Identification of critical areas for conservation of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Ebro Delta

ebro delta

Lead researcher: Lluís Cardona (University of Barcelona).

Description:

The Ebro Delta is the area with the highest density of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) on the Spanish coast and is where fishing trawlers catch more specimens. This project aims to assess how the accidental capture of turtles by the trawler fleet in the Ebro Delta could be reduced if fishing at less than 50 metres in depth is banned, as occurs on the rest of the Spanish coast. Therefore, satellite telemetry transmitters will be placed on 8 turtles captured in the Ebro Delta. These devices will allow tracking of the turtles for a maximum of 12 months, during which it will be possible to find out with great precision what are the areas most frequented by these animals, and to evaluate the hypothesis stating that they remain most of the time in areas less than 50 metres deep.

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