Conservation of MARINE inTURTLES the Mediterranean Sea © DEKAMER RECOMMENDATIONS SPECIES OCCURRING to managers and policymakers in the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a semi enclosed pelagic habitats An exceptional The current conservation status of Mediterranean marine turtles is based on the most updated scientific sea connected with the Atlantic Ocean in the Alboran nesting event knowledge and conservation efforts: this status cannot be considered as permanent, and protection of key through the Strait of Gibraltar, the Black Sea, around the of green turtle nesting sites throughout the region remains a priority requiring continuous attention and effort. Scientific was recorded in Sea through the Marmara Sea, and the Red Balearic Islands knowledge has radically improved over recent decades. However, knowledge levels are not homogeneous, the summer of Sea via the Suez Channel. It has a coastline and southwest with more research efforts allocated to loggerhead turtles, some geographic areas, countries or topics, and 2019 in the Kuriat of 46,000 km and is surrounded by 21 Italy. Demersal with results that are not always comparable. Significant gaps exist from the most fundamental topics, such as Islands, Tunisia countries in addition to overseas territories. habitats of adults representing the the distribution of major nesting sites and total number of egg clutches laid annually in the Mediterranean, to are localised in western most more specific topics like age at maturity, survival rates, at-sea abundance and mortality, and behaviour. nesting record of Out of the seven Out of the seven species of sea turtles the Eastern area, the green turtle. species of sea currently inhabiting the world’s oceans, in the Nile Delta TOP turtles currently three can be found in the Mediterranean and in front of PROPOSED RESEARCH inhabiting the but only two of them breed in the region: Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Northern PRIORITIES5 IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: 5CONSERVATION PRIORITIES: world’s oceans, loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and green Adriatic Sea and the wide Tunisian Set up long-term in-water Year-round protection of key three can be found in the (Chelonia mydas). continental platform. The major breeding monitoring programmes in key feeding and wintering grounds. Mediterranean grounds are located in Greece, Turkey, foraging areas for assessing sea Continue current conservation but only two There are also occasional records of Cyprus and Libya, with low numbers of egg turtle abundance and trends. methods at nesting areas threat of them breed leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), olive clutches laying in several other countries Assess distribution and level of (in situ protection, relocations, in the region: and Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea around the Mediterranean (Table 1). loggerheads nesting activity in all countries, light management, etc.). and Lepidochelys kempii). with special focus in Lybia. Educate fishers about on-board (Caretta caretta) and green Green turtle nesting is confined to the Quantify bycatch (including sea turtle handling best practices. (Chelonia mydas). Mediterranean loggerheads are the easternmost part of the Mediterranean, small-scale fisheries) rates and Seasonal protection of main smallest specimens of this species in mostly in Cyprus and Turkey, and fewer intentional killings in associated migratory corridors. the world, and their stable nesting areas sites in Egypt, Israel and Lebanon, as well mortality, key foraging areas and Test and implement bycatch range from the Western Mediterranean as some Greek Islands in the Cretan Sea. migratory pathways. mitigation approaches. to the Levantine coast in the East, with It is estimated that more than 2,200 egg Understand how climate most of the estimated 8,000 egg clutches clutches are laid each year. Information change might impact sex ratios, laid annually occurring in the Eastern on post-hatching dispersal and the geographical range and phenology basin, especially in Greece. Loggerheads occurrence of high densities of small Estimate/improve estimates of are known to occur in large numbers in oceanic, juvenile green turtles, supported demographic parameters. different areas of the Mediterranean Sea, by the high incidence of stranding of with juveniles from the Mediterranean small turtles on the south coast of Turkey population and early adults that migrate suggest that the Levantine basin is the from the Atlantic and are abundant in main nursery area for this species (Table 2). MAIN ACTIONS TO REDUCE THREATS: 6 Migration routes of sea turtles populations based on mark/recapture methods and satellite tracking between the Mediterranean Sea and multiple pelagic and coastal foraging and nesting regions located Eliminate intentional Reduce impact of Control pollution in temperate and tropical waters. killing or exploitation coastal development originating from land of sea turtles with safeguard actions and vessels; reducing

and eggs (e.g. minimise photo- at sea arrival of municipal and runoff Observed movements of pollution) in nesting sites including effluents and solid waste loggerhead sea turtles from the Mediterranean into the Atlantic Sea Observed movements Monitor and reduce Estimate and reduce Develop spatial-temporal of loggerhead sea turtles from the Atlantic into the fisheries bycatch boats strike in closures to fisheries Mediterranean Sea. important areas of important areas for Observed movements of leatherback sea turtles from for marine marine turtles Guyana through the Atlantic turtles Possible movements of loggerhead sea turtles between Cabo Verde and the Mediterranean. 2 3 Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean

Table 1. Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nesting locations in the Mediterranean with >10 nests/yr in the most recent 5 years period. Table 2. Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting Beach length referred to surveyed length. Based on Casale et al. 2018, Hochscheid et al., 2018 and Katsiyiannis, 2019. locations in the Mediterranean, with nests/yr > 10 and nests/km-yr > 3. Beach length refered to surveyed length. Species nesting in REGION NESTING LENGTH AVERAGE REGION NESTING LENGTH AVERAGE Modified from Casale et al., 2018 BEACH/AREA (KM) Nests/year BEACH/AREA (KM) Nests/year (Most recent 5-yr period) (Most recent 5-yr period) the Mediterranean Greece Southern Kyparissia Bay 9.5 1403 Cyprus Alagadi (Alakati) 1.7 59 REGION NESTING LENGTH AVERAGE

BEACH/AREA (KM) Nests/year © DEKAMER Greece Laganas Bay, Zakinthos 5.5 938 Greece Koroni 2.7 56 (Most recent 5-yr period) Some marine turtles nest and Turkey Anamur 12 791 Lebanon El-Mansouri 1.4 55 Turkey Kazanli 4.5 365 Cyprus Chrysochou Bay 12 658 Cyprus East Coast 6.6 53 feed in close areas, while Turkey Akyatan 22 322 Turkey Belek 16 628 Turkey Kale-Demre 8.5 52 others migrate great distances Turkey Samandag 14 306 Turkey Dalyan 4.7 307 Cyprus North Coast 2.7 50 Cyprus Ayios Philon & Ronnas Beach 3.2 220 between their winter or feeding Greece Rethymno, Crete 10.8 275 Greece Lefkas Island 17.13 50 Turkey Sugözu 3.4 213 grounds and their nesting Cyprus West Coast 5 249 Cyprus Guzelyali (Vasilia) 1 45 Cyprus Alagadi(Alakati) 1.7 154 Greece Lakonikos Bay 23.5 190 Greece Messaras Bay, Crete 8.1 45 beaches once they reach Syria Latakia 12 140 Turkey Fenike-Kumluca 21 184 Cyprus South Karpaza 7.6 41 Turkey Alata 3 125 sexual maturity. Adult females Turkey Patara 14 180 Cyprus South East Karpaz 7.2 41 Turkey Davultepe 2.8 113 usually return to the beaches Turkey Kizilot 8.5 138 Cyprus Tatlisu (Akanthou) 0.3 38 Cyprus West Coast 5 108 close to where they were born Turkey Demirtas 7.8 137 Libya Semeda 9.4 34 Cyprus Akdeniz Beach (Morphou Bay) 8.6 70

Turkey Göksu Delta 34.7 124 Greece Mounda, Kefalonia 2.8 29 © ANNA LAMAJ FOR ARCHELON to lay their eggs, normally Cyprus South Karpaz 7.6 59 Libya Al-Gbeba 5.7 122 Libya Ain Ghazala 1.4 26 Cyprus North Coast 2.7 11 using the same beach each Libya Al-Arbaeen 8.5 119 Greece Romanos 2.7 25 year thereafter. As hatchlings Libya Al-Metefla 4.5 104 Libya West Camp 2.5 25 Greece Northern Kyparissia Bay 34 102 Turkey Alata 3 25 emerge from the sand they Colors in tables indicating 1. Loggerhead turtle Cyprus Akdeiz Beches (Morphou Bay) 8.6 101 Libya Al-Gwezat 5.5 23 immediately start crawling the different protected areas eggs Turkey Cirali 3.2 86 Tunisia Great Kuriat* 0.9 22 2. Relocation of a National Designated Areas towards the sea and swim into Turkey Dalaman 10.4 86 Libya Al Arar 7 22 doomed nest in Sites of Community Importance (EU Natura2000) deeper waters. Life for baby Turkey Fethiye 8.3 84 Cyprus North Karpaz 4.4 22 Laganas Bay, Libya Al--Thalateen 5 73 Greece Kerkyra Island (Corfu) 7.8 20 National Designated Areas and Natura 2000 sites Zakynthos, Greece turtles is risky: perhaps only one Greece Beaches adjancent to Kiparissia town 3.5 68 Libya Al Malfa 1.5 20 International Designated Areas (RAMSAR sites) 3. Protecting hatchlings in a few hundred or a thousand Greece Kos Island 23 60 Libya Eogla 3.9 17 * Proposed MPA emerging in Kyparissia Bay, hatchlings will survive to

Greece Bay of Chania, Crete 13.1 60 Libya Elmabulha 5.3 16 © JULIA COSTESCU FOR ARCHELON Greece become an adult marine turtle. 4 5 Main fisheries types in the Mediterranean. Most capture marine turtles. MAIN THREATS affecting marine turtles in the Mediterranean Depth (m)

0 The Mediterranean is a bountiful sea, with the increase of air and seawater but holds many dangers for marine temperatures, sea level rise and severity turtles. It has a relatively small surface of storm events are also threats impacting 20 area (2,510,000 km2) but more than 10 sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Turtles million people live along its coast. It is are also vulnerable to factors such as BENTHIC also one of the world’s largest global cross-continental maritime traffic, high tourist destinations, attracting almost a fishing pressure, often involving practices 90 PELAGIC third of the world’s international tourists which are hazardous to marine turtles every year. Although characterized by and to marine pollution which affects the CONTINENTAL SHELF its beautiful natural and cultural heritage whole Mediterranean, from the beaches to 250 and rich biodiversity, the Mediterranean the deep-sea floor. is also a troubled and over-exploited sea, 400 where marine turtles are threatened by a Nonetheless, given the threats to these 800 range of factors. Intense development, species, significant efforts by naturalists, SLOPE ©IUCN 2020 overuse of the marine and coastal zones, the general public and administrations Artisanal fishing (gillnets) Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) gillnets Bottom trawl fishing and agriculture are causing degradation are needed to conserve them for Purse-seiners Surface longline fishing of marine future generations. The Mediterranean Although physically and and terrestrial population of the loggerhead turtle is physiologically perfectly habitats, including currently classified as “Least Concern” adapted to live at sea, disturbance and under the Red List (RL) criteria. This status MARINE TURTLE BYCATCH IN MEDITERRANEAN FISHERIES sea turtles depend on the destruction of has been achieved and maintained thanks terrestrial environment nesting beaches. entirely to long-term conservation efforts. Bycatch, the unintentional capture habitats, movement patterns, Adriatic Sea, Egypt, Israel, Tunisia during one of the most of non-targeted species during environmental conditions, depth and Turkey. Pelagic longlines Climate change- Mediterranean green turtle populations vital phases of their fishing operations, has been and sea turtle survival to fishing mainly interact with sea turtles in life cycle: nesting and driven alterations have yet to be assessed. described as an important factor gear) affect sea turtle bycatch the water column, while sea turtles incubation of their eggs causing the decline of marine rates and impact on their survival. feed on the pelagic prey or migrate on coastal beaches. species worldwide, including between different basins. Other vulnerable species such as sea A recent review of incidental gears seem to have a negligible turtles. Data on sea turtles bycatch catch of vulnerable species in impact on sea turtles, although in the Mediterranean Sea have the Mediterranean estimated that impacts vary and certain practices increased over time and become between 124,000 and 150,000 could have a considerable impact more reliable as monitoring sea turtles can be bycaught in the in some areas. programs (including on-board Mediterranean and that between observers, interviews with fishers 33,000 and 39,000 of them might In the last decades, a number Turtle failed crawl in Natura 2000 site in Cyprus Hatchling lost in tyre tracks. Kyparissia Bay, Peloponnese, Greece and logbooks) have increased die from different fishing activities of research studies, particularly along with data standardization. on an annual basis1. Bottom with pelagic longlines, have been However, the current available trawls and pelagic longlines are undertaken to find technical information is still biased since the fisheries mainly impacting sea solutions to reduce sea turtle efforts have been unequal over the turtles, with around 50,000 and bycatch. Further efforts are still Mediterranean and Black Sea. 30,000 annual capture-events, needed to implement mitigation respectively. Bottom trawl and measures taking the initial results Interactions between sea turtles fixed gears (e.g. gillnets, trammel with pelagic longlines as well as and fisheries occur wherever nets, combined nets) mainly to reduce sea turtle bycatch in fishing activities overlap with interact with sea turtles in the bottom trawl and in fixed nets. sea turtle habitats and migratory foraging habitat, while sea turtles Involving fishers and establishing corridors. Here, different feed on the bottom or rest on a permanent cooperation with factors (e.g. fishing effort, gear the seabed in wintering grounds. them in the conservation of sea type, practices on board) and The impact of the latter could be turtles is a fundamental factor environmental and biological most important especially in the to increase the chances of sea parameters (e.g. sea turtle continental shelves of the northern turtles’ survival.

1. Carpentieri et al. 2020 © J.A. CAMIÑAS © JULIA MCDONALD FOR ARCHELON

6 7 Table 3. Research and conservation priorities CONSERVATION MEASURES for the population of marine turtles in the Mediterranean. Based on Casale et al., 2018.

The future of marine turtles will for research and conservation of be determined by our current and Mediterranean marine turtles, ranked RESEARCH CONSERVATION future actions. The development and in order of priority and potential PRIORITIES PRIORITIES RANK implementation of good management conservation impact. Some research Set up long-term in-water monitoring plans for the conservation of these species requires development of novel methods Year-round protection of key feeding programmes in key foraging areas to assess should be an urgent priority. The emphasis or practices (priorities 2, 4 and 10) 1 and wintering grounds sea turtles abundance and population trends should be on improving our existing technologically challenging, whilst knowledge and creating a more integrated others such as research on Libyan Continue current conservation methods at Assess distribution and level of approach to marine and coastal activities populations of sea turtles are challenging nesting areas (in situ protection, relocations, nesting activity in all countries, 2 light management, etc.) and enlarge efforts on around the Mediterranean. due to the current country´s situation. including for Caretta caretta in Libya* Measures to reduce turtle bycatch those sites with weaker implementation INCREASE EFFORTS IN PRIORITY both through protection (priorities Quantify bycatch (including small-scale Educate fishers about best practice for RESEARCH AREAS AND GAPS 1, 4 and 6) and through actions to fisheries), rates and intentional killings in key 3 on-board sea turtle handling In spite of major improvements in recent implement technical modifications of foraging areas and migratory pathways decades, significant gaps remain in our fishing equipment (priorities 5 and 7) are Understand how climate change might knowledge of the ecology and behaviour politically challenging. Other priorities Develop a seasonal protection scheme through impact sex ratios, geographical of sea turtles. Available information and in conservation and knowledge, require 4 main migratory corridors distribution and phenology datasets are not homogeneous and not significant investment of effort and Test and Implement bycatch mitigation always compatible, with a a greater focus resources but are technically feasible. Estimate/improve estimates of approaches (e.g. use of TED in bottom trawlers or on loggerhead turtles, as well as on demographic parameters 5 LED lights in set nets) particular geographical areas or research One good and important contribution topics. Areas where important gaps to conservation efforts will be making Improve population abundance estimates and Enhance the effectiveness of Marine Protected remain include the distribution of major available the large quantities of hitherto understand the connectivity and demographic Areas (MPAs) and the designation of large nesting sites, the total annual number of unpublished data. Further efforts are implications among Atlantic and Mediterranean 6 trans-boundary MPAs programmes for sea egg clutches laid at some needed to update current information sea turtle populations turtles (e.g. Adriatic region)* There is a need to nest sites, age of female on nesting activity which is almost a Develop effective monitoring programmes in pelagic improve and expand green turtles at maturity, decade old for many sites, whilst there are Assess the movement patterns of and near-shore fisheries operations on incidental networking and survival rates, at-sea significant geographical and annual gaps adults from key breeding sites 7 take of sea turtles by all Mediterranean countries. cooperation in the abundance, mortality and in data. There is also a lack of published Mediterranean to other aspects of behaviour. data on the morbidity and mortality effects Identify development habitats of improve exchange and Continue efforts on capacity building for marine post-hatchling and small turtles, as well use of knowledge of Table 3 presents a of pollutants and particularly the effect of 8 turtle conservation as dispersal and settlement patterns conservation of marine breakdown of the most plastic ingestion, including the impact of turtles in the region. important actions needed phthalates released from ingested plastics. Assess the movement patterns of juveniles 9

(*) Only for Caretta caretta

Monitoring of nests in Kiparisia Bay, Greece Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta Green turtle Chelonia mydas © MERLIN POTTER ADAMS FOR ARCHELON © DEKAMER © CANER CANDEMIR

8 9 IMPROVE THE AVAILABILITY AND ENFORCE AND INCREASE MARINE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION FOR TURTLE RESCUE CENTRES ALL MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES TO IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ASSESS THE STATUS OF POPULATIONS

There are about 40 rescue centres and In the 1980s, recognition of the The IUCN Mediterranean Marine Turtle first-aid facilities in the Mediterranean importance of dedicated rescue facilities Specialist Group coordinates the specializing in recovering and providing for marine turtles led to the establishment compilation of quantitative information veterinary treatment to injured sea turtles. of the first rescue centres in the of marine turtle populations in the Although they have an ultimate aim to Mediterranean in Italy, by the Stazione Mediterranean. However, regular data reintroduce successfully rehabilitated Zoologica Anton Dohrn in 1992, followed is only available from some countries animals to the wild, their conservation by ARCHELON in Greece in 1994. Others (e.g. Greece, Turkey and Cyprus) and work generally operates on individual followed, but the provision of facilities lacking for others. animals and not on the populations or and treatments in different centres was CONSERVATION IN ACTION species as a whole. Rescue centres inconsistent. Over the next two decades, The main breeding areas for both Marine turtle conservation on nesting beaches perform two important functions: Through the need to standardize and regulate sea loggerhead and green turtles, are beaches started in Cyprus during the early 1970s, in Greece public involvement and turtle rescue was recognized, of the Eastern basin. Information from Through emotional and Turkey in the 1980s, and in Israel by the fundamental research, resulting in the publication some countries as Egypt, Libya and Syria involvement, rescue 1990s. Surprisingly, important turtle nesting sites they can inform local of guidelines for marine is lacking and conditions for researchers centres have the continued to be discovered into the 2000s. For citizens, tourists and turtle rescue activities by the in these countries need to improve. power to influence the those countries in the Mediterranean that host the coastal and marine conscience of their Regional Activity Centre for The most important areas for non- majority of marine turtle nestings, nest protection managers about the visitors and thus to Specially Protected Areas breeding adults, immatures and has been the principal conservation focus, led status and threats to sea foster environmentally (RAC/SPA) of the Barcelona juveniles are less well-known and there responsible behaviour. by local communities, non-profit groups, and turtle populations, as well Convention, representing is a need for further research. The volunteers. Marine turtle rescue and rehabilitation as on general issues about a first step toward a conservation challenges resulting from centres play an important role in environmental the marine environment. Stakeholders are Mediterranean-wide sea turtle rescue the geopolitical complexity of the region, education and awareness. Conservation- also able to contribute directly to research network. Development of the first registry combined with a lack of information oriented activities focusing on the marine life of projects by contributing data such as of Mediterranean rescue centres showed on some fundamental aspects of the sea turtles and especially on fisheries and turtle sightings and by-catch, while experts a very uneven distribution, with a lack biology of Mediterranean sea turtles have bycatch started in the 1980s. The 1980s saw at rescue centres also contribute to the of centres in some African and Eastern stimulated periodic conservation reviews also the inauguration of important national and information available on sea turtles through countries, while other countries had of both breeding species. However, efforts international grassroots turtle conservation NGOs their research into physiology, demography, several (such as Italy, which hosts more at national and regional levels need to in the Mediterranean, including ARCHELON and parasitology and other health-related fields. than half of the existing centres). increase to fill gaps in data availability to MEDASSET as well as local associations. adequately assess the conservation status and trends of the populations. Rescue Centres, First Aid Stations and other facilities for recovering and providing veterinary treatment to injured sea turtles. The initiative stemmed from Ullmann & Stachowitsch is currently managed by MEDASSET. More information: www.medasset.org/our-projects/Sea-Turtle-Rescue-Map

Assessing beach suitabilty and sporadic nesting in Albania © E. SACDANAKU © E. SACDANAKU

10 11 ENFORCE THE EXISTING NATIONAL Concerning Specially Protected Areas AND INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION and Biological Diversity of the Barcelona Convention (Mediterranean region) (SPA The following are some of the international Protocol) treaties, conventions and agreements • Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the that have contemplated regulations and Conservation of Natural Habitats and protection measures for sea turtles in the of Wild Flora and Fauna (EU Habitats Mediterranean Sea: Directive) • General Fisheries Commission for the • Convention on International Trade in Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Agri­culture Organization of the United Flora (CITES) Nations (FAO) • Convention on the Conservation of • Inter­national Commission for the European Wildlife and Natural Habitats Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) (Bern Convention or BCCEW) on bycatch in tuna and tuna-like fisheries • Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Some Mediterranean countries also (Bonn Convention or CMS) have a National Action Plan or specific • Convention for the Protection of the legislation for the protection of sea turtles Marine Environment and the Coastal and their critical habitats. Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention), with the Mediterranean A summary of the international legislation Action Plan (MAP) and the Protocol is included in Table 4.

Table 4. IUCN Conservation status of sea turtle species and relevant international agreements, directives and conventions concerning sea turtles of the Mediterranean sea with listed annexes, applicable recommendations and regulations.

IUCN RED LIST RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION CATEGORY AND CRITERIA OF WILDLIFE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN (year of publication)

COMMON SCIENTIFIC GLOBAL MEDITERRANEAN EU SPA/BD CITES CMS GFCM ICCAT NAME NAME Habitats Protocol Appendices Appendices Recommendation Recommen- Directive (Barcelona dation Annexes Conven- tion) Annexes

LEAST Loggerhead Caretta VULNERABLE CONCERN II, IV turtle caretta (2017) (2015)

Chelonia ENDANGERED II Green turtle Not Evaluated II, IV mydas (2004)

Leatherback Dermochelys VULNERABLE Not Aplicable IV turtle coriacea (2013) GFCM/35/2011/4 Rec: 13-11 I I, II Lepidochelys VULNERABLE on the incidental on the Olive ridley Not Aplicable – – olivacea (2008) bycatch of sea by-catch of turtles in fisheries sea turtles CRITICALLY in the GFCM in ICCAT Lepidochelys Kemp’s ridley ENDANGERED Not Aplicable IV II Competence Area fisheries kempii (2019)

CRITICALLY Hawksbill Eretmochelys ENDANGERED Not Aplicable IV II turtles imbricata (2008)

CRITICALLY African Trionyx VULNERABLE ENDANGERED _ II II – softshell turtle triunguis (2016) (1996) MAIN SPECIES

COLORS and ABBREVIATIONS: IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Resident populations CMS: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory species of Wild GFCM-FAO: General Fisheries Commission for the Regular and occasional visitors animals (Bonn Convention) Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture­ CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Wild Fauna and Flora ICCAT: Inter­national Commission for the SPA/BD: Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Conservation of Atlantic Tunas Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) ZOOLOGICA NAPOLI © SANDRA HOCHSCHEID FOR STAZIONE 12 Female frequency of 2 nests per female per season, loggerheads this corresponds to approximately 1,822 MAIN THREATS TO LOGGERHEADS are considered nesting females per year. Average clutch sexually mature size is 110 eggs and mean hatching Juvenile loggerheads forage at 21-34 years* success is approx. 56-86%. throughout the Western Mediterranean in open deep waters and the shallow continental shelf. In the Eastern Loggerheads are highly migratory, with Mediterranean, adults tend to frequent adults capable of traveling hundreds to the shallow continental platform of thousands of kilometres between foraging the Northern Adriatic and the Tunisian and breeding areas at the onset and end of shelf, while juveniles remain more the breeding season (April – September). An in open waters. The main threats unknown proportion of the adult female and to loggerheads include coastal male turtles in the foraging areas prepare for development and associated activities reproduction in any one year. For most adult as well as predation in all countries females this preparation can take more than where nesting occurs. Killings of a year. As they develop, juveniles initially turtles are reported for all countries, move into the open sea where they feed on highlighting the probably significant macro-plankton, then gathering in coastal impact of small-scale fisheries feeding areas before they reach sexual in addition to semi-industrial and industrial fisheries. Boat strikes, marine maturity. Loggerhead turtles are protected debris pollution and chemical pollutants throughout the Mediterranean but the level all constitute additional threats to this and nature of protection vary between species. countries. The IUCN Red List considers that the Mediterranean population is increasing

© KOSTAS PAPAFITSOROS © KOSTAS and is catalogued as “Least Concern” although several conservation measures are needed to maintain this status. LOGGERHEAD,

Caretta caretta Table 5. Changes in average nest numbers per year in main nesting sites of loggerheads in the Mediterranean Sea*. Note that sparse or occasional nesting occurs in other Mediterranean beaches. Mediterranean loggerheads are the Loggerheads can be found throughout the COUNTRY NESTING SITE AVERAGE NESTS YR-1 AVERAGE NESTS YR-1 CHANGE smallest specimens of this species in the Mediterranean but nesting is concentrated BEFORE 1999 AFTER 2000 (%)

world, and their nesting ranges from the in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the Greece Zakynthos (Laganas Bay) 1301.3 1084.4 -16.7 Western Mediterranean to the Levantine highest numbers of nests in Greece, Southern Kyparissia Bay 580.7 987 +70.0 coast in the East, with an estimation of Turkey and Cyprus. Libya is probably also Rethymno, Crete 387.3 275 -29.0 Lakonikos Bay 191.9 190 -1.0 more than 8000 egg clutches laid annually. important but there is no recent information Bay of Chania, Crete 114.9 74.8 -34.9 available. Israel and Tunisia are of secondary Messaras Bay, Crete 53.5 46.9 -12.3 importance as breeding grounds, as are Turkey Dalyan 165 269 +63.0 other countries for which there are few or no Dalaman 73 92.1 +26.2 recent data, such as Egypt and Lebanon. Fethiye 124 89.4 -27.9 Patara 52.5 117.7 +124.2 Loggerhead Loggerheads exhibit consistently low turtle population Cirali 34 66.3 +95.0 nesting activity levels at sites in the Western abundance Belek 129.7 638 +391.9 (including adults) basin in France, Italy, Malta and Spain but Göksu Delta 64.6 123.8 +91.6 is estimated to be numbers in the Eastern Mediterranean are Cyprus Akdeniz Beaches (Morphou Bay) 59.6 84.8 +42.3 1,197,087 increasing. Egg clutches are documented Alagadi (Alakati) 65.7 54.1 -17.7 East coast 40.9 48.6 +18.8 – 2,364,843 annually at 25 major and 72 minor nesting North coast 37 37.9 +2.4 individuals. sites on 926.7 km of coast, considering Tatlisu (Akanthou) 30.9 36.6 +18.4 Available data major nesting sites those with >20 nests/ Chysochou Bay 119.8 239.1 +99.6 shows a positive West coast 57.1 98.3 +72.2 yr and >10 nests/km/yr and minor nesting trend of nests Tunisia Kuriat Island 10.2 13.5 +32.4 counts for the sites are those with <20 nests/yr or <10 (*) Based on Hochscheid

© DEKAMER TOTAL 3693.6 4667.3 +26.4 species. nests/km/yr. With an estimated clutch et al. 2018 14 15 Female age during the first half of the 20th century but at maturity is monitoring data now show an increase MAIN THREATS TO GREEN TURTLE unknown but in nesting activity consistent with an average clutch increase in the number of mature females. Main threats to green turtles size is 114 are similar to those affecting eggs and mean loggerheads, exacerbated by their hatching success Green turtles share the same threats as more limited range in the Eastern 70-77% loggerhead turtles, including those from Mediterranean. In addition to coastal development, pressure from widespread regional threats such fisheries and pollution. Green turtles as habitat degradation, pollution, are legally protected throughout the and fishing bycatch, illegal trade of Mediterranean as is the case of other both species is particularly acute in marine turtle species. The species is Egypt. Trade in turtle products has globally threatened and is classified as been reported since the beginning “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List of of the 20th century and consumption threatened species (see figure at page 18). is a tradition documented since at least from the 1970s to the present, predominantly in Alexandria and Port Said. There may also be some limited consumption in other countries.

Table 6. Changes in average nest numbers per year (YR-1) in main nesting sites of green turtles in the Mediterranean Sea*. Note that accidental or occasional nesting occurs in other Mediterranean beaches. © ZELJKOKCANMORE

COUNTRY NESTING SITE AVERAGE NESTS YR-1 AVERAGE NESTS YR-1 CHANGE BEFORE 1999 AFTER 2000 (%)

Cyprus Alagadi (Alakati) 46 86.1 +87.2 Akdeniz Beaches (Morphou Bay) 46 48.1 +4.6 GREEN TURTLE, North coast 19.3 13.1 -32.1 West coast 44 70.8 +60.9 Turkey Akyatan 323 319.1 -1.2 Chelonia mydas Kazanli 149.2 255.8 +71.4 Samandag 56 212.3 +279.1 Green turtle nesting sites are confined to Most nests occur in Cyprus, Syria and TOTAL 683.5 1005.3 +47.1 the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey, with smaller numbers in Egypt, (*) Based on Hochscheid et al. 2018 Israel and Lebanon and sporadic nesting Mediterranean green turtle populations on Crete.There are no recent quantified are largely genetically isolated although data from Egypt or Lebanon. A single there may be some connectivity with other site at Akyatan in Turkey supports populations through the movement of approximately 20% of the total number Excavation of nest Zakynthos, Greece Collision boat propeller in Zakynthos, Greece males. Juveniles are known to use coastal of nests in the Mediterranean and is the waters during development (see map on largest known nesting beach in the region. the cover page). Exceptionally nesting events are also recorded, with the example of Rethymno and Messara Bay in Crete (Greece). An additional developmental habitat for green turtles has been identified in Lakonikos Bay (Greece). Current knowledge Estimation of total estimates that 1,164 - 2,674 egg clutches population ranges are laid annually in 12 major and 53 minor from 262,727 to 1,252,283 nesting sites in Cyprus, Syria and Turkey. individuals. Available data shows a positive trend of Mediterranean green turtle populations are number of green turtle nests. thought to have dramatically declined © GEORGE RALLIS FOR ACHELON © ANNA LAMAJ FOR ACHELON 16 17 Bay of Biscay and Northern Portugal, Leatherbacks feed on jellyfish and other travelling further south, between oceanic invertebrates, which they trap Southern Portugal and Morocco during in their oesophagus with special spiny winter and spring. During migration and structures. Floating plastic bags in the movement between foraging grounds, sea can be mistaken for jellyfish and kill some individuals are lured into the rich leatherbacks that eat them. waters of Cadiz bay, where productivity is enhanced by outflows from the Leatherback turtles are globally Guadiana and Guadalquivir Rivers. These threatened and classed as Vulnerable individuals may then disperse into the in the IUCN Red List of threatened Mediterranean*. species due to anthropogenic impacts on populations worldwide.

IUCN Red List Categories at the regional level IUCN (2012) EXTINCT (EX) + EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW) REGIONALLY EXTINCT (RE)

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) Adecuate Data ENDANGERED (EN)

VULNERABLE (VU) Extinction Risk Evaluated NEAR THREATENED (NT) Elegible for Regional LEAST CONCERN (LC) -

© JOSE C. BÁEZ Assessment

Leatherback turtle stranded in a beach in Malaga, Spain DATA DEFICIENT (DD) All species NOT APPLICABLE (NA)

NOT EVALUATED (NE) LEATHERBACK TURTLE, Dermochelys coriacea Artisanal boats using trammel nets

The leatherback turtle is a species Leatherbacks have been recorded in with a cosmopolitan global range with waters of all Mediterranean countries distinct populations in the Atlantic and and have been known since ancient Pacific Oceans. The population in the times. However, they are probably under- Atlantic Ocean ranges across the entire represented in historical accounts as they region, including the Mediterranean Sea. were never commercially exploited and Leatherback turtles occur in the Atlantic are difficult to transport in fishing boats ocean, from tropical countries such as due to their great size. Reports mainly Guyana in South America and Gabon derive from dead, stranded animals. Most in central Africa, to the cold waters of reports suggest that they have been rare Alaska which they can tolerate due to their but regular visitors throughout the region. capacity for thermoregulation. Large adult leatherbacks may have a carapace Leatherbacks are the most pelagic of 180 cm long, with a flipper-span of the sea turtles. Individuals nesting in the 270 cm and weight 500 kg, although the north-west Atlantic typically migrate east largest ever recorded had a carapace to feed off the west coast of Europe and 291 cm long and weighed 916 kg. They North Africa, mainly between 30° and can dive for as long as an hour to depths 45° north. In summer and autumn, they

as much as 1000 m. typically travel further north, between the (*) Lalire and Gaspar, 2019 © JUAN ANTONIO CAMIÑAS 18 19 OTHER SPECIES Marine turtles that are rare in the Mediterranean present in the Mediterranean also NEED PROTECTION

The Mediterranean Sea is also frequented Few individuals of some species such The conservation of these species does by turtles originating from Atlantic as olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), not depend so much on our actions in the breeding areas, including large numbers Kemp’s ridley (L. kempii) and hawksbill basin as on the development programs in of loggerhead turtles from north American (Eretmochelys imbricata) have occasionally Africa or America. populations, some green turtles and been observed in the Mediterranean Sea. leatherbacks. Green turtles in the waters There have also been a few records of Efforts to study the behaviour of these of the Western Mediterranean, including loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback species in the Mediterranean and to the Spanish waters, are rare, and (Dermochelys coriacea) and green turtle protect them will help to conserve their Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea © SOPHIE BURCET mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that (Chelonia mydas) of Atlantic origin in the breeding sites. They are few animals and, they occasionally occur from individuals western Mediterranean Sea. therefore, even more valuable. (haplotypes) of the nesting beaches of African Atlantic populations. A limited Good Environmental Status (GES) is number of leatherbacks (Dermochelys a term used to indicate ecologically coriacea), olive ridley (Lepidochelys diverse and dynamic oceans and seas olivacea), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys which are clean, healthy and productive. kempii) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys Such systems are fully functioning and imbricata) have been observed in the resilient to human-induced changes, the Mediterranean Sea. Leatherbacks have

Kemp’s ridley Lepidochelys kempii © IVÁN CUMPIÁN decline of biodiversity caused by human been recorded throughout the whole basin activities is prevented and biodiversity and are considered a regular species, is protected. Marine litter is a global although for the most part only large concern affecting all oceans and all juveniles and adults of both sexes have marine species, including marine turtles been observed, and no nesting sites has which can become entangled in plastic been confirmed to date in the region. and ghost gears or can ingest plastic and sometimes pieces of fishing line. Each The presence of both Kemp’s and Olive year millions of tons of litter end up in ridleys in the Mediterranean is confirmed but Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata the Mediterranean, posing environment, © MARK DOHERTY © MARK DOHERTY rare, with only a handful of records of juvenile economic, health and aesthetic © GEORGE GLEN FOR ARCHELON Kemp’s in Malta, Southern Spain, France problems. Mark-recapture studies in the foraging area of Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece and Italy, and a single record of an Olive ridley reported in Spain. There are several records of hawksbills in the Mediterranean, but they are extremely rare. It is believed Marine turtles, a HISTORIC SYMBOL of the Mediterranean Sea that the individuals observed in the Eastern Mediterranean originate from the Red Sea, The relationship between sea turtles and naval supremacy, a sea turtle was pictured on its as there are nesting beaches for this species humans in the Mediterranean has endured for coins. When Athens became the supreme naval centuries. Both loggerhead (Caretta caretta) power in the region, it obliged Aegina to replace Olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea along the coasts of Sudan and Egypt. © MARK WATSON and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) served the sea turtle on its coins with a tortoise. for centuries as food and as an exportable The Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid The softshell turtle, (Trionyx triunguis) food product for coastal human populations. houses a painting by Pedro Juan Tapia from the is a large species of turtle frequenting This culminated in a period of intense over- late 16th century showing a large leatherback freshwater and brackish habitats. The exploitation in the 20th century, lasting until the turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) captured in a Mediterranean subpopulation is maybe 1970s, leading to the collapse of populations trap in Denia (Spain), which was sent to the encountered in coastal and estuarine waters and ultimately, the establishment of the first cabinet of curiosities of King Felipe II. These two of Southern Turkey and the Levant, and it is Coin from protection and conservation measures. In the examples serve to illustrate the importance of listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Aegina 5 b.c. fifth century BC, the island of Aegina in Greece marine turtles in the history of human culture in Red List of threatened species. was a major military power. To emphasize its the Mediterranean. Softshell turtle Trionyx triunguis © O. TURKOSAN

20 21 The Project “Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region” aims to enhance the protection and conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean ACRONYMS ACCOBAMS Agreement on the Conservation of A call to COLLABORATE Region by reducing human-induced direct mortality. Project Partners include Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and ARCHELON, DEKAMER, IUCN-Med, MEDASSET, MedPAN, NMPZ, SPA/RAC contiguous Atlantic area in the conservation of marine turtles (leader), WWF Greece, WWF Turkey, WWF North Africa. BL ECA BirdLife Europe and Central Asia FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The Med Bycatch Project “Understanding Mediterranean multi-taxa ‘bycatch’ GFCM General Fisheries Commission for the and the Mediterranean Sea of vulnerable species and testing mitigation – a collaborative approach” aims Mediterranean IUCN Med International Union for Conservation of Nature to develop a common standardized methodology to collect data on the incidental – Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation catch of vulnerable species in fishing gears and test mitigation solutions that MEDASSET Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea can be replicated at the regional level. It is implemented through a partnership Turtles Marine turtles should be regarded by and languages, has formed a consolidated between ACCOBAMS, GFCM-FAO, UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA, IUCN-Med, BL ECA and NMPZ National Marine Park of Zakynthos RAC/SPA Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Mediterranean people and visitors as a real and collaborative network of individuals, MEDASSET. Areas of the United Nations Environment/Mediterranean Action Plan biodiversity treasure. The Mediterranean institutions and governments dedicated to The projects are funded by MAVA Foundation through its action plans M4 UNEP/MAP Regional Seas Programme of the United is an exciting place for some species of this worthy goal. Reconciling fisheries and biodiversity and M7 protecting sea turtles nesting Nations Environment Programme/ Mediterranean Action sites. Plan marine turtles, with prospects of range REFERENCES IUCN Marine Turtles Specialists Group Camiñas, J. A. (1998). Is the leatherback (Dermochelys expansions and new colonization, and Sporadic loggerhead nesting activity on coriacea Vandelli, 1761) a permanent species in the The Marine Turtles Specialists Group (IUCN-MTSG) is a branch of the Species Mediterranean Sea? Rapp. Comm. Int. Mer Medit, where long-term conservation projects have Western Mediterranean beaches is not a Survival Commission (SSC) of the IUCN. IUCN-MTSG envisions marine turtles 35(1998), 388-389. fulfilling their ecological roles on a healthy planet where all people value and Carpentieri, P., et al. (2020). Incidental catch of vulnerable achieved stable or even positive population remnant of a past population but the result species in Mediterranean and Black sea fisheries: a review. celebrate their continued survival. The Mission of IUCN-MTSG is to develop and Studies and Reviews n. 101. Rome, FAO. trends in the countries. However, there is of long-distance dispersal events from both support strategies, set priorities, and provide tools that promote and guide the Carreras, C., et al. (2014). Origin and dispersal routes of foreign green and Kemp’s ridley turtles in Spanish still a long way to go before marine turtles Mediterranean and Atlantic populations. If conservation of marine turtles, and their ecological roles and habitats. Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. Amphibia-Reptilia, www.iucn-mtsg.org 35(1), 73-86. in the Mediterranean can be considered we are witnessing new colonization events Casale, P., et al. (2005). Size at male maturity, sexing The Spanish Herpetological Association was founded in 1984, it is a non-profit methods and adult sex ratio in loggerhead turtles (Caretta to be safe. Indeed, many major threats, of nesting beaches, this is an extraordinary caretta) from Italian waters investigated through tail association that promotes and facilitates collaboration between herpetologists measurements. The Herpetological Journal,15(3), 145-148. particularly coastal occupation, pollution and exciting fact, which implies some and coordinates the study of herpetofauna, the conservation of amphibians and Casale, P. (2015). Caretta caretta Mediterranean subpopulation. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and degradation of marine habitats, climate measures should be urgently implemented reptiles and their environment, and advises, directs and carries out studies related 2015: e.T83644804A83646294. to herpetology, both at the Spanish and international arena. Casale, P. et al. (2018). REVIEW: Mediterranean sea change-driven alterations and high fishing so that these animals have suitable www.herpetologica.es turtles: current knowledge and priorities for conservation and research. Endangered Species Research, 36: 229–267. pressure as well as bycatch, need to be habitats for their needs. Conservation About IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation Casale P. and Margaritoulis, D. (Eds.) (2010). Sea addressed to conserve Mediterranean programs to mitigate the impact of The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN-Med) opened in Malaga Turtles in the Mediterranean: Distribution, Threats and (Spain) in October 2001 with the core support of the Spanish Ministry of conservation priorities. Gland. Switzerland, IUCN, p sea turtles. To that end, a solid network anthropogenic activities coupled with 257-294. Environment and the regional Government of Junta de Andalucía. The Centre’s FAO. (2019). Monitoring the incidental catch of vulnerable of stakeholders, including the public, extensive monitoring of potentially suitable mission is to influence, encourage and assist Mediterranean societies to conserve species in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries: Methodology for data collection. FAO Fisheries and professionals of the sea and fishers, habitats will be crucial to facilitate the and use sustainably the natural resources of the region and work with IUCN Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 640. Rome, FAO. members and cooperate with all other agencies that share the objectives of IUCN. Hornell J. (1935). Report on fisheries of Palestine. Crown conservationists, researchers and local and stabilization of the possible new nesting www.iucn.org/regions/mediterranean Agents for the Colonies, Millbank, London. Hochscheid, S., Kaska, Y. and Panagopoulou, A. (Eds.) national decision-makers must continue to populations in the Western Mediterranean. (2018). Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean Region: MTSG Annual Regional Report 2018. Draft Report of the IUCNSSC focus its energies on the actions needed It is everyone’s responsibility to study Marine Turtle Specialist Group. Hochscheid et al. (2018). Sea Turtles of the to assure that Mediterranean marine these natural processes linked to climate Mediterranean Sea. SWOT, Vol XIV, pags. 20-29. turtles survive and thrive into the future. change to understand and improve the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2012). Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels. Version 4.0. Gland, Fortunately, the Mediterranean conservation management of the loggerhead turtle Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41 pp. https:// community, despite its disparity of cultures populations In the Mediterranean. portals.iucn.org/library/node/10336 JRC Scientific and Policy Reports (2013). Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas. A guidance document within the Common Implementation Strategy for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter, 128p. European Public release of a rehabilitated turtle in Romanos Peloponnese, Greece. INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR Commission CONSERVATION OF NATURE Katsiyiannis, P. (2019). Discovery of the first feeding area for adult and juvenile green turtles and loggerhead turtles in Greece. Herpetological Bulletin,149, 32-33. IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation Margaritoulis, D. et al. (2003). Loggerhead Turtles in the Mediterranean Sea: Present Knowledge and Conservation Marie Curie, 22 Perspectives. In: Bolten AB, Witherington BE (Eds.) Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Books, Washington, 29590 - Campanillas 175–198. Málaga, Spain Stokes, K. et al. (2015). Migratory corridors and foraging hotspots: critical habitats identified for Mediterranean [email protected] green turtles. Diversity and Distributions, 21(6), 665-674 Tel.: +34 95 202 84 30 Ullmann, J. and M. Stachowitsch (2015). A critical review of the Mediterranean sea turtle rescue Fax: +34 95 202 81 45 network: a web looking for a weaver. www.iucn.org/mediterranean Nat. Conserv. 10, 45e69.

CITATION The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of Camiñas, J.A.; Kaska, Y.; Hochscheid, S.; Casale P.; any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organisations concerning the legal status of any country, Panagopoulou, A.; Báez, J.C.; Otero, M. M.; Numa, C., territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Alcázar, E. 2020. Conservation of marine turtles in the The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organisations. Mediterranean sea [brochure]. IUCN, Malaga, Spain.

Core support to the activities of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation is provided by: © JULIA COSTESCU FOR ARCHELON

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