A critical review of the Mediterranean sea turtle rescue network: a web looking for a weaver

Abstract

Citation: Ullmann J, Stachowitsch M (2015) A critical review of the Mediterranean sea turtle rescue network: a web looking for a weaver. Nature Conservation 10: 45-69. doi: 10.3897/natureconservation.10.4890 Abstract A key issue in conservation biology is recognizing and bridging the gap between scientific results and specific action. We examine sea turtles-charismatic yet endangered flagship species-in the Mediterranean, a sea with historically high levels of exploitation and 22 coastal nations. We take sea turtle rescue facilities as a visible measure for implemented conservation action. Our study yielded 34 confirmed sea turtle rescue centers, 8 first-aid stations, and 7 informal rescue institutions currently in operation. Juxtaposing these facilities to known sea turtle distribution and threat hotspots reveals a clear disconnect. Only 14 of the 22 coastal countries had centers, with clear gaps in the Middle East and Africa. Moreover, the information flow between centers is apparently limited. The populations of the two species nesting in the Mediterranean, the loggerhead Caretta caretta and the green turtle Chelonia mydas, are far below historical levels and face a range of anthropogenic threats at sea and on land. Sea turtle rescue centers are acknowledged to reduce mortality in bycatch hotspots, provide a wealth of scientific data, and raise public awareness. The proposal for a Mediterranean-wide rescue network as published by the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas a decade ago has not materialized in its envisioned scope. We discuss the efficiency, gaps, and needs for a rescue network and call for establishing additional rescue centers and an accompanying common online database to connect existing centers. This would provide better information on the number and types of rescue facilities on a Mediterranean scale, improve communication between these facilities, enhance standardization of procedures, yield large-scale data on the number of treated turtles and their injuries, and thus provide valuable input for targeted conservation measures.

Seasonal encounter rate, life stages and main threats to the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Aeolian Archipelago (southern Thyrrenian Sea)

“…The real number of turtles with problems in the waters surrounding the Aeolian Archipelago might be largely underestimated as a result of limited observations and sporadic controls by local authorities, which should be increased. During the study period, only one rescue centre for sea turtles was operational in the proximity of the study area (Comiso, Sicily) (Ullmann & Stachowitsch, ). However, of 585 turtles rescued by the centre from 2009–2013, only 47 originated from the Aeolian Archipelago, and these individuals were rescued by the sea turtle rescue team in Filicudi.…”

Rehabilitated sea turtles tend to resume typical migratory behaviors: satellite tracking juvenile loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley turtles in the northeastern USA

“…Knowledge of how rehabilitated animals behave post-release is therefore central to evaluating the efficacy of rehabilitation programs for wildlife conservation (Guy et al 2013, Caillouet et al 2016. This is especially relevant for sea turtles, as there are numerous rehabilitation programs for this taxon worldwide (Ullmann & Stachowitsch 2015, Innis et al 2019a) and these programs are often associated with considerable financial costs (Flint et al 2017).…”

Tools and constraints in monitoring interactions between marine litter and megafauna: Insights from case studies around the world

“…These "observation platforms" collect data and observations about marine megafauna, especially marine mammals, sea turtles and sea birds (e.g. Casale et al, 2010;Danil et al, 2010;Ullmann & Stachowitsch, 2015). Such observation platforms and their corresponding networks have primarily been developed as means for acquiring knowledge on species biology, assessing threats to and trends of populations, and to rescue and rehabilitate marine fauna.…”