Causas associadas aos encalhes de Tartarugas-oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea) nas principais praias de reprodução no Nordeste do Brasi

Abstract

The coasts of the states of Alagoas, Sergipe and northern Bahia, are considered an important sea turtle nesting ground. However, the region is also considered an important area for fishing activities, a fact that often leads to high rates of incidental capture of these animals. This study aims to analyze sea turtle stranding data, between the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 nesting seasons. The overall number of sea turtle strandings along the area was 4,831 (n=1,999), from which 41.8% were from L. olivacea. Almost all olive ridleys sampled were in good body condition, based upon subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue and musculature. This condition suggests that the turtles had been feeding recently and had a sudden death, probably as a result of getting caught in fishing gear. These animals did not show any other evidence to justify the stranding / death. Nesting turtles are generally in good health, since they are capable of reproducing, thus, we can also assume that these animals had died as a result of bycatch. Shrimp trawls has the higher bycatch rates for adult olive ridleys along the coasts of the states of Alagoas, Sergipe and northern Bahia. The incidental capture of animals at this life stage and with such biological importance, is one of the most serious threats to the survival of the olive ridley nesting population in Northeastern Brazil.