Occurrence of the Leathery Turtle in the Northern North Sea and off Western Norway

Abstract

DURING the late summer of 1956, three specimens of the leathery turtle or luth, Dermochelys coriacea (L.), were captured by Norwegian fishing vessels. The first of these was observed on July 28, swimming slowly northwards at a position of 60° 31′ N., 3° 50′ E., that is, about thirty miles off Skarvöy (county of Hordaland). Catching it took 2½ hr., during which time the animal dived repeatedly to three to five fathoms and was constantly accompanied by three or four pilot fishes (Naucrates). The specimen was a male, probably an adult, measuring 2,015 mm. from snout to tip of tail; length of carapace 1,530 mm., greatest width 865 mm. The weight was 390 kgm.