Leatherback Research Articles

First long‐term study of live observations of loggerhead and leatherback turtles in southern Portugal with relevance for conservation

Abstract Most of the information available on loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) for the southern coast of Portugal is based on stranding data, and to a less extent on telemetry data, with very little information derived from sightings of live animals. This work reports sightings data of loggerhead and leatherback turtles off the south coast of Portugal collected during dedicated surveys on board a research boat, from 2016 to 2022. The sightings data corrected for effort confirm the recurrent presence of loggerhead turtles in the study area, with a higher sightings rate in May and June. Conversely, leatherback turtles were only sporadically observed in some years. This study highlights the importance of the southern waters of Portugal for loggerhead turtles as a recurrent area used by individuals of this species, probably from different origins within the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, in line with previous studies. The southern coast of Portugal, however, is heavily exploited by fisheries, and the main cause of death among sea turtles is bycatch. The results presented will therefore help inform future management measures aiming to reduce interactions with fisheries (e.g., limiting some fishing gears in the months with more sightings). Since the study area is probably used by loggerhead turtles from different Regional Management Units, the impacts of conservation measures imposed locally may also have beneficial effects at a regional scale.

Nowhere to hide: Sea turtle bycatch in Northwest Africa

Abstract Fisheries bycatch is considered the largest threat to sea turtle populations globally. However, it has been challenging to assess the impact of bycatch on sea turtles in some regions such as Northwest Africa (i.e. Cabo Verde, Guinea, Guinea–Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone and The Gambia) owing to large data gaps. This hampers effective management actions and interferes with conservation efforts in the region. Five sea turtle species occur in Northwest Africa (i.e. green turtle Chelonia mydas, hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata, leatherback Dermochelys coriacea, loggerhead Caretta caretta and olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea). The region has regionally and globally important sea turtle nesting and foraging habitats and is a global fishing hotspot, with high and increasing fishing pressure. Available information on sea turtle bycatch in Northwest Africa was compiled from peer‐reviewed and grey literature from 2010 onwards to determine the impact of artisanal and industrial fisheries (by gear type) on regional sea turtle populations and assess the level of threat to individual species. All sea turtle species occurring in the region are impacted by bycatch. Reports suggest that green turtles and loggerheads have the highest bycatch rates, probably owing to their regional abundance and widespread distribution. Some of the potentially highest reported global bycatch rates (14,000–90,000 turtles/year/country) are noted, particularly in gillnets, longlines and handlines. However, further research is needed to understand mortality levels from artisanal fisheries and assess the impact of trawl fisheries operating in the region. Additional sources of mortality include deliberate capture for consumption or trade. To strengthen regional sea turtle conservation and reduce sea turtle bycatch and mortality, urgent action is needed to implement and enforce national protection, establish a bycatch reduction framework (including gear modifications and spatio‐temporal closures), improve fisheries data collection and build capacity.

Marine pollution between gyres: plastic debris in marine turtles and dolphins in French Guiana, Equatorial Atlantic

Plastic pollution has not raised much attention until the 2000s, despite being manufactured for about a century. It is now considered one of the most substantial environmental issues. Here we investigate the presence of plastic contamination in 34 stranded animals on the coast of French Guiana, South America. Here we present information highlighting the magnitude of plastic contamination in marine coastal and pelagic tropical marine vertebrates on the Equatorial Atlantic coast of South America. All four species studied here are protected and emblematic vertebrates of the region, with a fragile conservation status, including the olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, the green turtle Chelonia mydas and the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea, and a small cetacean, the Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis. Macroplastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, terephthalate, and polystyrene) were detected in four juvenile green turtles. Microplastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, terephthalate, polystyrene, nylon, acrylates, polycarbonates) were found in 13 individuals (two dolphins, six olive ridleys, four green turtles, and the leatherback turtle). The sampled species have different diets, distribution patterns, and ages, suggesting widespread plastic pollution. The study area is located far from the oceanic gyres. However, they are influenced by the North Brazilian Current, the Amazon River, and other rivers of the Guianas.

Spatial ecology and conservation of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting in Bioko, Equatorial Guinea.

Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) hosts important nesting habitat for leatherback sea turtles, with the main nesting beaches found on the island's southern end. Nest monitoring and protection have been ongoing for more than two decades, although distribution and habitat range at sea remains to be determined. This study uses satellite telemetry to describe the movements of female leatherback turtles (n = 10) during and following the breeding season, tracking them to presumed offshore foraging habitats in the south Atlantic Ocean. Leatherback turtles spent 100% of their time during the breeding period within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Equatorial Guinea, with a core distribution focused on the south of Bioko Island extending up to 10 km from the coast. During this period, turtles spent less than 10% of time within the existing protected area. Extending the border of this area by 3 km offshore would lead to a greater than threefold increase in coverage of turtle distribution (29.8 ± 19.0% of time), while an expansion to 15 km offshore would provide spatial coverage for more than 50% of tracking time. Post-nesting movements traversed the territorial waters of Sao Tome and Principe (6.4%of tracking time), Brazil (0.85%), Ascension (1.8%), and Saint Helena (0.75%). The majority (70%) of tracking time was spent in areas beyond national jurisdiction (i.e. the High Seas). This study reveals that conservation benefits could be achieved by expanding existing protected areas stretching from the Bioko coastal zone, and suggests shared migratory routes and foraging space between the Bioko population and other leatherback turtle rookeries in this region.

Increased captures of the critically endangered leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) around New Zealand: the contribution of warming seas and fisher behavior

Five species of sea turtles are known to occur in New Zealand waters, with the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) being the most frequently reported. In New Zealand all sea turtles are protected, but there are currently no fisheries bycatch mitigation measures. We describe fishery captures of leatherbacks from Ministry observer and fisher self-reported data. A generalized additive model (GAM) was then used to evaluate which factors might explain the observed year trend in captures. Between fishing years 2007–08 and 2020–21 (years starting 1 October), there were 217 captures of leatherback turtles, an annual average of 15.5. Reported captures increased substantially to 50 in 2020–21. Nearly all (97.7%) captures were reported from surface longline fisheries. Because of sparse observer coverage most captures (85.3%) were self-reported by fishers. Within the main fishery, just 9.4% of the vessels reported 94.5% of the leatherback captures, and one vessel reported 40.4% of all captures. Some non-reporting of captures seems likely. The GAM estimated a higher probability of capture with increasing SST from a constant-over-time spatial pattern of monthly sea surface temperature, and predicted the increase in captures in 2020–21. Much of the increase in bycatch could therefore be explained by the fleet moving into warmer areas where the probability of leatherback capture was higher. Capture mitigation measures could include restricting fishing in turtle ‘hotspot’ times and areas. New Zealand waters should be recognized as an important seasonal foraging ground for leatherback turtles where capture mitigation measures are necessary.

Mitochondrial DNA and local ecological knowledge reveal two lineages of leatherback turtle on the beaches of Oaxaca, Mexico

Despite multiple conservation efforts of the Mexican government, the leatherback turtle is at serious risk of extinction. In this study, we investigated the possible presence of a genetic bottleneck that could prevent the recovery of this species and compared these findings with those of the olive ridley turtle, which is in true recovery. Our results confirmed that a demographic change occurred in the past and the presence of two different leatherback turtle lineages that diverged approximately 13.5 million years ago. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) also described the presence of these two lineages and warned that one is at higher risk of extinction than the other. Genetic analysis confirmed 124 mutations between the two lineages, and much lower genetic diversity in one lineage than the other. Our study highlights and substantiates the power of mixing LEK, environmental history, and genetics to better understand conservation challenges of highly threatened species such as the leatherback turtle. Moreover, we report a new lineage of the leatherback turtle which may represent a distinct species. Future studies should focus on morphological, ecological, biogeographical, evolutionary and conservation perspectives for the analysis of the new lineage.

Anthropogenic threats associated with mortality and biomass of stranded sea turtles on the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

ABSTRACT Beach monitoring programmes along the Brazilian coast in recent years have provided stranding data which can be analysed to show the effects of human impacts on sea turtle populations. In Brazil, the five species recorded are threatened with extinction. In this study, data from strandings of sea turtles on the northern coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, over six years (2015–2021), were used to evaluate whether human activities are associated with impacts on the populations and to analyse the effects of seasonality on abundance. There were 6411 strandings of sea turtles, the majority being Chelonia mydas, followed by Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea. Strandings occurred mainly during winter and spring. Where it was possible to determine the cause of death of an individual, there were several associations with anthropogenic factors, mainly solid waste, fishing gear, collisions with vessels, injuries and dredging. The high incidence of strandings of sea turtles on the Brazilian coast, mostly juveniles, and the great impact of anthropogenic factors in the causa mortis indicate the need to adopt ocean education strategies and public policies that can establish effective management and conservation plans of marine ecosystems.

Uncertain future for global sea turtle populations in face of sea level rise

Sea level rise has accelerated during recent decades, exceeding rates recorded during the previous two millennia, and as a result many coastal habitats and species around the globe are being impacted. This situation is expected to worsen due to anthropogenically induced climate change. However, the magnitude and relevance of expected increase in sea level rise (SLR) is uncertain for marine and terrestrial species that are reliant on coastal habitat for foraging, resting or breeding. To address this, we showcase the use of a low-cost approach to assess the impacts of SLR on sea turtles under various Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) SLR scenarios on different sea turtle nesting rookeries worldwide. The study considers seven sea turtle rookeries with five nesting species, categorized from vulnerable to critically endangered including leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Our approach combines freely available digital elevation models for continental and remote island beaches across different ocean basins with projections of field data and SLR. Our case study focuses on five of the seven living sea turtle species. Under moderate climate change scenarios, by 2050 it is predicted that at some sea turtle nesting habitats 100% will be flooded, and under an extreme scenario many sea turtle rookeries could vanish. Overall, nesting beaches with low slope and those species nesting at open beaches such as leatherback and loggerheads sea turtles might be the most vulnerable by future SLR scenarios.

Natal Origin and Spatiotemporal Distribution of Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Strandings at a Foraging Hotspot in Temperate Waters of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Leatherback turtles migrate long distances between nesting beaches and distant foraging areas worldwide. This study analyzes the genetic diversity, life history stage, spatiotemporal distribution, and associated threats of a foraging aggregation in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. A total of 242 leatherbacks stranded or bycaught by artisanal fisheries were recorded from 1997 to 2021 in Uruguay, with sizes ranging from 110.0 to 170.0 cm carapace lengths, indicating that the aggregation is composed of large juveniles and adults. Results of Bayesian mixed-stock analysis show that leatherbacks come primarily from the West African rookeries, based on mitochondrial DNA sequences obtained from 59 of the turtles representing seven haplotypes, including a novel one (Dc1.7). The main threat identified in the area is the fisheries bycatch but most of the carcasses observed were badly decomposed. There was significant seasonal and interannual variability in strandings that is likely associated with the availability of prey and the intensity of the fishing effort. Taken together, these findings reinforce the importance of these South American foraging areas for leatherbacks and the need to determine regional habitat use and migratory routes across the broader Atlantic region, in order to develop effective conservation measures to mitigate threats both at nesting beaches and foraging areas.

Evidence of Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in Brazilian subtropical coastal waters

Evidence of Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in Brazilian subtropical coastal waters

Kesesuaian Habitat Peneluran dengan Wisata dan Daya Dukung Kunjungan di Kawasan Pelestarian Penyu Pantai Batu Kumbang, Kabupaten Muko-Muko, Provinsi Bengkulu

The balance of ecological and economic utilization plays a real role in maintaining the stability of turtle nesting habitat on the coast. This study aims to calculate the suitability index and visitation carrying capacity (DDK) of sea turtle nesting habitat to maintain the sustainability of its population. The survey was conducted in December 2020 to January 2021 at Batu Kumbang Beach, Pulau Baru Village, Muko-Muko Regency. The analysis used was the Habitat Suitability Index (IKH), Tourism Conformity Index (IKW), and visitation carrying capacity (DDK). The Mukomuko Turtle Conservation Nature Lovers Community (KPAKPM) reported that this beach is still predominantly used as a nesting habitat for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in 2018. At least 35 heads of various types landed and laid eggs here and further decreased in 2020 with only 17 heads. The IKH showed that about 84.06%, 75.36%, and 75.36% belonged to the highly appropriate category and were spread out at Stations 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The suitability of the coastal area is at a value of 2.0 ≤ IKW < 2.5, and is categorized as sustainable. The number of visitors allowed according to DDK is only 84 people per day. Batu Kumbang Beach needs to be managed in a balanced manner with a conservation approach and beach ecotourism to ensure the sustainability and sustainability of nesting habitats for various types of turtles.
 
 Keywords: beach conservation, ecosystem, turtle nesting habitat

Incidental capture of sea turtles in the Northeast Atlantic Portuguese pelagic longline fishery

Incidental catch or bycatch of sea turtles by pelagic longline fisheries is a major concern worldwide. The Northeast Atlantic hosts key foraging and developmental areas for oceanic juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) originating mainly from the Southeastern USA and Cape Verde. This region may be one of the most heavily fished areas by pelagic longline for which no recent assessments of fisheries interactions exist. We analysed fishery observer data collected between 2015 and 2020 to assess sea turtle bycatch by Portuguese commercial longliners targeting swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the Northeast Atlantic. A total of 177 sea turtles interacted with the gear during the 896 fishing sets (887,641 hooks) monitored. Loggerheads (n = 139) ranging between 32 and 78 cm curved carapace length (CCL) were caught at a rate of 0.152 turtles per 1000 hooks, and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea; n = 38) between 100 and 210 cm estimated length at a rate of 0.043 turtles per 1000 hooks. Loggerhead and leatherback bycatch shows a clear seasonal pattern in the region. At haul-back mortality rates of oceanic-stage juvenile loggerheads was estimated at 26% whereas no at haul-back mortality was registered for leatherback turtles. Model estimates, based on AIS derived fishing effort from Global Fishing Watch, indicate a total of 1439 interactions (552–3069 BCI) for loggerhead, and 604 interactions (262–1129 BCI) for leatherback turtles between 2016 and 2020. Information from this study is essential to support effective management strategies for sea turtle conservation in the Northeast Atlantic.

Sea turtle strandings along the Northwestern Moroccan coast: Spatio-temporal distribution and main threats

We present the first research carried out on a large spatio-temporal scale (324 km) on sea turtle strandings during a 24-year period (1998–2022) in northwestern Morocco. A total of 208 stranded turtles were recorded. Among these were 184 (88.47%) loggerheads, (Caretta caretta), 21 (10.09%) leatherbacks, (Dermochelys coriacea), and 3 (1.44%) unidentified sea turtles. Strandings were most numerous in the summer and early spring, which coincides with the largest trawler, purse seine and longline fishing effort near the Moroccan coast. The majority of loggerhead turtles measured were subadult individuals (81%), while the stranded leatherback turtles included subadults and adults. Our data demonstrate that Moroccan coastal waters provides important development, foraging and/or migration habitats for loggerhead and leatherback turtles, and fisheries bycatch and boat strikes may be the major threats to sea turtles in Moroccan waters. This study serves as an important baseline for the development of sea turtle conservation efforts in the near-shore waters of the Moroccan Mediterranean coast.

Environmental and Nesting Variables Associated with Atlantic Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Embryonic and Hatching Success Rates in Grenada, West Indies

Annual monitoring of leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting grounds in Grenada, West Indies has identified relatively low hatch rates compared to worldwide trends. This study investigated the impact of selected environmental variables on leatherback sea turtle embryonic development and hatching success rates on Levera Beach in Grenada between 2015-2019. The mean number of nests per year and eggs per nest were 667.6 ± 361.6 and 80.7 ± 23.0 sd, respectively. Within excavated nests, 35.6% ± 22.0 sd of eggs successfully developed embryos and 30.6% ± 22.6 sd of eggs successfully hatched. The number of eggs per nest, along with embryo and hatching success rates, differed by nesting year. Embryo development success rate was associated with nest location, and both embryo development and hatching success rates were positively associated with nest depth and negatively associated with the percentage of eggs exhibiting microbial growth and with the presence of inspissated yolk. There was no embryo development or hatchling success association with month of the nesting season, distance from the high-water mark, distance from vegetation, nor maternal carapace length. The mean nest temperature was 31.7 °C ± 1.64 sd and mean temperatures during the middle third of egg incubation suggest clutches are highly skewed towards a preponderance of female hatchlings. Histopathologic findings in hatchling mortalities included severe, acute, multifocal, heterophilic bronchopneumonia with intralesional bacteria in 4/50 (8%) hatchlings. Data from this study guide conservation strategies by identifying risk factors and further avenues of research needed to support reproductive success of leatherback sea turtles in Grenada and the greater Caribbean region.

Sea turtle (Reptilia, Testudines) diversity and occurrence in the Azores Archipelago (NE Atlantic).

Six species of marine turtles occur in the Azores Archipelago. The loggerhead, Carettacaretta (Linnaeus, 1758), is by far the most common species and is being constantly monitored and tagged by a joint project between the University of the Azores and the University of Florida since 1989. With the implementation of the tuna fishery observers (for dolphin safe seals), an increment of sea turtle reports has been verified as expected. The leather back turtle, Dermochelyscoriacea (Vandelli, 1761) is the second most observed species in the Azores' EEZ, a fact probably also linked to the tuna fishery observation programme. All other species are occasional/vagrant albeit the green turtle, Cheloniamydas (Linnaeus, 1758) is more commonly seen than the others. Historically, sea turtles were occasionally taken for food in specific fishing villages and ports. Since 1986, sea turtles, as well as all marine mammals, are fully protected in the Azores although human-related activities (e.g. plastics, discarded fishing gear) do generate serious injuries and deaths. In this paper, we update sea turtle species' checklist for the Azores and give detailed geographic coordinates on their known occurrences.

Design of a Bioinspired Underwater Glider for Oceanographic Research.

The Blue Economy, which is based on the sustainable use of the ocean, is demanding better understanding of marine ecosystems, which provide assets, goods, and services. Such understanding requires the use of modern exploration technologies, including unmanned underwater vehicles, in order to acquire quality information for decision-making processes. This paper addresses the design process for an underwater glider, to be used in oceanographic research, that was inspired by leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), which are known to have a superior diving ability and enhanced hydrodynamic performance. The design process combines elements from Systems Engineering and bioinspired design approaches. The conceptual and preliminary design stages are first described, and they allowed mapping the user's requirements into engineering characteristics, using quality function deployment to generate the functional architecture, which later facilitated the integration of the components and subsystems. Then, we emphasize the shell's bioinspired hydrodynamic design and provide the design solution for the desired vehicle's specifications. The bioinspired shell yielded a lift coefficient increase due to the effect of ridges and a decrease in the drag coefficient at low angles of attack. This led to a greater lift-to-drag ratio, a desirable condition for underwater gliders, since we obtained a greater lift while producing less drag than the shape without longitudinal ridges.

Divergent sensory and immune gene evolution in sea turtles with contrasting demographic and life histories

Sea turtles represent an ancient lineage of marine vertebrates that evolved from terrestrial ancestors over 100 Mya. The genomic basis of the unique physiological and ecological traits enabling these species to thrive in diverse marine habitats remains largely unknown. Additionally, many populations have drastically declined due to anthropogenic activities over the past two centuries, and their recovery is a high global conservation priority. We generated and analyzed high-quality reference genomes for the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles, representing the two extant sea turtle families. These genomes are highly syntenic and homologous, but localized regions of noncollinearity were associated with higher copy numbers of immune, zinc-finger, and olfactory receptor (OR) genes in green turtles, with ORs related to waterborne odorants greatly expanded in green turtles. Our findings suggest that divergent evolution of these key gene families may underlie immunological and sensory adaptations assisting navigation, occupancy of neritic versus pelagic environments, and diet specialization. Reduced collinearity was especially prevalent in microchromosomes, with greater gene content, heterozygosity, and genetic distances between species, supporting their critical role in vertebrate evolutionary adaptation. Finally, diversity and demographic histories starkly contrasted between species, indicating that leatherback turtles have had a low yet stable effective population size, exhibit extremely low diversity compared with other reptiles, and harbor a higher genetic load compared with green turtles, reinforcing concern over their persistence under future climate scenarios. These genomes provide invaluable resources for advancing our understanding of evolution and conservation best practices in an imperiled vertebrate lineage.

Destination Branding of Marine Ecotourism in Trenggalek Regency: A Study on Kili-Kili Beach Turtle Conservation

Kili-kili Beach Turtle Conservation is a tourist destination located on the south coast of East Java, precisely in Wonocoyo Village, Trenggalek Regency. There are approximately four types of sea turtle conservation, namely hawksbill turtles, gray turtles, leatherback turtles, and green turtles. As a new tourist destination, Kili-Kili Beach has a lot of potentials but has not been well developed. Conventional promotion methods have not been able to reach the target national and foreign tourists. Therefore, a promotion and marketing strategy is needed for Kili-Kili as an education-based tourism destination through the Internet (social media). Therefore, this service activity focuses on optimizing destination branding using the AISAS model (attention, interest, search, action, and share) through social media. The methods of implementing community service activities include 1) socialization of activity programs to local communities, 2) mentoring local communities in using social media as a medium for promoting tourist attractions, 3) training and creating social media content by involving POKMASWAS Turtle Conservation. This community service activity aims to promote the existence of marine ecotourism at Taman Kili-kili Beach, Trenggalek Regency as well as a turtle biota campaign by utilizing social media as a communication channel.

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Integrating telemetry and point observations to inform management and conservation of migratory marine species

AbstractSpecies distribution models have been widely used in both terrestrial and marine systems, and applications have included invasive species management, evaluating potential effects of climate change, and conservation. Generally, only a single type of data can be accommodated within the model structures used, which may lead to higher uncertainty in the predictions when the data are sparse. In this case, it can be beneficial to pool data from multiple sources and data types, such as fishery observations and telemetry data. An integrated species distribution model (ISDM) utilizes data integration methods that address the challenges of harnessing multiple data types to estimate species distribution. In this study, an ISDM approach was developed to link turtle locations gathered as part of fishery observations with those derived from satellite telemetry in the East Pacific Ocean to enhance our understanding of a highly migratory and endangered marine species, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). These models were developed to support a dynamic management tool, South Pacific TurtleWatch, to identify high‐risk areas of management concern and help inform bycatch reduction efforts for this critically endangered species. This data fusion approach could be applied to other populations and species for which telemetry and other point source data are available.