Διατήρηση θαλάσσιων χελωνών στην περιοχή της Μεσογείου

Ενίσχυση της προστασίας και διατήρησης των Θαλάσσιων Χελωνών στην περιοχή της Μεσογείου μειώνοντας τις άμεσες ανθρωπογενείς αιτίες θνησιμότητας

https://medmarineturtles.org/ 

 

 

 

     

 

    Θαλάσσιες Χελώνες

Τρία είδη θαλασσίων χελωνών συναντώνται στην Μεσόγειο θάλασσα. Η θαλάσσια χελώνα Caretta caretta και η πρασινοχελώνα (Chelonia mydas) που ωοτοκούν στη Μεσόγειο καθώς και η δερματοχελώνα (Dermochelys coriacea) που αποτελεί ευκαιριακό επισκέπτη. In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Green Turtles are listed as globally endangered and Loggerhead Turtles (Mediterranean sub-population) as least concerned, but conservation dependent. In summer, sea turtles nest on sandy beaches. Loggerheads mainly nest in Greece, Turkey, Libya and Cyprus, and in smaller numbers in Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Tunisia and Italy. Green turtles mainly nest in Turkey, Cyprus and Syria, while a few nests are recorded in Lebanon, Egypt and Israel. Important feeding and overwintering areas have been identified, however further research is needed.

 

 

 

 

 Απειλές

Sea turtles are considered as an indicator species for marine biodiversity and have populated Earth for over 100 million years. It is therefore critical that they are protected and preserved. Although they have natural predators, the greatest threat to these ancient creatures are impacts and disturbances by human activities:

  • habitat loss & degradation (tourism, coastal and marine development)
  • pollution (marine litter, ...)
  • collision with vessels
  • fisheries (bycatch, illegal fishing techniques, intentional killing)
  • exploitation (for consumption or production of artefacts)
  • climate change
  • exploitation of marine resources, specifically oil and gas.

 

The Project “Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region” aims at the following objective: to enhance the protection and conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region by reducing human-induced direct mortality.

Activities take place in 13 Countries: Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy (Sardinia), Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey from June 2017 to May 2020 (phase 1).

 

Map of geographic scope of project activities

 

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