Sea Turtle Conservation in Ubatuba, Southeastern Brazil, a Feeding Area with Incidental Capture in Coastal Fisheries

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since 1991, Projeto TAMAR-IBAMA, the Brazilian sea turtle conservation program, has maintained a station in Ubatuba, State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil, a feeding area for sea turtles where incidental capture in coastal fisheries occurs. We present an overview of the local fishing methods, explain the conservation approach and field methods employed by TAMAR in the region, present biological data collected between 1991 and 1998, and provide an assessment of the conservation status of sea turtles in the Ubatuba region. During the study period, 2,515 captures of sea turtles were recorded, comprising four species: green turtles (Chelonia mydas, 98.4% of total captures, generally juveniles), loggerheads (Caretta caretta), hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea). Most of the data come from turtles incidentally captured in fishing gear, mainly by artisanal methods. The available data suggest that Ubatuba is a developmental habitat for juvenile green turtles.