CARETTA² ZAKYNTHOS – REDUCING THE IMPACT OF FISHERIES AND MARINE LITTER ON CARETTA CARETTA SEA TURTLES IN THE MARINE AREA OF ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND, GREECE

THE NEED

Sea turtles have played a key role in marine ecosystems for more than 100 million years, maintaining healthy seagrass beds, providing important habitat for marine life, helping to maintain the balance of marine food webs and facilitating nutrient recycling. In addition, their cultural, social and economic value is high for communities, stakeholders and the tourism industry. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Mediterranean subpopulation of Caretta caretta is classified as a Species of Reduced Concern, provided that conservation and protection efforts continue. Greece hosts within the Ionian region (Zakynthos and Kyparissia Gulf) about 40% of the Mediterranean Caretta caretta nests, while nesting is spread throughout the country, in a smaller and more dispersed manner. The most important threats to sea turtles, arising from human activities, are related to fishing/bycatch, coastal and marine development and tourism, marine pollution and climate change. The future of sea turtles depends on the implementation of current effective conservation actions.

THE PROGRAM

The aim of the program is to reduce the impacts of bycatch and plastic pollution on sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in Zakynthos, through monitoring, assessment, restoration, public awareness and stakeholder involvement (fishermen, tour operators, students).

The actions to be implemented within the scope of the program will include:

• Cooperation with local fishermen and the competent authorities in Zakynthos, with the ultimate aim of informing small scale fishermen in the area about the main threats and the legal framework for the protection of the loggerhead turtle. Through skill development workshops, in cooperation with the Scientific Committee of the “Hellenic National Marine Mammal Extinction Network”, participants will be trained in sea turtle safe release techniques. In addition, they will be informed about the current legal framework for the protection of the species, with the contribution of representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the National Park of Zakynthos. The identification of the active fishing fleet and fishing effort, as well as the areas of strong interaction between fishermen and loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos, will be based on analyses of past and present MEDASSET data and on data, previous experience and contacts of WWF Greece.
• Identification and recording of hot spots of marine litter in Zakynthos, and recording of their quantities and type. In addition, underwater surveys, seabed cleaning for the restoration of the polluted areas and communication activities will be carried out to disseminate the results of the project and raise awareness among the local community and stakeholders.