Resumen

BUITRAGO, Joaquín  y  GUADA, Hedelvy J. La tortuga carey (eretmochelys imbricata) en venezuela. INCI [online]. 2002, vol.27, n.8, pp.392-399. ISSN 0378-1844.

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Some biological characteristics of its life cycle, like slow growth, late age at maturity, specialized diet and complex migration schemes, make difficult to implement protection measures. In Venezuela, hawksbills nest in various scattered beaches, mainly in the offshore islands and in Paria peninsula. Hatchlings live in pelagic environments, drifting with ocean fronts and eddies, until their appearance on benthic foraging grounds, usually coral reefs, at sizes over 20cm. Juveniles live in these environments for about two decades, in groups formed by individuals coming from different nesting areas. Adults also remain in coralline habitats, feeding mainly in sponges, and they migrate to nesting beaches, in bi or triennial cycles. Hawksbills face numerous threats. Hunting, mainly for its shell, created, when legal, an international trade involving thousands of turtles per year, driving the species to the border of extinction. Illegal hunting still continues, as well as incidental catches in various types of fisheries. Pollution and habitat destruction affect strongly their main habitat, coral reefs. The Sea Turtle recovery action plan for Venezuela as designed a series of measures to achieve an effective protection of hawksbills in the mid and longterm.

Palabras clave : Tortuga Carey ; Áreas de Anidación y Alimentación; Plan de Acción .