Marine Turtle Conservation and Japan Illegal Trade in Turtle Shell Government Policy, Legislation, and Enforcement Action of JWCS
MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION AND JAPAN
The Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is one of seven marine turtle species inhabiting the world痴 oceans. Marine turtles first appeared on earth more than 100 million years ago and have now become a symbol for marine conservation around the world. Despite this, Hawksbill turtle populations have fallen by more than 80% over the past three generations, and are currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Factors relating to the decline of the Hawksbill include environmental destruction of nesting places, marine pollution, accidental capture associated with fishing, over-harvesting of eggs, and excessive capture for meat. The commercial trade in Hawksbill shell has been has also been identified as one of the most serious threats to Hawksbill populations today. International trade in Hawksbill turtles for commercial purposes has been banned, following its inclusion on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) in 1975. Japan ratified CITES in 1980, but entered a reservation on hawksbill and continued to import large quantities � approximately 30 tons by 1989, the equivalent of 30,000 individual turtles. But, as a result of persistent international criticism of continued trade, Japan withdrew its reservation on Hawksbills in July 1994. The import and export of Hawksbill turtles has been prohibited in Japansince then. Although steps have been taken in Japan for marine turtle conservation, illegal import of turtle shells still threatens the survival of these species.