Distribution, size range and growth rates of hawksbill turtles at a major foraging ground in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Coiba National Park, Panama, is identified as one of the most significant foraging grounds for hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The study, conducted through six mark-recapture surveys between 2014 and 2017, captured and tagged 186 individuals, with 51 recaptured at least once. The size range of these turtles varied from 30.0 to 75.5 cm, predominantly comprising juveniles. Growth rates were highly variable, ranging from -0.78 to 7.1 cm per year, marking the first published growth data for juvenile hawksbills in this region. These findings highlight Coiba's critical role in supporting hawksbill populations and provide essential demographic insights for conservation strategies.

Llamas, I., Flores, E., Abrego, M., Seminoff, J., Hart, C., Pena, B., Alvarez, G., Poveda, W., Amorocho, D., & Gaos, A. (2017). Distribution, size range and growth rates of hawksbill turtles at a major foraging ground in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 45(3), 597–605. https://doi.org/10.3856/vol45-issue3-fulltext-9