Abstract

Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Linnaeus 1766) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas, Linnaeus 1758), two of the five marine turtles observed in the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, occur for feeding and nesting purposes on the shores of the leeward coast called « Côte sous le Vent », typically made up of a string of little coves and rocky points. A regular survey of turtle nests on the beaches and a close observation of the animals feeding on the coral reefs and sea grass beds from the Bay of Malendure to the village of Bouillante have been conducted respectively since 1997 and 2003. The results point out that the studied feeding areas shelter a population of hawksbill and green turtles which stands among the most important flock in Guadeloupe. Only a very weak number of hawksbill and green turtles are observed each year in the nesting areas of Bouillante. However, these sites are considered as the most frequented ones on the Côte sous le vent. With the development of the human terrestrial and nautical activities we have known these last years, anthropogenic pressures exerted on the nesting and feeding sites may interfere with the restoration of these two species even though a new start has been achieved with the enforcement of the 1991 protection law. A set of measures on behalf of the conservation of habitats as well as greater attention paid to the development of human inshore activities are mandatory if we want to guarantee the restoration of the Guadeloupe Leeward Coast marine turtle population.

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