Attention is focused on nests and nesting females.
Because females rarely nest every year, but more usually at two, three or four year intervals, and because it is not possible to determine what proportion of the total mature female population is at the nest beach in any given year, population estimates are typically not precise. It is further complicated by the fact that nesting numbers on individual beaches can show extreme variation from one year to another. Most populations are known or thought to be severely depleted. SIZE Nesting female carapace length 65 to 85cm. Hawksbill nesting occurs in many places on small and isolated beaches little used by other turtles, as well as in the midst of more dense nesting by other species.