In the Mediterranean every year tens of thousands of Caretta caretta sea turtles die from us. This was announced by the European project TartaLife LIFE + on the occasion of the International Turtle day 2019, the World Day of sea turtles, which is celebrated today June 16.
In the Mediterranean every year tens of thousands of Caretta caretta sea turtles die from us. This was announced by the Europe projecto TartaLife LIFE + on the occasion of the International Turtle day 2019, the World Sea Turtle Day, which is celebrated today June 16.
Unfortunately, the numbers are not very reassuring. According to TartaLife, approximately 50 marine turtles are accidentally caught in our seas every year. Of these about 10 thousand die.
Yet, according to the data collected in five years of research, compared to the past the situation has improved and the mortality of the Caretta caretta has been significantly reduced from 20 to 100%, thanks to the use by fishermen of fishing systems capable of to reduce accidental catches such as circular hooks, light bollards or special nets.
“The involvement of professional fishermen who have adopted TartaLife procedures was fundamental”, explains Alessandro Lucchetti of CNR-IRBIM. “The fishermen now know what to do and how increase the chances of survival of accidentally caught turtles or even not catch them at all. The direct mortality of the species was higher in the case of longlines and gillnets, which is why we introduced the use of lower impact gear which led to truly comforting results. After 5 years we can say that we have more aware, responsible and collaborative fishermen and this is undoubtedly the most comforting result, even if a lot remains to be done and we will continue to do so much ".
Furthermore, in recent years, the TartaLife project has made it possible to strengthen the collection centers for sea turtles, bringing the number of structures to 18, from the new first aid facilities to the collection and monitoring points. Since the beginning of the project I am over 1500 turtles have been rescued and helped, first treated and then released after suffering trauma or accidents of various kinds.
As we unfortunately know, in addition to accidental capture, sea turtles have to deal with theingestion of waste, plastic, hooks, abandoned nets that in many cases cause their death due to intestinal blockages, suffocation and buoyancy problems.
“The overall message that comes to us from Tartalife is that everyone can contribute to the protection of sea turtles: come on fishermen which can use less impacting tools and promote the recovery of animals in difficulty, ai tourists which must respect the nesting areas and the marine environment, from entrepreneurs in the tourism sector who can promote more attentive and aware tourism to institutions that must guarantee adequate safeguards up to the scientific community and environmental associations that can respectively increase knowledge on these animals and protect them adequately through the recovery centers and the monitoring of the nests "said" Stefano Ciafani National President of Legambiente.
A message that we should remember every day, not just today.
READ also:
- Aphrodite didn't make it, the turtle died trapped in a bicycle rim and nylon
- Plastic dead, that's what was found in this turtle's stomach
- The green turtle returns to 'his' beach to lay its eggs and finds an airstrip
Francesca Mancuso
