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Marine Turtle Newsletter 72:18-19, © 1996

Marine Turtle Newsletter-Online

LEATHERBACK NESTING AT LA BLANQUILLA ISLAND, VENEZUELA

La Blanquilla Island (11°51'N, 63°36'W) covers a land area of 64.53 km2 (Cervigon 1992). The only permanent inhabitants are the military personnel of the Coast Guard Secondary Station of the Naval Army. Green, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles nest on the island, and the surrounding waters provide forage for green and hawksbill turtles (Medina et al. 1987; Pritchard and Trebbau 1984; Quijada and Martinez 1993; F. Rojas, pers. comm.). Green and hawksbill turtles are commonly observed in the clear waters year around, usually associated with 'turtle grass' (Thalassia testudinum) or coral reef habitat. During a PROVITA census of the yellow-shouldered parrot (Amazona barbadensis) in July 1994, leatherback turtle hatchlings were discovered at El Yaque beach. As this was the first report of this species from La Blanquilla, we quickly organized an investigation. Our goals included informing the Coast Guard about sea turtle conservation and discussing the possibilities of future conservation activities on the island.

We returned to the island on 6 August. We measured 15 leatherback hatchlings which had emerged in July and had been retained by Luis Marval (Aereotuy). Straight carapace lengths measured 6.93 - 7.72 cm. Unfortunately, the hatchlings had acquired a fungus and only four surviving turtles could be released on 7 August. Later that day we gave a lecture to the Naval Army personnel on the island about sea turtle biology and their endangered status in Venezuela. We also showed a video about the work of the TAMAR Sea Turtle Project in Brazil. On 7-8 August we surveyed five suitable nesting beaches (Table 1) and found 29 nests estimated to be more than one month old; 12 (41%) had been robbed. We also found evidence of the killing of turtles on these beaches.

Table 1. Survey results for five beaches on La Blanquilla Island, Venezuela, 7-8 August 1994.

Beach Comments
Cabecera 6 leatherback nests, olive ridley and green turtle carcasses
El Yaque 1 leatherback nest
Las Lisas
(El Americano)		 No nests found
[N.B. previously reported as a hawksbill nesting beach]
La Muerta 1 leatherback nest [N.B. 42 hatchlings (5.64-6.80 cm straight carapace length) were
later recovered by two fishermen, Florentino and José Gonzalez]
Manzanillo 17 leatherback nests; 2 green turtle nests; 2 hawksbill nests; 1
unidentified nesting crawl; green turtle carcasses
The island appears to be a relatively important site for leatherback nesting in Venezuela. Based on the number of nests found during this short survey, and the fact that turtles face slaughter during nesting, we recommend that a monitoring program be established. The personnel of the Coast Guard Station are enthusiastic about conducting such a program. We hope that our efforts in La Blanquilla Island will be the start of yet another successful co-operative endeavor between the Naval Army and conservationists on behalf of sea turtle conservation in Venezuela.

Acknowledgments: We are indebted to Aereotuy for providing our air transport, through an agreement with PROVITA, to the island. The Coast Guard Secondary Station kindly facilitated lodging and logistical support during our beach survey.

Cervigon, F. 1992. Las Dependencias Federales. Editorial Ex Libris. 159 pp.

Medina, G., B. Alvarez, J. Buitrago and H. Molero. 1987. Tortugas marinas en la costa caribeóa venezolana. Informe preparado para el II Simposio de las Tortugas de Atl†ntico Occidental (STAO/WATS). 53 pp.

Pritchard, P. C. H. and P. Trebbau. 1984. The Turtles of Venezuela. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 468 pp.

Quijada, A. and A. Martinez. 1993. Proyecto selección de Areas para la conservación de las tortugas marinas. Salida Isla de La Blanquilla. Informe interno de PROFAUNA. 7 pp.

HEDELVY J. GUADA, PROVITA, Apdo. 47.552, Caracas 1041-A; LURELVIA GARCIA, JUAN CARLOS DIAZ, GLADYS RODRIGUEZ, Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Univ. Oriente-Núcleo Neuva Esparta, Boca del Río, Isla de Margarita, Edo. Nueva Esparta; MARIANA ALBORNOZ and JUAN FRANCISCO PENOTH, PROVITA, Apdo. 47.552, Caracas 1041-A, VENEZUELA.