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Bonaire Nature & Nature Organizations: Turtle Tale #2 February 2001
Bonaire Talk: Bonaire Nature & Nature Organizations: STCB (Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire): Turtle Tale #2 February 2001
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The curious hawksbill

Last Wednesday we were diving down south. It was late in the afternoon and pretty chilly. I am always very alert under water, always looking for my ancient friends. My buddy was all of a sudden signaling to me, pointing towards a specific direction in the coral. I was looking, didn't see anything. My eyes were searching along the reef, where was it? And then I saw him or her: a very tiny, lovely hawksbill, just two meters away from me. I felt pretty silly for not noticing it sooner, but these turtles are so perfectly camouflaged, it's amazing.

hawksbill

The hawksbill turtle is in the possession of a beautiful shell, which really blends in the coral reef. Unfortunately because of this gorgeous shell, the hawksbill is now one of the most endangered species in the world. The hawksbill is classified by the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group as 'Critically Endangered'. The trade in hawksbill shells already dates back in the time of the pharaohs and I even read that it is believed that Cleopatra's bathtub was made of hawksbill shell! (information from WWF-website).
Before 1991 you were still able to buy products that were made from hawksbill shells in shops on Bonaire.
Nowadays the hawksbill shell is still a much-wanted object. Japan and Cuba have tried to reopen the trade in hawksbill shells last year. Fortunately, they were unsuccessful.

Besides the shell, what other specific characteristics does the hawksbill turtle have? Well, first of all, when you take a look at the Latin name of this turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, it already reveals a lot. Imbrex means roof tile and this turtle was given this name because it's shell plates overlap, just like roof tiles on top of a roof! Another characteristic is its distinct beak. It resembles the bill of a hawk and therefore it's English name hawksbill. This sea turtle needs this beak to pick out sponges from the reef, since sponges make up this turtle's diet. Sponges have a large contribution in the reef and compete for space with other reef organisms. Therefore, the sponge predation of hawksbills is very important in this under water competition. The hawksbill turtle plays an important role in the coral reef ecosystem.

Hawksbills appear to have a curious character. They are known for approaching and even following divers. I am always pretty skeptical towards stories like that, but after reviewing my own hawksbill encounters, I must admit they are special creatures. On many occasions they came so close that I could have easily touched them (which I didn't, of course…). You'll never forget those close encounters.

Bonaire is in the unique possession of both a breeding population of hawksbills and a permanent population of juvenile hawksbill turtles in our waters. I've been lucky to witness a nesting attempt of a hawksbill three times in 1998. These females really show characteristic nesting behavior. They always go for the bushes. Klein Bonaire is the most important nesting area for hawksbills, due to the presence of bushes. Especially when one considers the fact that Bonaire hosts one of the last remaining nesting hawksbill populations, the realization of the Klein Bonaire national park is a must.

(courtesy of STCB)

 


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