Exploring drivers and deterrents of the illegal consumption and trade of marine turtle products in Cape Verde, and implications for conservation planning

Abstract

Abstract:Conservation rules aimed at restricting resource use are commonly used to manage and protect natural resources, but their implementation is strongly affected by resource users' compliance. The design of effective rules should be informed by an understanding of the factors that affect compliance, considering the contextual socio-economic information. Potential changes in the national legislation protecting sea turtles have been recently discussed in the Cape Verde archipelago, where historical and recent records indicate heavy human predation pressure on nesting and foraging sea turtles. The most recent assessment of levels of illegal harvesting and consumption of sea turtle products on two of the islands, Boavista and Santiago, are presented, followed by an analysis of their potential drivers.http://www.oryxthejournal.org Oryx -The International Journal of Conservation F o r P e e r R e v i e wThe perceived impact of main interventions currently employed in Cape Verde to reduce illegal sea turtle harvesting, trade and consumption were investigated by interviewing key stakeholders. Despite an apparent decrease of sea turtle harvest and consumption over recent years, our results suggest a shift from subsistence harvesting to trade in Boavista. The existence of sea turtle protection laws was perceived as a main deterrent to harvesting, while awareness campaigns and a lack of resource availability were perceived as main reasons for decrease in consumption in Boavista and Santiago, respectively. Aiming to inform ongoing discussions, we recommend a multi-targeted approach focusing both on suppliers and consumers in order to magnify conservation effectiveness. Regular impact evaluation focusing both on harvest and consumption is needed to better design regulations and robustly inform policy decisions. Tables Table S1. Drivers and assumptions underlying wildlife trade interventions (TRAFFIC, 2008) and indicators used in this study to assess their success. Table S2. Characterisation of the groups targeted for this study at Boavista (n = 147) individuals from four villages and one city) and Santiago (n = 291 individuals from six villages and one city). Boavista (n=17) 10,000 ± 4,000 5,000 -20,000 10 000Santiago (n=96) 12,000 ± 4,000 4,000 -20,000 10 000Juvenile Turtle (Whole) 1 Santiago (n=3) 5,000 ± 4,500 1,500 -10,000 N/A Boavista (n=10) 250 -600 300 Boavista. The existence of sea turtle protection laws was perceived as a main 42 deterrent to harvesting, while awareness campaigns and a lack of resource availability 43 were perceived as main reasons for decrease in consumption in Boavista and 44 Santiago, respectively. Aiming to inform ongoing discussions, we recommend a 45 multi-targeted approach focusing both on suppliers and consumers in order to 46 magnify conservation effectiveness. Regular impact evaluation focusing both on 47 harvest and consumption is needed to better design regulations and robustly inform 48 policy decisions. 49

A simple model for the evolution of temperature-dependent sex determination explains the temperature sensitivity of embryonic mortality in imperiled reptiles

“… Kondo et al , 2017 ) and low genetic diversity ( Romiguier et al , 2014 ), populations are unable to adapt to environmental change on the time scale of anthropogenic impacts ( Hawkes et al , 2009 ). Elevated adult mortality of turtles arising from road collisions ( Steen and Gibbs, 2004 ), fishing gear entrapment ( Lewison et al , 2004 ; Bolten et al , 2011 ), predation ( Bolten et al , 2011 ) and direct consumption as a food source ( Conway-Gómez, 2007 ; Hancock et al , 2017 ) has therefore resulted in dramatic population declines. At present, 56.3% of data sufficient species (51.9% of all recognized species) are considered critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( Rhodin et al , 2018 ).…”

Long-term insights into marine turtle sightings, strandings and captures around the UK and Ireland (1910–2018)

“…These are particularly important for marine turtles due to their complex life histories and the use of a variety of spatially discrete habitats over extended lifespans (Musick & Limpus, 1997). Additionally, marine turtles face a number of threats including fisheries bycatch (Casale, 2011; Casale et al ., 2017), climate change (Hawkes et al ., 2007; Fuentes et al ., 2011), direct take (Hancock et al ., 2017), pollution (Lutcavage et al ., 1995; Duncan et al ., 2017), disease (Patrício et al ., 2016) and coastal development (Harewood & Horrocks, 2008; Fuentes et al ., 2016).…”

A simple model for the evolution of temperature-dependent sex determination explains the temperature sensitivity of embryonic mortality in imperiled reptiles

“…Natural rates of replacement and population growth are low in most turtle species, and because of high juvenile mortality, slow life histories (e.g., Kondo, Morimoto, Sato, & Suganuma, 2017), and low genetic diversity (Romiguier et al, 2014), populations are unable to adapt to environmental change on the time scale of anthropogenic impacts (Hawkes et al, 2009). Elevated adult mortality of turtles arising from road collisions (Steen and Gibbs, 2004), fishing gear entrapment (Lewison et al, 2004;Bolten et al, 2011), predation (Bolten et al, 2011), and direct consumption as a food source (Conway-Gómez, 2007;Hancock et al, 2017), has therefore resulted in dramatic population declines. At present, 56.3% of data sufficient species (51.9% of all recognized species) are considered critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Rhodin et al, 2018).…”