New Observations of Sea Turtle Trade in Alexandria, Egypt by MEDASSET

35TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON SEA TURTLE BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION DALAMAN SARIGERME DALYAN (ORTACA) MUĞLA-TÜRKİYE Compilers: Yakup Kaska Bektaş Sönmez Onur Türkecan Çisem Sezgin

This book can be cited as Kaska, Y., Sonmez, B., Turkecan, O., Sezgin, C. (2015). Book of abstracts of 35th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. MACART press, 250pp. Turkey.

Press in April 2015

ISBN 978-9944-0847-9-6

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Contact Information: Prof. Dr. Yakup KASKA

Pamukkale University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology Denizli-Turkey

Abstract ID: 6117 Type: Poster Subject: Fisheries And Threats Country: Egypt Submitted By: Sherif Abdullah

NEW OBSERVATIONS OF SEA TURTLE TRADE IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT Sherif S. Abdullah1, Liza Boura2and Mohamed A. Nada3 MEDASSET – Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles, Alexandria, Egypt. 2 MEDASSET – Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles, Athens, Greece 3 MEDASSET – Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles, Cairo, Egypt. he Mediterranean coast of Egypt, though of minor importance in terms of nesting levels, is considered to host potentially important foraging grounds. Among other threats to sea turtles in Egypt, the trade of sea turtles for consumption is known at least since 1970s, especially in Alexandria. Since 1993 MEDASSET has monitored the turtle trade and carried out awareness and advocacy campaigns that led to law enforcement and conservation initiatives to stop the trade. The current survey is a follow-up of the last study that was conducted in 2007, which was prior to the Egyptian revolution in 2011 that may have had an impact on the trade e.g. in terms of law enforcement due to institutional challenges. Visits were made to Alexandria’s public markets in September 2014 – March 2015 in order to record the current status of the trade. Interviews conducted at the markets aimed to track the trade from fisherman to seller and consumer and provide insight into attitudes and perceptions. The survey reveals that there is black market trade as well as public trade of both loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in open-air markets. Turtles are sourced from fishermen who mostly catch them incidentally, though there are reports of intentional capture at sea. They are mainly sold by fishmongers for consumption of their meat and/or blood. Sale of turtle shells was observed in decoration shops that sell other marine species shells, and in spice and medicinal plant shops. Despite existing laws and previous conservation efforts of governmental authorities and non-governmental organisations, the trade continues mainly due to lack of enforcement measures, low awareness, traditions and poverty. Awareness campaigns and law enforcement at the fishery, market and consumer level is needed to change behaviours and halt the trade. The survey results and recommendations are being communicated to the relevant Egyptian authorities. Acknowledgements: SA thanks the co-authors and MEDASSET for providing guidance and advice on the survey design and implementation, and the ISTS for providing a travel grant to attend the 35th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. MEDASSET thanks SA for his enthusiasm and dedication as a volunteer, without which this citizen-science survey would not have been possible. 1

NEW OBSERVATIONS OF SEA TURTLE TRADE IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT Sherif S.

Liza

2 Boura ,

Mohamed A.

3 Nada

Alexandria, Egypt. 2 MEDASSET, 1c Licavitou St., 106 72 Athens, Greece. 3 MEDASSET, Cairo, Egypt.

FIG. 2. TRADE ROUTE FROM BOAT TO BUYER

INTRODUCTION

RESULTS

The Mediterranean coast of Egypt, though of minor importance in terms of sea turtle nesting levels, is considered to host important foraging grounds and migratory corridors. Among other threats to sea turtles in Egypt, illegal trade and consumption of by-caught sea turtles, especially in Alexandria, is documented at least since the early 20th century. Exploitation of turtles is not common in the Mediterranean, though severe till the 1970s. [1]

PUBLIC & BLACK MARKET TRADE FOR CONSUMPTION & ARTEFACTS

Public trade has resumed, black trade continues, with an increase in sellers and markets. By-caught turtles are traded for meat & shells. Blood consumption was not observed, but the tradition still exists. Eggs in slaughtered turtles are eaten, but no report of nests being targeted. No turtles were observed on display in restaurants, but a fishmonger specialised in turtle trade was willing to sell them for exhibition.

Fishermen catch sea turtles incidentally or intentionally

MEDASSET’s surveys documented the sea turtle trade in 1993 and 1998-1999, mobilised law enforcement and local conservation initiatives to halt the trade in Alexandria [2 & 3]. Further surveys revealed that each consumer group requires a different stimulus to give up consumption [4 & 5]. The last survey in 2007 showed past efforts reduced the trade, though some black trade continued, and the major threat was on board killing by fishermen [6].

IN 6 FISH MARKETS IN 3 AREAS

Direct observation or interviews confirmed: • Black trade in 1 wholesale fish market (Anfoushi) & nearby private buildings • Public trade in 2 wholesale fish markets (Abu Qir, Max), 3 local fish markets (El Medan in Anfoushi area, Abu Qir, Omar Basha).

Sell to Wholesale market Fishmongers

TABLE. 1. SEA TURTLES OBSERVED ON TRADE

CC: C.Caretta, CM: C.Mydas, EI: E.imbricata. N/I: not identified. Trade was directly observed in 4 markets & outside 1 private building (Fig. 4)

No.

EUROPE FIG. 1. LOCATION OF ALEXANDRIA , EGYPT

ON SALE BY 8 Fishmongers 31 2 Artefact sellers TOTALS 31

FIG. 6. SHELL ON SALE

FIG. 7. STUFFED LOGGERHEAD

Artefact sale to foreigners was noted by 2 sellers, implying CITES violation

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

SPECIES STUFFED

STATUS

23 7 30

N/I

LYING ON THEIR BACKS TILL SOLD from 1 to 30 days (average = 6 days)

Artefact & Medicinal shop owners

OUTSIDE FISHMONGER BUILDING (BLACK TRADE)

Sell to

DEAD/ SHELL

The current survey re-assesses the trade status in Alexandria, following the Egyptian revolution, which may have resulted in institutional challenges to control the trade.

Client waits as fishmonger cuts sea turtle meat. Note live turtles on floor.

Restaurant owners for exhibition

Sell to Local individuals & foreigners/tourists for decoration or other uses

4 trade shells or stuffed turtles, 1 more shop owner insisted stuffed turtle & shell were not on sale.

FIG. 5. TURTLES ARE KEPT ALIVE

Local individuals for consumption

Sell to

Local fish market Fishmongers

Sell to

AND ARTEFACT SELLERS

FIG. 3. PUBLIC TRADE IN FISH MARKET FIG. 4. FRESH SHELLS

Sell to

• 3 main suppliers: 2 trade publicly and 1 trades in private (same person reported since 1998)(Fig. 4). • Several others trade turtles occasionally

ALIVE

AIM

BY SEVERAL FISHMONGERS

In addition to the local trade route, turtles are said to be sourced from other Egyptian Mediterranean areas (Damietta, Port Said) the Red Sea.

1 MEDASSET,

1 Abdullah ,

17 22 15 1 3 1 4 1 20 23 4 15 62

TABLE 2. AVERAGE ANNUAL TRADE REPORTED BY FISHMONGERS Market Names Abu Qir El Medan Anfoushi Max O. Basha Fishmongers, N= 13 3 3 11 1 31 PER FISHMONGER 17 43 52 20 1 AVERAGE 1-48 36-48 48-60 1-50 1 RANGE

N. AFRICA

METHODS

LIMITATIONS

Alexandria’s fish markets and artefact markets were visited by SA. Locations were selected based on past survey results & current interview results.

• Sea turtle measurement was not allowed

• No. of turtles traded is likely underestimated via observational survey: 1. Observational survey  Visit frequency varied. Surveyor observed the trade and  Black trade in private was recorded observations in forms. not directly observed but confirmed via interviews. 2. Semi-structured interviews  1 artefact shop confirmed A total of 148 individuals of the having “many” shells, but following target groups were did not allow observation. interviewed in market areas:  Survey was not year• Fishermen (48) round, was outside the • Fishmongers (57) nesting season, during • Artefact sellers (1) bad weather that limited • Consumers or residents (42) fishing. In Sept. 2014 - Mar. 2015, locations were visited 31 times. • Willingness to collaborate varied among target groups Interviews started in Jan. 2015, and among locations/areas. after trust of target groups was gained.

Two fishmongers most active in turtle trade said they each sell 50/year. Sum of averages implies annual trade of 600-800 turtles, though estimation should be dealt with caution. Past estimates: 350-500 [3] and 400 [6].

INTERVIEW RESULTS

GRAPH KEY: GP=GENERAL PUBLIC, FG= FISHMONGERS, FM=FISHERMEN

FIG. 8. HAVE YOU DRUNK SEA TURTLE BLOOD? FIG. 9. HAVE YOU EATEN SEA TURTLE MEAT? 50 50 Yes No Yes No 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 0 FG FM GP FG FM GP Why? Yes: curiosity, traditions, health & fertility benefits. No: Religious restrictions

FIG. 10. ARE YOU AWARE THAT KILLING OR TRADING OF SEA TURTLES IS ILLEGAL? 50 40 30 20 10 0

Yes

Why? Yes: nutritious, tasty, traditions, health benefits, curiosity. No: don't like look of it.

FIG. 11. ARE YOU AWARE THAT SEA TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED? 50 Yes No 40 30 20 10 0 FG FM GP

Almost all prefer greens. Almost all do not wish to stop consumption but do not depend on turtles as a regular food source.

Do you know anything about their biology & life ? 79% replied ‘Yes’, stating that sea turtles eat seagrass, jellyfish, crabs, fish.

FISHERMEN SUPPLY SEA TURTLES • 98% incidentally catch turtles

• 4% release, 6% sometimes release, 13% eat, 6% sell, 69% eat or sell bycaught turtles. • 42 fishermen reported total bycatch of 217 turtles/year

IS IT AN IMPORTANT INCOME? • No: Almost all fishmongers & fishermen said they depend on fish sales as main income. • Yes: 1 fishmonger specialised in turtle sale, 1 artefact seller, 1 fisherman (compensates net damage)

MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS Despite existing laws and past efforts the trade continues and urgent action is needed to monitor &end the trade and reduce bycatch. • Year-round trade survey in Alexandria. • Investigation of alleged trade from/in other areas. • Law enforcement at landing sites, markets, black trade locations. • Awareness & education campaigns tailored for each target group. • Information campaign for tourists on sea turtle artefact trade. • Engagement of local NGOs, CSOs, experts & conservationists to promote and/or implement the above. Locations & seller names were submitted to Egyptian authorities for law enforcement, and a detailed report will be delivered shortly.

CITED LITERATURE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MORE INFO

1. Casale, P., Margaritoulis, D. (Eds.) 2010. Sea turtles in the Mediterranean: Distribution, threats & conservation priorities. 2010. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 294 pp. 2. Kasparek, M. 1993. Marine turtle conservation in the Mediterranean. Marine Turtles in Egypt - Phase I: Survey of the Mediterranean coast between Alexandria and El-Salum. Joint project of MEDASSET, NIOF (Alexandria, Egypt), RAC/SPA (UNEP/MAP). 3. Nada M.A. 2001. Observations on the trade in sea turtles at the fish market of Alexandria, Egypt. Zool. Middle East 24: 109-118. 4. Nada M.A. 2003. Sea turtles in Egypt: sustainable conservation through partnerships and participatory approaches with fishermen. In: Seminoff J.A. (Compiler) Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology & Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-503, pp. 107-108. 5. Nada M. 2005. Sea turtles in Egypt - status of the sea turtle trade in Alexandria's fish market (part II). In: Coyne M.S., Clark R.D. (Compilers). Proceedings of 21st Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Conservation & Biology. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-528. pp. 259-261. 6. Nada M., Casale P. 2008. Marine turtles in the Mediterranean Egypt: threats & conservation priorities. WWF Italy, Rome.

MEDASSET thanks SA for his enthusiasm & dedication as a volunteer, without which this survey would have been impossible. SA thanks the co-authors for guidance & advice. We are grateful to R. Snape and Dr. G. Schofield for help with species ID via photos. SA thanks ISTS Organisers & Sponsors for a travel grant to attend the ISTS.

CONTACT medasset@medasset.org for more details and

report (in prep.)