Hawksbill turtles are distributed throughout the world’s temperate and tropical coral reefs. The global population of hawksbill turtles has drastically decreased due to the loss of nesting grounds and fishing bycatch. It is classified as a Critically Endangered (CR) species on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and is threatened with extinction.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium managed by the Okinawa Churaumi Foundation is working together with conservationists on Okinawa Island. Research on sea turtle nesting and reproductive ecology was conducted from 1987 to 2017.
July is the height of the hawksbill turtle nesting season. 28 hawksbill turtle nests were confirmed at 11 Okinawa beaches, including Ogimi Village and Motobu Town.
As the population of hawksbill turtles in Okinawa is small, conservation efforts still need to be strengthened, including regulations on legal capture, and improved protection of the sandy beaches where nesting occurs.

Authors

Isao Kawazu, Kunio Komesu, Muneyuki Kayou, Takashi Inoue, Masakatsu Kino, Konomi Maeda, Shingo Fukada (Bold letters: Staff members of Okinawa Churashima Foundation)

Title

Nesting and reproductive ecology of the hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (Reptilia: Cheloniidae), on Okinawajima Island, Japan

Journal

The Biological magazine Okinawa