Partners
THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON AREAS THAT ARE PIVOTAL FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE TWO SEA TURTLE SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE EU TERRITORY (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas).
This project is a geographical extension of the ongoing LIFE EUROTURTLES (LIFE15-NAT/HR/000997), with same objectives, approach and actions. The aim of the project is to improve the conservation status of the EU populations of two sea turtle priority species, the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta* and the green turtle Chelonia mydas*. Given that the geographical range of these two populations includes areas outside the EU, where the populations are subject to significant fishing impacts, the project recognizes that this aim can only be achieved through a Mediterranean-level approach implemented in both EU and non-EU countries. In this respect, the project aims to extend the ongoing LIFE EUROTURTLES (Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Malta) to another EU country (Spain) and to key areas such as Albania and Turkey (EU candidate countries) and Tunisia (European Neighbourhood Policy country). The project also aims to integrate results from TARTALIFE wherever appropriate, including Italy.
The Department has a team of experts on sea turtle biology and conservation, with specific expertise on the Mediterranean region and fishery-related conservation issues, which perfectly matches the conservation actions of this project. Moreover, the project manager of this project is an expert on sea turtle conservation (he is co-chair of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group, IUCN) and has also conceived and set up (and is the scientific coordinator of) the ongoing LIFE EUROTURTLES (LIFE15-NAT/HR/000997), of which this project aims to be an integrated geographical extension.
Web site: www.biologia.unipi.it
Web site: www.fondazionecetacea.org
The Faculty of Sciences of Sfax is a public body under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research set up by virtue of decree 87-5 and law 87-62 dated September 13, 1987. It has 6 departments (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and Computer Science) and a Language Unit. The faculty also provides preparatory studies for the engineering cycles (Math-Physics,Physics-Chemistry and Biology-Geology). In the faculty, there is 26 laboratories and research units from which 5 Laboratories in the department of Biology. One of them is the Laboratory of Biodiversity and Aquatic Ecosystems which is concerned by this project. This laboratory is composed by a team of 17 researchers (Professors, Lecturers and assistant professors) and about 30 Doctoral, post-doctorl and masters students. In this Laboratory, several studies concerning Biodiversity, Parasitology, microbiology, Planctonology, Fish and fisheries. Studies concerning sea turtles are conducted and several theses (4 finished and one in progress) and master’s degrees (5 finished) dealing wih these protected species have been prepared and supported. Studies concerning nesting, interactions with fisheries, strandings, sex-ratio …etc, are conducted and many papers were published.
Web site: www.fss.rnu.tn
The Herpetofauna Albanian Society (HAS) is a non-governmental organization working on the scientific research and conservation of the environment and different species of amphibians and reptiles in Albania. HAS was founded in 2001 from a group of biologist and ever since has grown in membership not only in biology and ecology but in other disciplines as law and economics, too. HAS has three main programs – research, education and conservation. These programs provide a framework for executing projects aimed at furthering the understanding of the biology and ecology of the amphibians and reptiles, identification of human impact in their populations and ways of mitigation, as well as involvement of the public in nature conservation. HAS works on both land and marine habitats, covering the entire country and both Adriatic and Ionian Sea. HAS aims to advance sustainable terrestrial and marine management through national, regional and international collaborations. The recent studies focus mainly on endangered animals like sea turtles.
Web site: https://has-org.al
PSCA
Pamukkale Bilim Merkezi Derneği (Pamukkale Science Centre Association-PSCA) was established in 1973 asa private non-commercial organization. The constitution of the PSCA was changed in 2004 in order to support University researchers to find extra financial support, coordination, and advisory for their projects. In this respect, PSCA has received and managed different projects. PSCA is mainly supporting the activities and coordinating projects of Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER) since its foundation in 2008. PSCA have been carrying out projects on sea turtle conservation and biology, rehabilitation of marine animals, biodiversity, fisheries interactions with marine animals, and increasing public awareness studies in collaboration with DEKAMER.
• Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Projects in Köyceğiz-Dalyan Specially Protected Area (2008-2018), Fethiye-Göcek Specially Protected Area (2011-2018), and Göksu Specially Protected Area (2011) Funding organization: Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization
• Sea Turtle Monitoring Projects in Dalaman-Sarıgerme Sea Turtle Nesting Beach (2008-2018) Supporting organization: Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
• Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Project (2011-2015) Funding organization: Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company
• Developing a conservation project to address sea turtle bycatch mortality in Mediterranean coast of Turkey (2016-ongoing) Funding organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of International Conservation Marine Turtle Conservation Fund
• Turtles and Tourists can be Together (2018-ongoing) Funding organization: TUI Care Foundation
• Conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean Region (2017-ongoing) Supporting organization: MAVA Foundation
• Understanding Mediterranean multi-taxa ‘bycatch’ of vulnerable species and testing mitigation- acollaborative approach (2017-ongoing) Supporting organization: MAVA Foundation.
Web site: http://www.dekamer.org.tr/psca.html
Web site: http://www.uv.es