DIVERSITY AND STATUS OF SEA-TURTLE SPECIES IN THE GULF OF GUINEA ISLANDS

In West Africa, the Gulf of Guinea islands are important nesting place s for four sea turtle species. The Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys oli vacea) and the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles nest on Biok o's southern beaches. The Green, Hawsbill and Leatherback turtles bree d on Principe and Sao Tome. The Leatherback turtle nests, at least, on Annobon. The Leatherback turtle is reported on the four islands for t he first time, and the Olive Ridley turtle for Bioko. Bioko is probabl y the most important island in terms of number of species and nesting individuals; the Green turtle being the most abundant species. However , the nesting places are at present restricted to barely 20 km along t he coastline. On Principe and Sao Tome, the most common species is the Hawksbill turtle. Sea turtle nesting populations are being severely d epleted on the four islands. The main causes of overexploitation are t he meat and egg trade on Bioko and the Hawksbill shell-craft trade on Sao Tome and Principe.