An evaluation of sea turtle strandings in the Fethiye-Göcek Specially Protected Area: An important foraging ground with an increasing mortality rate. (15th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Başkale, Eyup; Sözbilen, Doğan; Katılmış, Yusuf; Azmaz, Musa; Kaska, Yakup
• Is Part Of: Ocean & coastal management. Volume 154(2018)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2018-03-15
• Subjects: Stranding -- Fethiye-Göcek specially protected area -- Foraging ground -- Caretta caretta -- Chelonia mydas -- Bycatch; Marine resources -- Management -- Periodicals; Coastal zone management -- Periodicals; Coastal ecology -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Périodiques; Littoral -- Aménagement -- Périodiques; Écologie littorale -- Périodiques; Coastal ecology; Coastal zone management; Marine resources -- Management; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 551.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.01.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-5691

Abstract

Abstract: The Fethiye-Göcek Specially Protected Area (SPA) is an important protected area in Turkey that includes important loggerhead turtle nesting beaches and marine habitats for sea turtles. Here, we analysed the number of stranded loggerhead and green sea turtles in the Fethiye-Göcek SPA, Turkey. A total of 139 dead sea turtles (102 loggerhead and 37 green turtles) were found between the years 2000 and 2016. The majority of stranded loggerheads were considered to be adults (77.45%), while the majority of stranded green turtles were immature individuals (86.49%). Mean annual strandings were 6.0 individuals for loggerhead turtles and 2.2 individuals for green turtles. The main cause of strandings was determined as incidental catch in fishing gear (51% for loggerhead turtle, 41% for green turtle) and marine vehicle collisions (23% for loggerhead turtle and 27% for green turtles). Strandings were encountered all year round. These results suggest that the Fethiye-Göcek SPA should not be only considered as a seasonal nesting ground for loggerhead turtles, but also a year-round feeding ground for both species. An increase in the number of stranded turtles in the study area suggests that negative anthropogenic effects on sea turtle populations are relatively high and that conservation and monitoring efforts on the nesting beaches are not sufficient to protect sea turtle populations. Research is required to identify the fisheries' segments and metiers responsible for sea turtle mortality in order to develop bycatch mitigation, prioritising the marine habitats of the Fethiye-Göcek SPA. Highlights: The number of strandings is higher than the yearly reproductive output in the Fethiye-Göcek SPA. The main causes of sea turtle strandings are delineated for the Fethiye-Göcek SPA. The study area could be an important foraging ground for sea turtles. Conservation measures are proposed for the marine environment in the Fethiye-Göcek SPA.