Biological characterizes of hawksbill turtle, endangered species and laying off the southern Iranian coasts

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), among other marine turtle species that was only in 1970 for the first time in 1996 as a species at risk and endangered species in the Red List of IUCN. The distribution of this species in south and north coasts of the Persian Gulf, Sistan and blaouchestan coasts (Makoran Sea) that is the largest number in the region in the northern parts of thePersian Gulf. This species has been seen on the islands of Hormuz, Shidvar Island, Qeshm, Omolkaram, Nakhilo, Bani Faroor, Lavan, Kish, Tahmadoon, Lark and Hengam. In the southern shores of the Persian Gulf most important egg-laying areas have been reported in coast of the UAEs, Kourian islands, Hargus, Gemma, Karan and in the Oman sea in Ras al-Hadd. The main factors threatening these species are: fishing, coastal and marine pollution, habitat destruction, collect turtle eggs and pressure hunter. In this study noted out some biological aspects of this valuable species.