SEA TURTLE DISTRIBUTION AND NESTING GROUND IN CAMBODIA

Abstract

Two species of sea turtle, hawksbill and green turtle, are common in Cambodia. These two species can be seen and caught accidentally by fishermen who use stingray hooks and line. In Kep municipality 100 - 120 turtles are caught per year. Green turtles can be seen in Kampot province, in the eastern part of Koh Karang of Kep municipality and Koh Krass of Koh Kong province; hawksbill turtle occurs in Kampot province, west of Koh Angkrang, south of Koh Karang in Kep municipality, and in Koh Kong province. Moreover, both hawksbill and green turtles can be found in Sihanoukville. Sea turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs from September to April. Hawksbill turtles are seen to migrate to the beach of Koh Ses in the middle of September to lay its eggs. Recently, some nesting beaches of turtles have been identified by gathering information from interviewing the coastal fishermen.