Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.M.3.

1 Marine Species - Reptiles Marine Turtles

Rev: 19 March 2012

DIGITALDIVER.NET

Marine Turtles Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Eretmochelys imbricata, Dermochelys coriacea Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, Order: Testudines, Family: Cheloniidae There are seven living species of marine turtle, four of which have been documented in the Cayman Islands. These are the Green Chelonia mydas, the Loggerhead Caretta caretta, the Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea, and the Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata. Status Distribution: Circum-global. Conservation: Green and Loggerhead Turtles are classified as endangered, while Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles are critically endangered (IUCN Red List 2008). Cayman Island nesting: Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtle nesting is critically reduced. Leatherback nesting populations have been extirpated. Cayman Islands foraging: Hawksbill and Green Turtle foraging aggregations are apparently stable. Cayman Island nesting: Green Turtles: 17-26 nesting females. Loggerhead Turtles: 17-26 nesting females. Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles: nesting populations believed to be extirpated. Cayman Islands foraging: Hawksbill and Green Turtles: aggregations apparently stable.
For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

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Legal: Marine Turtles are protected under the Marine Conservation Law (Turtle Protection Regulations). The Department of Environment is the lead body for protection. Natural History Though the vast majority of their life cycle is spent at sea, female Marine Turtles nest terrestrially, spending approximately 13 hours on shore. Marine turtle hatchlings swim offshore, entering a period of oceanic drifting known as the lost years. Though Leatherback Turtles remain primarily oceanic throughout their life cycle, most hard-shell Marine Turtles recruit to nearshore feeding grounds such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. These developmental habitats are occupied by individuals originating from many jurisdictions. Upon nearing maturity, (ca. 20 years of age), turtles leave developmental habitats and move to distant adult feeding grounds. Every few years, Marine Turtles travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers from adult feeding grounds to nesting beaches, returning to the areas where they were born to breed and nest. The Cayman Islands once supported one of the worlds largest green turtle rookeries, as well as abundant nesting by Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles. Every summer, millions of Marine Turtles are believed to have migrated to Cayman Islands to nest, leading to reports that vessels, which have lost their latitude in hazy weather, have steered entirely by the noise which these creatures make in swimming to attain the Caymana isles. However, by the early 1800s, massive exploitation had caused the Cayman Islands nesting populations to crash. By the 20th century, the Cayman Islands rookeries were considered extinct. Systematic monitoring of marine turtle nesting beaches by Department of Environment began in 1998 and revealed that nesting by Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles persisted at critically low levels: an annual mean of 26 Green turtle nests, 26 Loggerhead nests, and <1 Hawksbill nests. In recent years, a considerable increase in Green and Loggerhead nesting has been observed, with more than 100 Green turtle nests recorded for the first time in 2008. While numbers remain low, fertilization success averages 81% for Green turtle nests and 78% for Loggerhead nests, showing no reduction in fertility relative to larger populations. Satellite tracking indicates that Cayman Islands Green Turtles travel to foraging grounds in Central America, Mexico, and the Florida keys, with their range encompassing over 2,000 km of the Caribbean coastline and the Florida Keys. This dispersion highlights the importance of broad and collaborative marine turtle management and habitat protection. In contrast, Cayman Islands Loggerhead Turtles were tracked to foraging habitats in Nicaragua, underscoring the necessity of identifying key habitats and targeting action. In addition to supporting nesting populations, the Cayman Islands host foraging aggregations of juvenile Hawksbill and Green turtles, inhabiting coral reefs, hardbottom areas, and seagrass beds. Genetic research has shown that juvenile Hawksbill turtles originate from nesting beaches spanning the Caribbean basin. For Green turtles, tag returns from the Cayman Turtle Farm show recruitment of captiveraised individuals into the wild, but a genetic study has not yet been conducted to evaluate the extent of this contribution Associated Habitats and Species for Marine Turtles ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.M.1 Open sea 2.M.2 Coral reefs 2.M.3 Lagoons 2.M.4 Seagrass beds 2.M.5 Dredged seabed 2.S.2 Sandy beach and cobble 2.S.3 Mangrove 2.S.4 Invasive coastal plants (INVASIVE) 2.T.7 Urban and man-modified areas Current Factors Affecting Marine Turtles Legal take: under the Turtle Protection Law (1996), some twenty people remain eligible for licenses to catch turtles. The level of sea turtle nesting in the Cayman Islands is critically low, and continued legal capture of mature turtles may cause the nesting population to become extinct in the near future. Update: In 2008, legislation was amended to prohibit take of mature turtles in Cayman waters. Illegal take: reports from enforcement officers and members of the public confirm that illegal take of marine turtles is still occurring around all three islands. While prosecutions are made whenever possible, the level of sea turtle nesting in the Cayman Islands is critically low, and capture of even a small number of mature turtles could cause extinction of nesting populations or prevent them from recovering. Section: 3.M.3.1 Marine Species - Reptiles - Marine Turtles Page: 2 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS

Queen Conch Strombus gigas Spiny Lobsters Panulirus argus Southern Stingrays Dasyatis americana Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus

 Incidental and accidental capture and mortality: incidental mortality arises particularly from ingestion of fish hooks and vessel collision. Marine debris: entanglement in fishing line and ingestion of plastics contributes to a largely unqualified mortality amongst Marine Turtles. Habitat loss and degradation: nesting beach habitat has been a primary focus for development since 1960s. Beach erosion and artificial lighting have also adversely affected nesting populations. Foraging populations may be impacted by hurricanes and anthropogenic degradation of coral reefs and seagrass beds. Disease: fibropapillomatosis is a condition characterized by debilitating tumors. This disease has reached epidemic proportions in some areas. Locally, fibropapillomatosis is known to affect Green Turtles in North Sound. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Marine Turtles Marine Turtle Beach Monitoring Programme (MTBMP): since 1998 the DoE has been conducting a systematic survey along the beaches of the Cayman Islands to identifying signs. During the turtle nesting season of May-October, the beaches of the Cayman Islands are patrolled by DoE staff and trained volunteers. Data collected is used to assess the quantity, frequency and distribution of nesting, and to aid conservation efforts. The MTBMP has recently expanded to incorporate attaching satellite transmitters to postnesting female turtles and monitoring their movements once they leave the nesting beaches in the Cayman Islands. Movements of Cayman sea turtles can be viewed at http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking. In-Water Programme: DoE has carried out an intensive in-water monitoring programme since 2000. Throughout the year, sea turtles are captured, tagged, and released off the shores of Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, to assess population trends, and determine migration patterns, habitat utilisation, demographics, and management needs. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Marine Turtles OBJECTIVES 1. Continue to monitor the status of nesting populations and ensure that they are protected from extirpation. 2. Determine the status of, and threats to, foraging populations. 3. Ensure the long-term stability of foraging populations. 4. Ensure sustained support for the conservation of Marine Turtles through targeted education and awareness programmes. TARGET ongoing ongoing ongoing ongoing

Marine Turtles PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Enact Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law in order to fully transpose CITES into domestic law. PL3. Amend legislation to eliminate capture of mature Marine Turtles, through moratorium, extended closed season, or implementation of a maximum size limit. PL4. Mobilize volunteer support for nesting beach monitoring and expand volunteer programme. PL5. Develop and implement a monitoring system to ensure that legal Cayman Turtle Farm products can be differentiated from illegal products. PL6. Promote a mandatory policy of turtle friendly lighting and design for all new beachfront developments.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3,4 2,3 1,3

CIG DoE DoE

DoE CIG CIG

2006 2006 2006

PL3: REPORT: Legislation amended in 2008 to enact a maximum size limit and extended closed season. DoE DoE DoE VOL CTF MP CIG DoP CPA DCB ongoing ongoing 2012 1 2,4 1

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Marine Turtles PROPOSED ACTION PL7. Promote a mandatory policy of native vegetation maintenance and/or landscaping for all new beachfront developments.

LEAD DoE

PARTNERS CIG DoP CPA DCB

TARGET 2012

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1

Safeguards & Management SM1. Using GIS data, ensure that key nesting habitats are protected from coastal development. SM2. Using GIS location data, ensure that key foraging habitats are protected. SM3. Mitigate the effects of inappropriate beach lighting by installing turtle-friendly lights in key locations. SM4. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Train Customs personnel in identification of marine turtle products. A2. Address marine debris and litter control issues. A3. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. A3. REPORT: Extensive public outreach Mar-Sept 2010. Research & Monitoring RM1. Continue systematic monitoring efforts on nesting beaches on all three islands, in order to determine population trends towards informing conservation management. RM2. Conduct sustainable, regular, and frequent inwater monitoring on all three islands to determine trends in abundance of foraging populations, and identify key habitats towards informing conservation management. RM3. Analyse genetic structure of juvenile Green Turtle Chelonia mydas populations to determine contribution of Cayman Islands Turtle Farm to wild foraging aggregations. RM4. Construct Sister Islands research accommodation (Little Cayman) DoE MTRG MCB MTRG MTRG CTF IntC ongoing 1 DoE DoE DoE HMC CIG CIG CIG NT 2006 2008 2006 1,3 1,3 1,2,3,4 DoE DoE DoE DoE DOP DOP DoP MP 2008 2006 ongoing 2015 1 2,3 1 1,2,3,4

DoE

ongoing

2,3

DoE DoE

2010 2008

2 1,2,3

RM4. REPORT: Accommodation for up to four individuals on Little Cayman established by DoE, 2008. Communication & Publicity CP1. Targeted awareness campaign to key sectors of Government and local community. CP2. Maintain local and international media campaign. CP3. Launch educational DVD / schools packs. CP4. Promote island-wide awareness of the differences between adult and juvenile sea turtles through production of educational posters, fliers, and media releases. CP5. Expand sea turtle education in the National Curriculum. CP6. Raise public awareness of the ecological value of sandy beach and cobble using Marine Turtles as a flagship for preservation. CP7. Raise awareness of sustainable alternatives to threatened fisheries amongst members of the public through involvement with educational programmes e.g. Cayman Sea Sense CP8. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands DoE DoE DoE DoE DoE DoE NT CIG CIG MP MP DE DE MP DE MP MP DoE DoT CA MP DoE MP NT DoT 2006 ongoing 2006 ongoing 2008 ongoing ongoing 2010 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

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References and Further Reading for Marine Turtles

Bell, C.D., Blumenthal, J.M., Broderick, A.C., Godley, B.J. (2009). Investigating potential for depensation in marine turtles: How low can you go? Conservation Biology, 24(1):226-235. Bell, C.D., Blumenthal, J.M., Austin, T.J., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Broderick, A.C., Godley, B.J. (2008). Harnessing recreational divers for the collection of sea turtle data around the Cayman Islands. Tourism in Marine Environments, 5(4): 245-257 Bell, C., Solomon, J.L., Blumenthal, J.M., Austin, T.J., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Broderick, A.C., Godley, BJ (2007). Monitoring and conservation of critically reduced marine turtle nesting populations: lessons from the Cayman Islands. Animal Conservation, 10:39-47 Bell, C.D., Blumenthal, J.M., Austin, T.J., Solomon, J.L., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Broderick A.C., Godley, B.J. (2006). Traditional Caymanian fishery may impede local marine turtle population recovery. Endangered Species Research 2, 63-69 Blumenthal, J.M., Solomon, J.L., Bell, C.D., Austin, T.J., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Coyne, M.S., Broderick, A.C., Godley, B.J. (2006). Satellite tracking highlights the need for international cooperation in marine turtle management. Endangered Species Research, 2: 51-61 Blumenthal, J.M., Austin, T.J., Bothwell, J.B., Broderick, A.C., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Olynik, J.R., Orr, M.F., Solomon, J.L., Witt, M.J., Godley, B.J. (2009). Diving behaviour and movements of juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata on a Caribbean coral reef. Coral Reefs, 28(55-65). Blumenthal, J.M. , Austin, T.J., Bell, C.D., Bothwell, J.B., Broderick, A.C., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Gibb, J.A., Luke, K.E., Olynik, J.R., Orr, M.F., Solomon, J.L., Godley, B.J. (2009). Ecology of hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata in a western Caribbean foraging area. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 8:1-10 Blumenthal, J.M., Abreu-Grobois, A., Austin, T.J., Broderick, A.C., Bruford, M.W., Coyne, M.S., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Formia, A., Meylan, P.A., Meylan, A.B., Godley, B.J. (2010). Turtle groups or turtle soup: patterns of dispersal of hawksbill turtles in the Caribbean. Molecular Ecology, 18, 441-4853. Blumenthal, J.M., Austin, T.J, Bothwell, J.B., Broderick, A.C., Ebanks-Petrie, G., Olynik J.R., Orr, M.F., Solomon, J.L., Witt, M.J., Godley, B.J. (2010) Life in (and out of ) the lagoon: insights into movements of green turtles using time depth recorders. Aquatic Biology, 9: 113-121. Considine, J.L. (1973). Mariculture and the turtling industry of Grand Cayman: mans response to a vanishing resource. M.A. Thesis. Department of Geography, University of South Carolina. Duncan, D.D. (1943). Capturing giant turtle in the Caribbean. National Geographic Magazine, 84:177-190. Echternacht, A.C., Burton, F.J. and Blumenthal, J.M. (2011). The amphibians and reptiles of the Cayman Isands: Conservation issues in the face of invasions. pp. 129-147 in: Hailey, A.,B.S. Wilson and J.A. Horrocks, eds. Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas, Vol. 1, Conservation Biology and the Wider Caribbean. Brill, Leiden. Wood, F.E. and Wood, J.R. (1994). Sea Turtles of the Cayman Islands. In: The Cayman Islands, natural history and biogeography. (eds M.A. Brunt and J.E. Davies), pp. 229-236. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

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