RECORDS OF TURTLES AND SEA-SNAKES IN NEW-ZEALAND, 1837-1996

Seven species of turtles and sea snakes have reached New Zealand water s. Analysis of 207 records since 1837 shows that the two main species were Dermochelys coriacea and Pelamis platurus, followed by Chelonia m ydas. Many marine reptiles probably came from Australian populations a nd were assisted or carried to New Zealand by the East Australian Curr ent. A peak of records in 1989 coincided with an influx of tropical an d subtropical fishes in north-eastern New Zealand. Nearly 70% of all m arine reptile records were between January and May, with few records i n winter and spring. Records for D. coriacea declined throughout the y ear, and the same was true for Ch. mydas except for a secondary peak i n October. The summer-autumn peak in records for these two species may reflect an increased presence or activity during warmer weather. P. p laturus occurred mainly from March to May and was absent from August t o December, perhaps because no individuals survive after July. Marine reptiles were mostly recorded in the north of the North Island at 34-3 8 degrees S latitude; only D. coriacea was widely reported further sou th. None of the turtles measured had carapaces below 375 mm long, exce pt for Caretta caretta for which juveniles as small as 80 mm were reco rded. These juveniles may have hatched at the C. caretta breeding grou nds in south-east Queensland. All P. platurus were adults (>500 mm tot al length) but the smallest Laticauda colubrina was 295 mm. Nearly 70% of turtles, and some 80% of P. platurus, were alive when found. About 45% of turtles were washed ashore when found, and 41% were entangled in nets or lines, whereas 95% of P. platurus were found washed ashore.