In 1857, the species was temporarily misdescribed as Eretmochelys imbricata squamata.

In 1843, Austrian zoologist Leopold Fitzinger moved it into the genus Eretmochelys. Linnaeus described the hawksbill sea turtle as Testudo imbricata in 1766, in the 12th edition of his Systema Naturae. Hawksbill sea turtle (top right) in a 1904 plate by Ernst Haeckel The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the international trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products derived from them. Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes. The World Conservation Union, primarily as a result of human fishing practices, classifies E. While this turtle lives part of its life in the open ocean, it spends more time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs. Hawksbill shells slightly change colors, depending on water temperature. imbricata is easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its sharp, curving beak with prominent tomium, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins. In general, it has a flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like limbs, adapted for swimming in the open ocean. The hawksbill's appearance is similar to that of other marine turtles. The species has a global distribution, that is largely limited to tropical and subtropical marine and estuary ecosystems. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. The hawksbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. There is something addictive about making a real-time, tangible difference to their lives.Expert range map of the hawksbill sea turtle After my doctorate, I will continue to focus on helping sea turtles in the Caribbean. Here, interactions between sea turtles and humans occur at every stage of the turtles’ lives and can affect their survival. Next year I hope to start a PhD, part of which will look at the conflict between tourism and sea-turtle survival in Barbados. I recently finished a master’s degree on the coloration of the Barbados bullfinch ( Loxigilla barbadensis) at the University of the West Indies, which hosts the turtle project. I have worked at the project for 15 years. We took rescued eggs and premature hatchlings to a makeshift intensive-care unit until they were ready for release. I also had to prepare for the expected swells as Hurricane Ida passed us by: when beaches flood, nests can wash away.

We took the hatchlings to a safe spot on the beach and released them. These included hatchlings wandering off in the wrong direction, putting them at risk of being hit by a car or eaten by predators such as rats and cats. I was on call 7 days a week for around 8 hours a day, responding to emergencies. For example, if we start seeing smaller turtles, this could indicate that they are maturing faster, or that food is scarce and the turtles are growing more slowly. These data help us to keep track of turtle health and survival.

We collect data such as shell length, which can tell us the age at which females become sexually mature and can indicate growth rates. We also run research projects that inform our conservation activities. As field director of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project, I run the day-to-day conservation activities and train and manage volunteers.

I am on Needham’s Point beach measuring a critically endangered female hawksbill turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata). It was turtle-nesting season when this photograph was taken one night in June.

Hawksbill seaturtle