Status of Sea Turtles in American Samoa in 1991

Abstract

To evaluate the status of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas L.) and hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata L.) in American Samoa, residents in 58 coastal villages were interviewed, public sightings were monitored, and surveys on remote islands were conducted. We estimate that turtle populations have seriously declined in the Territory, and now total only about 120 nesting females (species combined) per year. Most turtles and eggs encountered by villagers are still harvested.