Alan F. Rees

Discovery of a regionally important green turtle Chelonia mydas rookery in Syria

In 2004 an intensive survey of Latakia and other Syrian beaches was undertaken to improve and update knowledge of Syrias marine turtle nesting populations. The survey confirmed that loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta nest in Syria (eight nests recorded), distributed diffusely along the coast, but also identified hitherto undescribed green turtle Chelonia mydas nesting aggregations. The most important green turtle nesting site was the 12 km of beach south-east of Latakia that ranks in the Mediterraneans top 10 rookeries for this species (in terms of maximum number of nests), with 104 of the 106 nests recorded in this study. Mean clutch size of green turtles (108 - SD 25.1, range 72-164, n 5 29) was comparable with other Mediterranean rookeries, and hatching success (percentage of eggs that produced hatchlings) of successful nests was 83.5%. The main problems facing the turtles and their nests were found to be deliberate killing of adults, nest predation and hatchling disorientation. We recommend initiation of an- nual monitoring and nest protection at the main green turtle nesting beach and investigations of possible at-sea turtle populations together with a campaign to raise awareness and acceptance amongst stakeholders.

The Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta, population nesting in Kyparissia Bay, Peloponnesus, Greece: Results of beach surveys over seventeen seasons and determination of the core nesting habitat

Abstract Standardized ground surveys over six nesting seasons (1984–1989) along 42 km of beach at Kyparissia Bay, western Peloponnesus (Greece) revealed uneven spatial distribution in the nesting activity of the Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta. Further surveys (1990–2000) at the most turtle-frequented part of the bay and the inclusion of a new beach sector have led to the determination of a 9.5 km core area where about 84% of the total nesting effort concentrates with an average nesting density of 60.6 nests/km/season. The average nesting effort along the bay is estimated at about 620 nests/season and therefore Kyparissia Bay is considered the second most turtle-frequented nesting area in the Mediterranean after Zakynthos. In the course of seventeen seasons (1984–2000) no distinguishable trend in the annual number of nests has been detected, albeit the great annual fluctuations (reaching 324%) may hide it. Although the duration of the nesting season (82.7 days on the average) seems similar to respective values in Turkey and Cyprus, the start and end dates of nesting occur later than in the eastern beaches. Nesting success (i.e. percentage of emergences resulting in nests) decreases as the season progresses. Monthly distribution of nesting shows that 61.5% of nests at Kyparissia Bay are made in July and August, in contrast to nesting beaches in Turkey where the main bulk of nests are made in May and June. This geographical variation must be taken into account while planning and implementing regional management schemes in the Mediterranean.

Satellite tracking of a Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas, from Syria further highlights importance of North Africa for Mediterranean turtles

Abstract In 2006, we tracked a single Green Turtle after nesting Latakia, providing the first evidence of foraging grounds and migratory routes from this rookery which is one of the most important nesting areas in the Mediterranean. Tracking lasted 95 days during which time the turtle migrated southward (minimum average speed=0.9 km/h) and then westward (minimum average speed=1.6 km/h), following the coast. The turtle settled in the Bay of As Sallum, western Egypt where it remained in neritic, coastal waters for the final 26 days of transmissions. These results, when combined with findings from Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, further highlight the importance of the North African coast for foraging adult turtles and the need for effective conservation measures to be adopted there.

Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas, in Kuwait: Nesting and Movements

Abstract There is a paucity of information on the presence and nesting of green turtles, Chelonia mydas, in Kuwait, and known nesting habitats have been altered in recent years. Through beach monitoring and satellite telemetry, we determined that green turtle nesting is now limited to Qaru Island with 1–5 turtles nesting annually and that foraging habitats occur along the northern shore of Failaka Island (n  =  2 turtles) and coastal region of central Saudi Arabia (n  =  1 turtle). Foraging habitat in Kuwait overlaps with a coastal trap-fishery, raising concerns for the conservation of this depleted population.

Each to Their Own: Inter-Specific Differences in Migrations of Masirah Island Turtles

Abstract We tracked two adult female green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from their nesting location on Masirah Island, Oman (lat 20.441°N, long 58.843°E) into the Red Sea. Comparing these tracks with published movements of nesting loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtles, also tracked from Masirah, revealed remarkably different inter-specific patterns of post-nesting dispersal. High-capacity artisanal fisheries, with undescribed levels of sea turtle bycatch, exist within the region, making introduction of effective conservation measures difficult.