Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the Gulf of Venezuela: an updated stranding assessment 2001-2014

Abstract

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is highly impacted by fisheries’ bycatch worldwide. This study updates and estimates the leatherback turtle stranding records from 2001 to 2014 in the Gulf of Venezuela. Eighty-seven stranded leatherback turtles were documented in the coast of the Gulf of Venezuela. Immature leatherback turtles were the most affected (85.5%) and the highest number of strandings were recorded during the dry season (56.3%). Our findings represent the minimum estimate of stranding events for the Gulf of Venezuela, especially considering the current lack of fisheries regulations. This is the latest update for the leatherback turtle strandings in the Gulf of Venezuela and could help to create new management solutions in the area aiming to minimize the impact on leatherback turtle populations in the Caribbean.

Keywords

• immature
• marine turtle
• strand
• IUU fishing
• Guajira Peninsula
• southern Caribbean