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Marine Turtle Newsletter 2:2-3, © 1977

Olive Ridley Turtles and Leatherbacks Found in the Solomons

R.H. James
Principal Fishery Office, Ministry of Natural Resources, Honiara, Solomon Islands

On February 8th a Fisheries Division training team surprised two Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) mating on the surface off Guadalcanal. The turtles were hand-captured and taken back to Honiara where they were measured, weighed, tagged and photographed before being released in the same area as captured.

The Fisheries Division of the Soloman Islands Ministry of Natural Resources have started a Turtle project which although aimed at fishery management of the relatively common green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) species is also investigating the rarer species of turtles found in this area. A substantial population of the Leatherback (Dermochelys) and nesting areas have been identified which indicates that in the Solomons these creatures are not as rare as was commonly supposed. The Olive Ridleys captured were however the first recorded specimens of that species captured in the area. The male weighed 80 lbs and shell back measured 27" x 26.5", the female weighed 85 lbs. and shell back measured 28" x 27".

Part of the turtle program involves a tagging exercise and anyone finding any species of turtle bearing tags from the Solomon Islands is asked to return them with as much information as possible on weight, size, condition and place and time of capture to Fisheries Division, Ministry of Natural Resources, Honiara. A reward will be paid.