Distribution and status of sea turtle nesting and mortality along the North Sinai coast, Egypt (Reptilia: Cheloniidae)

Abstract

We assessed in 2012 the distribution of Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Green (Chelonia mydas) Turtle nesting sites and mortality along North Sinai, Egypt, the most important nesting area along Egypt's Mediterranean coast, and compared the results with those from a survey carried out in 1998. We observed a similar number of Loggerhead (N=66) and Green Turtles nests (N=7) as recorded in 1998 (Logger- head N=67, Green Turtle N=7). We confirmed successful nesting for 47 Loggerhead and five Green Turtle nests, with a high nesting success (>90% for both species). We found 68 dead Loggerhead Turtles, which is a significant increase compared to 1998, when only 16 individuals were found. The numbers of dead Green Turtles increased from five in 1998 to 9 in 2012. Despite the similar number of sea turtle nests in 1998 and 2012, the large increase in mortality of sea turtles is very concerning.