 The species' normally passive nature makes it relatively easy to catch.As such, it has been listed as a CITES Appendix II to prevent exportation, and local laws are in place to prevent them from being hunted.On 7 December 2010, the first hickatee conservation forum and workshop was held at the University of Belize, Belmopan campus presented by the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), in collaboration with the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), the Environmental Research Institute at UB and the Belize Fisheries Department.