Captive breeding and Marketing of Turtles

The demand for Hawksbill turtle shell is high, and preliminary research by WMI indicated high growth rates of animals under captive conditions, and early attainment of maturity. However, the conditions required to stimulate reproduction in captivity for Hawksbill turtles are unknown. With successful nesting, small numbers of females would be required to produce sufficient numbers of hatchlings for farming purposes. An industry based on Hawksbill turtles could provide tangible economic benefits for indigenous landowners, and provide incentives for conservation of sea turtles and their habitats.