Reproductive biology and conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta in the northern state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Projeto TAMAR-ICMBio began its activities in northern Rio de Janeiro in 1992, when the Bacia de Campos station was first established. The early fieldwork included mostly nesting surveys as well as beach monitoring and nest protection along 8 kilometers of the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro. Gradually, the size of the monitored area has increased, and since 2004-2005 about 100 km of nesting beaches have been monitored in each season. Currently, the Bacia de Campos station is responsible for the protection of approximately 1000 loggerhead nests per season (approximate average number of nests between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 nesting seasons).