ISTS Symposium43 Program/Agenda

El Agua (11°8′43.8″ N, 63°51′46.8″ W) and Parguito (11°8′43.8″ N, 63°51′46.8″ W) have been established as Index Beaches for the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) under the national sea turtle conservation programme of the Ministry of Ecosocialism (MINEC). They are located in the East coast of the Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State (Venezuela). Although sea turtle monitoring activities have been reported since 1999, an important part of the information is not available to date.

We are presenting here the results of the Turtle Point Project by 2024, to assess the conservation status of the leatherback turtle at both beaches. During the 2024 season, field work El Agua and Parguito Beaches included the identification and GPS mapping of sea turtle nests. Environmental educational activities were developed for children aged 4 to 17 years, in communities near the nesting beaches.

During the 2024 nesting season we registered 78 nests at El Agua Beach (3.5 km in lenght) and 19 nests at Parguito Beach (1 km in lenght) with the cooperation of local volunteers in both beaches. The hatching success was extremely low in both localities for the leatherback turtles and the loggerhead turtle. Management procedures must be improved as well as the environmental conditions regarding invasive vegetation species and antropogenic factor affecting the incubation. In addition, the results indicate that for a better data collection and protection of the nests in the following seasons a guide with standarised protocols must be prepared and the improvement of the environmental conditions of the sand should be guaranteed.

A total of 157 children participated in the awareness workshops, and they learned about the importance of sea turtles, their life cycles and the threats they face. The activities included talks, educational games, art projects and the fostering a culture of conservation and respect for nature from an early age.

The impact of the Turtle Point Project goes beyond education and monitoring. By raising awareness in the local community and providing tools to field assistants, the project aims to create a network of sea turtle guardians who contribute to long-term conservation. Community participation is crucial to the success of conservation initiatives, as is collaboration with different stakeholders (children, fishermen, local authorities and the tourism sector).

Due to the current changing environmental conditions, many species change their distribution and migrate to new areas to avoid potential extinction. Long-lived animals, like the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), are particularly vulnerable due to their temperature-dependent sex determination, habitat loss and challenges in relocating to new habitats because of philopatry. Despite these difficulties, the species has expanded its nesting range in the Mediterranean by colonising the western region. On the east coast of Spain, nesting has been continuously monitored showing an increase since 2001, providing a rare opportunity to characterise the early stages of colonisation and the foundation of a new population, a singular process with limited empirical evidence. To do so, we collected samples from 336 hatchlings and 15 nesting females from 59 nests along the Spanish Mediterranean coast between 2001 and 2023. For each nest, we constructed individual 2bRAD genomic libraries using a variable number of hatchlings per nest and sequenced the D-loop region of the mtDNA from one hatchling per nest, as well as the nesting females when samples were available. In addition, we collected reproductive data as clutch size, hatching success, viability and incubation duration. Using relatedness analyses, we identified a minimum of 10 females that laid more than one nest in the same nesting season (re-nesters). Importantly, for the first time, we detected remigrant individuals (breeding in the area in different nesting seasons). We identified six females that laid nests in different nesting seasons, predominantly in more recent years. Interestingly, two of the identified males sired distinct females in different nesting seasons since 2019, supporting the philopatric behaviour of males within and between years. The parentage analysis estimated a minimum effective breeding population of 36 females and 43 males over the entire period. We also assigned individuals to their populations of origin, by comparing our samples to a previously established genomic baseline that included individuals from three regional management units (RMUs): Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Atlantic, and Mediterranean. One nest was assigned to the Northwest Atlantic RMU, six nesting events were attributed to an admixed origin between the Northwest Atlantic and Mediterranean RMUs, and the remaining nests had an eastern Mediterranean origin, all of them could be attributed to specific subregional units, predominantly Greece or the Levantine region, with admixed nests from these two subregional units. We show that genomic approaches are powerful to study colonising events. Overall, our results support the hypothesis of an advancing colonisation process, providing evidence for the ongoing expansion and establishment of a new resident population in the Western Mediterranean. The presence of admixed nests indicates genetic exchange and connectivity between distinct RMUs, emphasizing the importance of global studies for conservation purposes. Monitoring this ongoing colonisation offers us a virtually unique opportunity to witness in real time the colonization patterns of a species with long life cycles, which likely adjusts its philopatric behaviour to cope with the rapid changes induced by global warming. By understanding these patterns, we can derive effective conservation and management plans in response to environmental changes.

Conservation actions are often reactive, typically driven by the need to address the negative consequences of anthropogenic alterations to ecosystems. It is rare that conservation efforts are proactively shaped by the environment itself or based on its intrinsic value. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia faces unique conservation challenges as it undergoes rapid transformation under Vision 2030 initiatives, with large-scale development of coastal and island infrastructure imminent. In the past, conservation within the region has been fragmented and sporadic, and few sea turtle rookeries in the Red Sea remain unimpacted and in pristine condition due to anthropogenic pressures. These habitat changes are having profound impacts on the nesting, hatching, and emergence success of the green (Chelonia mydas, Cm) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, Ei) sea turtles utilizing these rookeries. A recent royal decree established the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Sea Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS)—whose mandate is to protect sea turtles and their habitats in the Red Sea in perpetuity. A primary output of this mandate was the identification of confirmed and potential sea turtle nesting sites within the region. The efforts, termed “rapid assessments”, led to the discovery of an island archipelago—Malatu, Dohrab, Jadir, and Marmar—known anecdotally as "The Four Sisters.". Unrecorded previously in literature, the assessments recorded over 2,800 nesting events (Cm = 86%, Ei = 14%) on these islands collectively for both species, making it the largest known rookery for both green and hawksbill sea turtles in the Red Sea. The complementary occurrence of both species elevates the importance for conservation, particularly in light of the archipelago's notable isolation. This isolation fosters colonies of seven seabird species, supports a vibrant coral reef ecosystem, and serves as a migratory corridor for key megafaunal species, including the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). The site has now been designated as an IUCN Category IV Species Management Area since November 2024 and will be an index site for a long-term sea turtle monitoring program, set to begin in 2025. Although the islands remain in relatively pristine condition, they are facing significant threats due to increased anthropogenic pressures, necessitating immediate protective measures. A preliminary protection boundary has been established, encompassing a 5-kilometer radius around each island, covering approximately 222 square kilometers, to protect both nesting and in-water habitats. This will be the first species management area of its kind in the region, shielding the archipelago from commercially driven habitat disturbances such as development and commercial fishing, while permitting activities such as research, sustainable tourism, and regulated artisanal fishing. A management plan is being developed to balance ecological protection with sustainable use through conservation measures, zoning, monitoring, and community and stakeholder engagement. The Four Sisters Archipelago will serve as a flagship example of proactive conservation, demonstrating how protecting critical habitats can simultaneously preserve keystone species and support sustainable economic opportunities—setting a precedent for similar conservation efforts across the region.

Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP), has protected and monitored nesting sea turtles since 1994. Every year, rangers have collected measurements such as total number of nests per year or average number of successful hatchlings per year. This type of robust, long-term dataset contains pertinent information for evaluating trends and the efficacy of conservation interventions. The aim of this research was thus to use this data to evaluate the trends of sea turtle nesting and hatching success over the past six years in BANP and inform management strategies. We present the data collected by these monitoring efforts from the past six years, stretching from October 2016 until March 2022. The results obtained in the last six years of monitoring showed that all five species that occur in the WIO also nest within BANP. During the 2021/22 season, we confirmed for the first time that all five turtle species nested in BANP during the same season. The total number of sea turtles species that nested in BANP per year ranged from three to five species. On average, loggerheads laid the most nests per annum (minimum: 8, maximum: 37), while leatherback turtles laid the least (minimum: 0, maximum: 3). Loggerhead (Caretta caretta ) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nested at least once every year over the past six years, while hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were only recorded biannually. Over the past six years, the average proportion of successful nests and hatchlings per season was at 68% (± 11 SD) and 67% (± 13 SD), respectively. On an inter-annual scale, hatchling success appeared stable over the last six years from a low of 56% (± 47 SD) in 2016 to a high 71% (± 9 SD) in 2021/22. The high standard deviation of the values, though, makes any conclusion highly uncertain. However, while the hatchling success trends are positive, turtles nesting in BANP face natural (rising sea levels and erosion) and unnatural (anthropogenic) threats. On average, these natural pressures caused in average 8 nest (± 5.1 SD) per year to fail completely. Four turtles nests were reported to have been caught illegally in BANP over the past six years (only on 2016). Despite these seemingly positive results, suggests that conservation actions are possibly protecting resident population sufficiently, however, sea turtles in BANP continue to bet threatened by rising sea levels and erosion.

Sea turtles are emblematic and culturally significant species for the iyasa communities in Cameroon. Four species are present: green, leatherback, olive ridley, and hawksbill turtles. This is evidenced by the presence of the turtle rock (Manyange), historically a village of coexistence between turtles and humans. However, these turtles face numerous anthropogenic and natural threats, including poaching, illegal egg harvesting, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.

The objective of marine turtle nesting monitoring is to contribute to the conservation and ensure the sustainability of these turtles. Specifically, it aims to locate nests and nesting frequencies, protect nesting habitats, improve knowledge on marine turtle identification, and strengthen collaboration with local communities to promote conservation. To achieve these goals, night and day patrols are employed. This method follows the B protocol of the SWOT minimum standard norms. Patrols involve walking on nesting beaches at night or early morning between 2 and 5 days per week, recording turtle nests using data collection applications such as Cyber Tracker and SIREN mobile App.

The sandy stretch located in the extreme south of Cameroon, in the Ocean Department, Campo District, extends over 44 km of beach and is divided into two main nesting zones. The Campo zone (South) consists of two sub-zones or nesting transects (4 and 6 km long), and the Ebodje zone (North) comprises 5 sub-zones or nesting transects (4 to 6 km long), totaling 7 transects.

Over the past ten years, 2237 patrols have been conducted, and three species have been observed: 611 olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), 86 leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), 17 green turtles (Chelonia mydas), and 17 unidentified turtles, making a total of 731 observed nesting marine turtles. The Ebodje South sub-zone recorded the highest number of nests, making it a priority site with 225 nests. It includes the beaches of Ebodje, Mbendji, and Pande. Conversely, the Mbondo sub-zone, with the beaches of Bouandjo, Mbondo, and Itondè, is considered the weakest transect with only 35 nests recorded.

Surveys also helped to document threats, such as poaching with 190 poaching incidents recorded over the past decade. Additionally, the number of observed nests or nesting turtles does not increase with patrol efforts, highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation mechanisms.

These data have led to the creation of the new entirely marine Manyange na Elombo Campo National Park, the initiation of tourism, and access for multiple researchers in the area.

Keywords: Marine turtles, Manyange na Elombo-Campo Marine National Park, conservation, monitoring, improvement, perspective.

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Despite extensive monitoring and conservation efforts, some leatherback, (Dermochelys coriacea), populations are critically endangered and at risk of global extinction, while other populations are listed as vulnerable, or endangered, depending on the location. As such, this nesting beach data is essential to our understanding of population demography and critical to our evaluation of our conservation efforts. This is the first report of nesting data from leatherback turtles on the Estación las Tortugas project. Estación las Tortugas is a non-profit organization established in 1999 to protect sea turtles nesting on Mondonguillo beach, located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, adjacent to the Pacuare Private Reserve. Here, we report night and morning patrols carried out from 2012 to 2021 and in 2024, during the leatherback nesting season (March to July). From these results, we identified 2248 adult female leatherbacks that nested during our study period. During this time, the nesting population declined from 424 adult females in 2012 to 86 in 2024, an 80% decrease. To investigate this further, we are currently analyzing additional trends—including the clutch frequency, inter-nesting periods, and re-migration intervals—in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this leatherback population and to improve targeted conservation efforts. Despite the reduction in localized poaching, the lasting effects of egg harvesting on population numbers is substantial in long-lived species; this, as well as fisheries bycatch, are known threats to this, and other, leatherback populations. This study presents the current status of the leatherback population at Estación las Tortugas, identifies unique threats facing the nesting environment of this population, and proposes targeted conservation efforts to promote the recovery and survival of this important population.