtles (Podocnemis spp.). Our estimates indicate that about 34 tons of animals are consumed annually in Tapauá along the margins of a major fishing river in the Amazon. At least five components related to the chain of commercialization of turtles on the Purus River are identified: Indigenous Apurinã and (2) residents of bordering villages (communities); (3) of local smugglers buy and sell turtles to the community in exchange for manufactured goods, and (4) regional smugglers buy in Tapauá, Lábrea, and Beruri to sell in Manaus and Manacapuru; Finally, (5) there are professional fishermen.ConclusionsWe quantify the full impact of turtle consumption and advocate the conservation of the region’s turtle populations. The Brazilian government should initiate a new turtle consumption management program which involves the opinions of consumers. With these measures the conservation of freshwater turtles in the Brazilian Amazon, is possible.

Testing the Effects of Barriers on the Genetic Connectivity inPodocnemis erythrocephala(Red-Headed Amazon River Turtle): Implications for Management and Conservation

“…As observed by Batistella and Vogt (2008) in the Santa Isabel do Rio Negro region, it is very common for entire riverbank families to visit nesting areas during the egglaying season, and on these occasions it is not uncommon for 100% of the oviposited eggs to be collected. Various authors also describe similar situations for other species of chelonians and other regions of South America (e.g., Hildebrand et al 1988;Mitchel and Quiñones 1994;Pantoja-Lima et al 2014). During the nesting season, P. erythrocephala females are also captured in the nesting areas.…”

Using spatial patterns in illegal wildlife uses to reveal connections between subsistence hunting and trade

“…turtles in Amazon River in Brazil (Pantoja‐Lima et al. ), to the specialized bird trade in Peru (Daut et al. ), to simple and opportunistic trade such as the bushmeat trade in the Abaetetuba open‐air market in Brazil (Baía et al.…”

ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS ON YELLOW-SPOTTED RIVER TURTLE Podocnemis unifilis (REPTILIA: PODOCNEMIDIDAE) FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

“…Thus, P. unifilis population has a long history of decline due to the use of its meat and eggs by riverine communities, as well as by pressure on its nesting habitats (Arraes and Tavares-Dias, 2014). Pantoja-Lima et al (2014) estimated that about 34 tons of turtles are consumed annually only along the margins of a major fishing river in the state of Amazonas, central Amazon (Brazil).…”

“…For natural populations of chelonians, the two main threats are the excessive exploitation by man (Pantoja-Lima et al, 2014) and the modification of their habitats (Pantoja-Lima et al, 2009). The first threat is due to the great consumption of meat, offal and eggs of turtles, since these animals are a major source of protein in the diet of indigenous and riverine populations from the Amazon, besides being used for medicinal purposes and manufacture of ornaments and utensils.…”