INCIDENTAL CATCH OF MARINE TURTLES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA: CAPTURES, MORTALITY, PRIORITIES INCIDENTAL CATCH OF MARINE TURTLES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA: CAPTURES, MORTALITY, PRIORITIES By Paolo Casale WWF Mediterranean Marine Turtle Programme c/o WWF Italy Recommended citation: Casale P. (2008). Incidental catch of marine turtles in the Mediterranean Sea: captures, mortality, priorities. WWF Italy, Rome. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the above bibliographic reference. No photographs from this publication may be reproduced on the internet or elsewhere without prior authorization from the authors. The material and the geographical designations in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WWF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Photo Credits. Cover: - Loggerhead turtle captured by a trawler, Italy (D. Freggi). - Loggerhead turtle with a hook in the mouth; captured by a longliner, Italy (P. Casale). - Loggerhead turtle captured by a set net, Tunisia (K. Chouikhi) Back cover: - Loggerhead turtle found adrift entangled with a net, Italy (P. Casale). - Green turtle hung on a tourist boat, Syria (M. Jony). - Loggerhead carapaces sold as guitars, Morocco (M. Aksissou) Drawings: F. Gemma Design: P. Casale For any comment or information please contact: P. Casale, WWF Mediterranean Marine Turtle Programme c/o WWF Italy, Via Po 25c 00198, Roma Italy E-mail:
[email protected] www.wwf.it ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive summary ............................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3 2. Relevant parameters for assessing the impact of fishing activity on marine turtle populations.......................................................................................................................