Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region: A Gap Analysis by Alan Rees by MEDASSET

Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region: a Gap Analysis

Photo: ÂŠ ALan F. Rees

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ÂŠ 2020

United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat B.P.337 1080 Tunis Cedex â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TUNISIA car-asp@spa-rac.org

For bibliographic purposes, this document may be cited as: SPA/RAC-UNEP/MAP, 2020. Conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean region: a gap analysis. By Alan F. Rees. Ed. SPA/RAC, Tunis: 39 pp. Cover photo credit: ALan F. Rees

The present report has been prepared in the framework of the MAVA Marine Turtles Project financed by MAVA Foundation.

For more information: www-spa-rac.org

Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region: a Gap Analysis

Study required and financed by: Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat B.P. 337 - 1080 Tunis Cedex - TUNISIA In charge of the study: Ms. Lobna BEN NAKHLA, Species Conservation Programme Officer, SPA/RAC Mr. Atef LIMAM, MPA Officer, SPA/RAC Mr. Marwan ABDERRAHIM, Assistant Species Conservation Programme, SPA/RAC Scientific responsible of the study: Mr. ALan F REES

Table of Contents Background and key documents ........................................................................................................ 2 Gap Analysis remit ............................................................................................................................. 3 Process ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Results .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Organisations working on marine turtles ....................................................................................... 4 Nest distribution and monitoring ................................................................................................... 4 Other projects ............................................................................................................................... 4 Research gaps and priorities ......................................................................................................... 4 Funding sources ........................................................................................................................... 5 Discussion ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Requirements to reach good monitoring effort within the Mediterranean ...................................... 6 Organisational and funding gaps to reach good monitoring effort ................................................. 7 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 9 References ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Appendix 1: Research priorities based on TWG (2015) ................................................................ 23 Appendix 2: Research priorities in the Mediterranean based on Casale et al. (2018) ................... 24 Appendix 3: Draft updated implementation timetable of the Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles (2020-2025) ................................................................................ 28 Appendix 4: Regional and Country-level assessments derived from this Gap Analysis. .............. 30 Appendix 5: Potential funding for research and conservation in the Mediterranean. ................... 35

Background and key documents Two species of marine turtles nest in Mediterranean, Loggerheads and Green turtles. The Leatherback is relatively frequently encountered but does not nest in the region and records of the presence of other species are extremely rare. Loggerhead turtles nest mainly in the northern part of the Eastern Mediterranean but substantial numbers also nest on Libyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coast. Regular nesting in the Western Mediterranean is a recent phenomenon and appears to be a range expansion for Mediterranean turtles but also recolonization by Atlantic ones. Mediterranean Loggerheads are found across the entire Mediterranean Sea, whereas Atlantic loggerheads are limited to the western basin. Green turtles only nest in the Eastern Mediterranean with the majority of nesting concentrated at the north eastern part. Mediterranean Green turtles, bigger than around 35cm carapace length, are found in coastal waters around the Eastern Mediterranean, with high concentrations of adults along the north African coast. Overview reports detailing the current knowledge of the biology and distribution of Mediterranean turtles were first compiled in on data from the 1980s (Groombridge 1990, UNEP/IUCN 1990). An IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) expanded update was published 20 years later (Casale & Margaritoulis 2010). In the past five years further attempts to report on the status of marine turtles in the Mediterranean and key research gaps have been elaborated in the context of the MTSG and a working group convened at the 5th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtle held in Dalaman, Turkey. The output of the Demography Working Group at Dalaman focussed on prioritising regional research gaps and produced a list of recommendations (DWG 2015, Appendix 1) whereas the MTSG maintained the Country-by-country format of previous reports. The countries hosting the most turtle nesting all contributed along with several others, however not all countries contributed to this update (Hochscheid et al. 2018). Two further multi-authored efforts to summarise current knowledge and research priorities for Mediterranean marine turtles were published in the last two years. The review by Casale et al. (2018) presents biological data by topic and concludes with summaries of priority research and conservation actions, and threats (see Appendix 2), whereas Hochscheid et al. (2019) presents a more general review of our understanding of marine turtle status and presents a comprehensive map of nesting beach distribution and tracking results from both species nesting in the Mediterranean and is designed to be more accessible than the more academic peer-reviewed publication. The report on the state of implementation of the Action Plan for the conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean prepared by UNEP-MAP SPA/RAC describes the state of play with respect to the implementation, at regional and national level, of the Action Plan and constituted the base to its update (UNEP-MAP-SPA/RAC, 2019. Draft Updated Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles, by F. Bentivigna, UNEP/MED WG.461/6). The current Gap Analysis builds upon these previous reports and publications using input, where possible from national representatives, but also adds further information relevant to conservation activities such as funding opportunities and lists of contacts for organisations working in the region.

Gap Analysis remit SPA/RAC announced the call for this Gap Analysis to be performed, with the following aim and required outputs: “The aim of the Gap Analysis is to provide sound information on existing monitoring efforts (both organisational and funding efforts) to the group of partners and identify opportunities for ensuring a coordinated and sustainable monitoring of marine turtles nesting activity within the Mediterranean. The conclusions and recommendations of the gap analysis will help the group of partners to set up priorities for the next phase of the project (2020-2022), which will be decided during a workshop organised by SPA/RAC, WWF Turkey and MAVA Foundation in November 26 th to 29th, 2019 in Istanbul. In particular, the gap analysis will: Provide an overview of existing monitoring activities in the Mediterranean (organisations engaged and funding available); Evaluate the monitoring needs to reach a good monitoring effort within the Mediterranean; Analyse the gaps to be covered in order to reach this good monitoring effort (both funding and organisational aspects); Provide recommendations on how to fill these gaps.” (SPA/RAC 2019)

Process Upon completion of the contract, the following activities were undertaken: • • • •

• • • •

•

A spreadsheet for information and cover letter (request package) were produced and approved by SPA/RAC for distribution. Project partners and targeted key researchers in Mediterranean countries were contacted to obtain the desired information. An email seeking contribution to this initiative, including the request package, was distributed over MedTurtle the pan-Mediterranean mailing list for marine turtle researchers and enthusiasts. Existing relevant information from a number of sources (including Casale & Margaritoulis 2010, DWG 2015, Casale et al. 2018, Hochscheid et al. 2018) was extracted to supplement information inputs from partners and other stakeholders, together with expert personal observations based on years of activity and communication across the region. Nesting beach distribution and information about groups active at these beaches was compiled and mapped. Summary information was compiled into brief country-by-country sections A list of in-water and other projects together with the relevant active organisation was compiled to complement the nesting beach data. A list of potential funding mechanisms that conservationist can look into was compiled from stakeholder input, personal observation and extracted from the African Turtle Newsletter Volume 6 (Anon 2016). The above findings were discussed in the context of the Gap Analysis remit.

Results Organisations working on marine turtles One or more national contact point and their relevant organisation have been identified for the majority of the Mediterranean territories (Table 1). Important countries currently lacking contact points that may be found upon further networking and discussion are France, Croatia and Montenegro. Greece supplied information on the most groups working in-country at nine entities, followed by Turkey with eight and then Spain, Italy and Cyprus with four. Several researchers and organisations were additionally supplied by SPA/RAC.

Nest distribution and monitoring Responses were obtained from workers in 9 countries from the 13 countries where regular turtle nesting occurs. The main omission in terms of reporting nesting levels, locations and conservation actions was Libya. However, additional information on national nest monitoring programme has been completed and reports are prepared but not shared with the author. Loggerhead turtle nesting activity was confirmed in 15 countries, including those countries with only one or very few nesting events and green turtle nesting activity was confirmed in eight countries, with two of these countries having only sporadic nesting - only reporting one or two nests by this species ever (Figure 1). Loggerhead nest monitoring is well covered in Cyprus and also Greece and Turkey with some omissions. Monitoring programmes for the identification of nesting areas is being carried out in eight countries (Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon and Albania) within the implementation of the MAVA funded project (2017-2019). Elsewhere low levels of nesting, civil conflict or political conditions mean nesting beach monitoring is less regular or extensive (Figure 2). Green turtle nest monitoring levels follow the same pattern as loggerheads (Figure 3)

Other projects Several in-water research projects together with bycatch and other studies were reported by project partners (Table 2). Marine turtle rehabilitation actions occur in several countries around the Mediterranean. Information was presented on a number of these turtle rescue centres but a more complete list and useful resource is available (Boura et al. 2018; Figure 4).

Research gaps and priorities Regional gaps/priorities were mainly focussed non-nesting research (Appendix 3 & 4). Bycatch is a known major threat to marine turtles (FAO 2018) and assessments were a whole-Mediterranean data issue as well as the implementation of the mitigation measures to reduce interactions between marine turtles and fisheries. However, the MAVA bycatch project “Understanding Mediterranean multitaxa bycatch of vulnerable species and testing mitigation: a collaborative approach” (2017-2020) has gone some way to address this gap for Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco. Information on male marine turtles was identified as another important topic that needs attention across the Mediterranean, including determination of the abundance of males serving the minor nesting sites in the western Mediterranean and the migration of males to and from their nesting sites in the eastern Mediterranean. In the west a general lack of resources to monitor nesting was indicated, whereas in the east, identification of “lost years” habitats for neonate and juvenile turtles was also raised.

National gaps, presented in Table 3 (and Appendix 4), frequently highlighted a lack of national stranding monitoring networks that are useful systems for engaging stakeholders, identifying the presence of marine turtles and inferring threats from attributed causes of death. Cyprus is probably the most completely surveyed country with regionally important populations of both Loggerhead and Green Turtles. Turkey and Greece monitor their most important nesting areas, but some of the nesting beaches that are not monitored host more nests than combined national totals for the less extensively nested countries. Here, relative national-level conservation actions come into force, so that each countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural capital is protected. In general, research and conservation actions in north African and Levant countries are less advanced than the northern, European countries. This is no doubt a reflection on widespread political unrest and lower GDP of these non-European countries. Despite regionally important nesting being reported since 1995. The data on loggerhead nesting and their distribution in Libya are often fragmented1. Other North African nations receive only low-levels of nesting but have relatively high abundances of marine turtles in their territorial and coastal waters, with these in-water populations receiving very little study and protection. Tunisia, Egypt and Libya are highlighted for their importance with coastal foraging habitats of adult turtles tracked from Cyprus, Greece and Turkey but few or no protection measures are in place in these countries. The number of International and Regional projects 2 on marine turtles conservation has increased over the recent years in order to fill these gaps and collect essential data to be used for the establishment of effective strategies, policies and legal measures in this field. Yet, it is recommended that the existing and expected results of the said projects are mainstreamed in a common framework, and published, to avoid any eventual duplication and help their diffusion and knowledge across the whole Mediterranean Community.

Funding sources Lack of large-scale, long-term funding is of concern in many Mediterranean countries, especially the non-European states as EU funding is among the largest funding source available in the region. To aid financial sustainability, a total of over 60 funding sources was compiled for this initiative. They ranged in scale from country-specific to region-wide opportunities and in value from around a thousand to several million Euro (Appendix 5).

SPA/RAC is working on the elaboration of a compilation of the nesting collected data in Libya (2007-2019) within the framework MAVA marine turtles project (L. Ben Nakhla, Pers. Comm.). 2 MAVA projects on marine turtles, ASI (ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative), Bycatch and Species Knowledge (L. Ben Nahkla, Pers. Comm.).

Discussion

Requirements to reach good monitoring effort within the Mediterranean In terms of improved understanding of marine nesting abundance and distribution in the Mediterranean, the standout gap is the incomplete monitoring and baseline surveys of the Libyan coast (DWG 2015, Casale et al 2018, present study). However, the ongoing MAVA marine turtle project will allow the publication of a report on the nest monitoring, abundance and distribution in Libya (SPA/RAC unpub. data). This is the only country with major sandy coastline and known important nesting sites that has not been effectively covered for a baseline survey. The next most important gap is the lack of current monitoring and protection of turtle nests, in particular green turtle nests, in Syria. In this case the national coastline has been completely surveyed and relative importance of different beaches in terms of number of nests per species are known, however the regionally important green turtle nesting beach south of Lattakia is not being monitored and conditions there are worsening for marine turtles as large-scale sand extraction is taking place (A. Saad Pers. Comm.). The low-level nesting in other countries is adequately monitored through focussed monitoring programmes implemented by national teams (including institutional and civil society representatives) or through opportunistic reporting of nesting by the public and local stakeholders. Nest monitoring in the ‘big three’ countries for nest numbers in the Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey and Cyprus) are adequately monitored with the main nesting areas receiving some attention and monitoring is only absent or less frequent at nationally less important nesting areas. National unified and scientifically operated marine turtle stranding networks should operate in all Mediterranean countries, with or without nesting, as they provide important information on at-sea presence of turtles and the threats they face in national territories (DWG 2015, present study). Analysis of samples from stranding networks can indicate the likely source populations from which the turtles originate and localised high mortalities leading to populations sinks can be identified for conservation management. Most Mediterranean countries do not operate a coordinated national stranding network and sampling opportunities from stranded turtles are often missed from those that do, due to lack or resources and training. When stranding networks are in place, a desire to establish rescue centres to rehabilitate injured stranded turtles follows. Although these rescue centres can rehabilitate and release tens of turtles per year, at a population level these ‘victories’ are insignificant and it is the author’s view that to be most effective as conservation tools, all rescue centres are operated together with strong education and awareness raising activities. It is changing the mindset of the stakeholders and general public that will have a more impactful long-term effect on the sustainability of marine turtle populations. A combination of aerial and boat-based in-water monitoring programmes at coastal turtle hotspots can assess abundance and trends, both internally and through genetic analysis relative stock composition from source populations (DWG 2015, Casale et al. 2018, present study). However, largescale surveys are needed to identify the hotspots for future monitoring. Several countries, such as Greece, and Turkey operate in-water research projects (Table 2) with hotspots known at others from local observations and remote tracking, however a systematic baseline national abundance surveys are lacking from all countries. The practicality of undertaking such surveys varies greatly in the Mediterranean as the length of coastline varies greatly between countries. For example, it would be relatively simple to assess the straighter shorter coastlines of the Levant region compared to the longer convoluted multi-island coastline of Greece. Therefore, each nation should identify how much coastal water will be surveyed and how these surveys will take place. Based on the results of these baseline indicators, one or more key marine turtle hotspots should be adopted for regular monitoring, at intervals of no longer than five years. Bycatch is pervasive impact on marine turtle populations that is generally accepted to be the most pressing threat to their survival (See FAO 2018). However, in many cases levels of bycatch, by what gear, mortality rates and which populations are being impacted by fishing remain insufficiently

documented. Consequently national, sub-regional and regional bycatch projects should be continued to precisely quantify the threat posed by fishing (DWG 2015, Casale et al. 2018, present study). Some national and regional studies on bycatch have been carried out (Table 2, 3; Appendix 3), however large spatial and temporal gaps exist, and complications of differing methodologies inhibit the compatibility and adoption of results. Tracking turtlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; migrations and movements, generally accomplished through satellite telemetry, offers far more the point-to-point potentially biased findings from flipper tag recaptures. Tracking can reveal timings of breeding or seasonal migrations, important migratory corridors and residency patterns; all useful for targeted conservation management such as spatially and temporally defined and even dynamic marine protected areas. Consequently, tracking studies of adult and juvenile turtles are a priority action (DWG 2015, Casale et al. 2018, present study). To date only five nesting areas have so far received at least moderate attention in terms of tracking adult female turtles, these are Alagadi on Cyprus for both Loggerhead and Green turtles, and Laganas Bay, Rethymno and Kyparissia Bay in Greece for Loggerhead turtles. Furthermore, only at Laganas bay have any number adult male turtles been tracked. There is a need for tracking studies at key rookeries in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria and also Libya to identify migratory corridors and hot-spot overwintering and foraging sites for both female and male turtles (DWG 2015, present study). Likewise, juvenile turtles in under-reported regional foraging sites (e.g. Aegean, Levantine and Libyan seas) should be tracked to reveal hot spots, home ranges and seasonal movements.

Organisational and funding gaps to reach good monitoring effort Most marine turtle research undertaken in the Mediterranean is undertaken by universities or university affiliated organisations and government departments (Table 1). The notable exception to this paradigm occurs in Greece where the work is almost exclusively carried out by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). It is no doubt simpler to establish and find support for NGOs under more stable, liberal political environments, however NGO contributions to marine turtle conservation occur around the Mediterranean. Confirming the presence or absence of organisational gaps in several of the north African countries had been difficult to achieve due to lack of response to the request package that was distributed widely to turtle researchers around the Mediterranean. However, one might surmise that lack of response to this call for information is likely indicative that a more robust and extensive marine turtle research community in those countries would be beneficial. In total there was a lack of response from researchers in eight countries. Five of these bordered the eastern Adriatic Sea and three were from the middle east and north Africa. The author is aware of extensive research work being undertaken in three of the five Adriatic countries and their lack of response was likely due to lack of awareness and poor buy-in to this call rather than nothing to report. The situation from the remaining five countries is uncertain. Utilisation of the triennial Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles is an appropriate venue for sharing data and experience and setting three-year targets for research and conservation actions thus reducing the need to organise additional specific large-scale meetings. There is a lack of region-wide thematic working groups, led by relevant experts, that can discuss, update and prioritise actions for turtle conservation with a broad perspective. The region has experts in all fields â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from fundamental issues such as nest monitoring and management to technically advanced themes such as population genetics. Northern Mediterranean countries (except for several bordering the eastern Adriatic) have the luxury of higher GDP per capita than countries to the south and east of the Mediterranean and consequently intrinsically have more money at their disposal for activities such as marine turtle conservation. Eight of the norther Mediterranean countries are members of the EU and therefore have direct access to large amounts of funds aimed at protecting the environment and biodiversity. For

example LIFEeuroturtles (https://www.euroturtles.eu/#/) is a project with partners from six of the EU nations with almost €3.8 million of EU funding over a five year period (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_pro j_id=5867). However, collaborations between EU and non-EU countries are possible under the LIFE mechanism as demonstrated by LIFEmedturtles (https://www.facebook.com/lifemedturtles/), which is has non-EU partners in Albania, Turkey and Tunisia, and is funded to €2.2 million over four years. (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_pro j_id=7299). The UKs Darwin Initiative funding can provide collaborative grants equating up to £100,000/year for up to three years to OECD countries rated as ‘lower middle income’ or less developed, in the Mediterranean this equates to Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories’. Algeria, Lebanon and Libya can also be included if the application is to: “• advance knowledge, evidence and impact in Least Developed or Low Income Countries OR • contribute to the global public good, for example by advancing understanding and/or strengthening the knowledge base related to biodiversity conservation/sustainable use and poverty reduction OR • contribute to serious and unique advancements on a critical issue as a result of specific circumstances of the upper middle income country that could not be made elsewhere.” From the non-exhaustive list of funders compiled and presented in Table 3 it is clear that there are many avenues to explore to finance marine turtle research and conservation and it is down to the local organisation to determine which sources should be targeted. A researcher may even scan the acknowledgements section of relevant scientific literature to identify funding sources that have already been utilised for research similar to that requiring financing. Even with access to funds, national-level marine turtle conservation initiatives may lack capacity to fully realise the desired outcomes both in terms of absolute levels in man-power and appropriate skill sets of those leading and enacting the conservation activities. In such cases, International collaborative projects with strong training and capacity building components should be prioritised.

Recommendations The following recommendations mainly apply to the non-European countries of the Mediterranean and are based on the understanding that political stability is established and maintained to facilitate completion of the conservation actions. In all cases, it is suggested that thematic working groups are established and communicate regularly via email, which will provide direction and focus for the various strands required for marine turtle conservation but at minimal cost. For nest monitoring and protection, new funding should be prioritised to support efforts in Libyan and Syria that hold regionally important levels of Loggerhead and Green turtle nesting respectively. Completion of national baseline surveys of the Libyan coast should be included as part of the nest monitoring and protection activities there. A combination of small grants could cover the imminent costs of running a three-month nesting survey in the coming year(s), but larger, more long-term funding would be better suited. Funding of national stranding networks operating to a similar scope with regard to data collection and reporting should be encouraged and each national stranding coordinator should be part of a regionwide group where results are shared and analysed at a regional level and thematic priorities are discussed reviewed at predetermined intervals. Those countries that have well established stranding networks could host practical workshops on data collection methods and discuss face to face logistical practicalities of running the network. Funding for this initiative should be combined between state and private funds to ensure longevity of the network that will take time to establish and operate smoothly in each country. It is suggested that countries with known high-abundances of in-water turtle presence and limited or no nesting afford due effort to protecting turtles in their marine habitats. This should come in the form or in-water monitoring, threat analyses and establishment of appropriate conservation measures. Private funding should be made available to establish the required baseline information for designating appropriate conservation status to the areas, but state funding and support are subsequently required to manage and enforce protection. As indicated above, marine turtle bycatch is considered the most important and pressing threat facing turtles today, but the level of bycatch monitoring and research carried out does not reflect this perception. Indeed, if one were to ask national researchers “What are the main fisheries in relation to frequency of turtle bycatch?” and “what is the bycatch mortality rates with these different fisheries and gears?” the majority of responses would be “I don’t know”. Consequently, a joined-up regional bycatch research project using standardised methods and reporting measures should be initiated, led by a working group of already experienced and respected individuals from the region. Background to this should be a complete review of existing projects and available data that can be indicative of where to target initial and strongest efforts – according to findings from the past. International funding mechanisms should be called upon to finance these actions, but national authorities should support the effort through adoption of legal requirements of bycatch logbooks, self-declaration and, on larger commercial vessels the option for onboard observers. Tracking adult individuals (males and females) from the priority rookeries should be prioritised, as should tracking of juveniles in the lesser studied marine habitats, using the allocation of dedicated funding as the per capita costs of satellite tracking is considerable. Data obtained can be for exclusive to the researchers undertaking the work for two years after the tracking has stopped to enable them to analyse and publish and promote their findings but from that time onwards or before it is strongly encouraged that researchers offer their data for collaborative projects to increase sample sizes and permit stronger regional assessments on turtle movements. A good example of this paradigm is that collaborative analysis has been undertaken to some degree with the tracks from adult female Green turtles in the Mediterranean, but such collaboration is so far lacking for Loggerhead turtle tracks. It should be noted that part of the aforementioned current LIFEeuroturtles project is developing to commercial readiness a low-cost turtle tracking device that uses the GSM (mobile phone) network to

relay data. Should this be realised, the financial hurdle of entering into tracking projects will be reduced and the number of turtles tracked for a set amount of money will be increased. Identification of and support for individuals that can take on large regional datasets and extract best value from them through in-depth analysis and reporting working in tandem with a regional network of experts as suggested by the DWG (2015) will help maximise the utility of these hard-won research data. Too often research projects are funded and the results given basic analysis to cover reporting needs of the funders or to obtain a pass at whatever level of studentship the work has been carried out for. The valuable results then languish in unpublished reports or student dissertations and are not made available for incorporation into similar studies which would strengthen the findings of both the original and following research. As mentioned for tracking results, after a period where the researchers can justifiably exclusively work on their own data (with or without the help of dedicated external data analysts), the data should then be offered for inclusion in other initiatives. Each funder would like to think their information/data resulting from their financial contribution, with due acknowledgement, will be fully utilised to the benefit of marine turtle conservation, which would include use of the data outside of the initial project remit. To this end, targeted and prioritised post-doctoral research contracts should be funded and data from across the region should be submitted to provide the most inclusive and thorough analysis possible. An aid to this would be establishing a catalogue of research centres and individuals with specific expertise. Examples of experts in region in the realm of genetics would be the Carreras lab in the University of Barcelona, or Tikochinski in the Ruppin Academic Centre. Other fields of expertise may include, bycatch, sex ratios, development and maturation, movements and habitat use and spatial planning, not to mention environmental education and legislative process.

References Anon (2016) Funding opportunities for international research and conservation. African Sea Turtle Newsletter 6:28-31 Boura L, Touloupaki E, Rae V, Ullmann J (2018) Database and online map of sea turtle rescue and first aid centres in the Mediterranean. In: Lazar B. and Jančič M. (Eds) Book of Abstracts, 6th Mediterranean Conference of Marine Turtles, Porec – Croatia. p. 138 Casale P & Margaritoulis D (Eds.) (2010) Sea turtles in the Mediterranean: Distribution, threats and conservation priorities. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 294 pp. DWG (Demography Working Group of the Conference) (2015) Demography of marine turtles nesting in the Mediterranean Sea: a gap analysis and research priorities. Council of Europe T-PVS/Inf (2015) 15. 26 pp. Casale P, Broderick AC, Camiñas JA, Cardona L, Carreras C, Demetropoulos A, Fuller WJ, Godley BJ, Hochscheid S, Kaska Y, Lazar B, Margaritoulis D, Panagopoulou A, Rees AF, Tomás J, Türkozan O (2018) Mediterranean sea turtles: current knowledge and priorities for conservation and research. 36:229-267 Boura L, Touloupaki E, Rae V, Ullmann J (2018) In: Lazar B & Jančič M (Eds) Book of Abstracts, 6th Mediterranean Conference of Marine Turtles, Poreč – Croatia. p. 138 FAO (2018) The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. Rome. 172 pp. Groombridge B (1990) Marine turtles in the Mediterranean: distribution, population status, conservation. Report to the Council of Europe, Environment Conservation and Management Division, Nature and Environment Series No. 48, Strasbourg Hochscheid S, Kaska Y, Panagopoulou A (Eds.) (2018). Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean Region: MTSG Annual Regional Report 2018. Draft Report of the IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group. 177 pp. Hochscheid S, Aksissou M, Arapis T, Benabdi M, Boura L, Broderick A, Cardona L, Carreras C, Claro F, Demetropoulos A, Fuller WJ, Jribi I, Kaska Y, Levy Y, Maffucci F, Margaritoulis D, Mifsud C, Panagopoulou A, Sacchi J, Tomas J, Turkozan O, Rres A (2019) Sea turtles of the Mediterranean Sea. SWoT Report XIV: 20-29. SPA/RAC (2019) Gap Analysis on Marine turtles Monitoring in the Mediterranean Region. Unpublished Document. 3 pp. UNEP-MAP SPA/RAC (2019) Draft Updated Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles. By F.Bentivigna. UNEP/MED WG.461/6. 45 pp UNEP/IUCN (1990) Report on the status of Mediterranean marine turtles. MAP Technical Reports Series No. 42. UNEP, Athens. 204 pp.

Figure 1. Overview of marine turtle nesting across the Mediterranean region. Nesting site information from Italy, Israel, Egypt and Libya were only available at sub-national levels and are summed and presented at generalised locations. Red circles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Loggerhead nesting sites. Green circles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Green turtle nesting sites.

Figure 2. Organisations monitoring the main Loggerhead turtle nesting areas in the north eastern Mediterranean, based on information available to the author.

Figure 3. Organisations monitoring the main Green turtle nesting areas in the eastern Mediterranean, based on information available to the author.

Figure 4. View of “Map of Sea Turtle Rescue & First Aid Centres in the Mediterranean” web resource available from: https://www.medasset.org/our-projects/sea-turtle-rescue-map/

Table 1. Groups and contact points per country. *information supplied by direct from SPA/RAC Juan Antonio Carlos Carreras Caminas Jesús Tomás Luis Cardona Adolfo Marco Spain Spanish University of University of Estación Biológica Herpetological Valencia Barcelona de Doñana CSIC Association (AHE) *Françoise Claro *Gaëlle *Claude Miaud France Muséum National Darmon d’Histoire CNRS Naturelle *OTMFM *Ifremer CEFE

Italy

Sandra Hochscheid Statione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Bojan Lazar

Slovenia Croatia BosniaHertze’ Montenegro

Albania

Greece

Luigi Agresti WWF Italy

Toni Migozzi

Salvatore Urso

*Andrea Camedda

*Marco Matiddi

University of Calabria

Caretta Calabria Conservation

IAMC-CNR Sardinia

ISPRA

University of Primorska CNHM

BWI

*Institute of Marine Biology of Kotor (IMBK) Vilma Piroli Herpetofauna Albania Daphne Mavrogiorgos, Panagiota Theodorou ARCHELON

*Enerit Sacdanaku Giannis Orfanos

*Katerina Xenopoulou #Nikos Valianos

Laurent Sourbes

Giannis Psarakis

*Katelios Group #Wildlife Sense

National Marine Park of Zakynthos

Syllogos Toulipa Goulimi

Naxos Island Wildlife protection

Giannis Orfanos Panagiota Maragkou WWF Greece

Naxos Island Wildlife protection

Vicky Rae Eleana Touloupaki MEDASSET

Turkey

Cyprus

Yakup KASKA Doğan SÖZBİLEN Yusuf KATILMIŞ Eyup BAŞKALE

Ayşe ORUÇ

Serap ERGENE

DEKAMER

WWF Turkey

Mersin University

Andreas Demetropoulos

EKAD Melina Marcou

Robin Snape

Annette Broderick

Society for the Protection of Turtles

Marine Turtle Research Group

Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR)

Zeinab Farhat

*Nabigha Dakki

*Environmental reasercher

Marine reserve of Tyre

Cyprus Wildlife Society Adib Saad Syria

Ali Fuat CANBOLAT

Onur CANDAN Erdal ELGİNÖZ Local Group

Ordu University

Bektaş SÖNMEZ Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Oğuz TÜRKOZAN Adnan Menderes University

Syrian Society for Aquatic Environment Protection Ali Badreddine

Lebanon

Mona Khalil Orange House Project Yaniv Levy

Israel

Egypt

*Specialist in marine ecology Department of Ecosystems Ministry of Environment

National Parks Authority Mohamed Said ABDELWARITH Egyptian Env. Affairs, Nature Conservation Section

Nahla Najib *Environmental researcher

Libya

Malta

Almokhtar SAIED

*Salih Diryaq

*Elmaki Ayad Elagil

Nature Conservation Dpt.

Environmental General Authority

Nejmeddine BRADAI & *Olfa Chaieb & *Hedia Attia El Hili

Wael Ben Aba

National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM)

Tunisian Association for Wildlife

Vincent Attard Nature Trust Malta

Tunisia Imed Jribi University of Sfax Mouloud BENABDI Algeria

*Jamel Jrijer

*Sami Karaa

Notre Grand Bleu

WWF Tunisia

Marine turtle specialist

*Ahmed Ben Hmida APAL

*Hamed Mallat Marine turtle Specialist

*Yasmina Fadli PAN National Expert Algeria Mustapha Aksissou

Morocco

*Manel Ben Ismail & Sahbi Dorai

MEER

Association for the Protection of Marine Turtles in Morocco (ATOMM)

Table 2. In-water and other projects reported by project partners Country

Location

Lat

Lon

Species

Project Type in-water

Contact Name

Contact email

Comment

Caretta

Undertaken by (group) ARCHELON

Amvrakikos Gulf

39.02612

21.067003

ALan REES

alanfrees@gmail.com

C-M-R project incl. sat tracking and genetics.

in-water

Dalyan Beach

36.791884

28.619876

in-water

Spainsh Mediterranean waters

Both

DEKAMER

Doğan SÖZBİLEN

dsozbilen@pau.edu.tr

Caretta

Fundacion Biodiversidad

The foundation (see web page in Founding sources)

in-water

Naxos island, Greece

37.037787

25.433053

Caretta

Naxos Island Wildlife protection

Yiannis Orfanos

naxos.wildlife@gmail.com

38.171893

20.495028

Caretta

Wildlife sense

Nikos Vallianos

nikos@wildlifesense.com

In-water monitoring in the marine area of the island. All actions are in cooperation with ARCHELON In-water monitoring /'health checks'

in-water

Koutavos Lagoon, Kefalonia Cuma (Italy)

40.845823

14.047942

Caretta

Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - Marine Turtle Research Center

Sandra Hochscheid

sandra.hochscheid@szn.it

National Geographic Explorer Grant

other

whole coast

Both

SPA/RAC

Mouloud BENABDI

benabdi@gmail.com

other

whole coast

Both

SPA/RAC

Mouloud BENABDI

benabdi@gmail.com

other

whole coast

Both

SPA/RAC

Mouloud BENABDI

benabdi@gmail.com

Beach temperature monitoring to identify potential nesting beaches Implementation of the Marine Litter Protocol (RAC / SPA) Network of strandings of sea turtles

other

Aegean Coasts of Turkey

Caretta

DEKAMER

Yakup KASKA

caretta@pau.edu.tr

other

Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts of Turkey

Both

DEKAMER

Yakup KASKA

caretta@pau.edu.tr

other

Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts of Turkey

Both

DEKAMER

Yakup KASKA

caretta@pau.edu.tr

Life MedTurtles: investigating sea turtles in marine habitats and interactions with fishing fleets

other

Muğla Region, Turkey

Both

DEKAMER

Yakup KASKA

caretta@pau.edu.tr

other

Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts of Turkey

Both

DEKAMER / WWF Turkey / Doğa Derneği

Doğan SÖZBİLEN

dsozbilen@pau.edu.tr

A project for training of tourist and tourism facilities' staff supported by TUI Care Foundation Understanding of bycatch levels of vulnerable species (M4) supported by MAVA

Monitoring sandy beaches between Muğla and Çanakkale for sporadic nestings INDICIT II project; investigating the impact of marine pollution on sea turtles and other marine taxa

Table 2. Ctd. Country

Location

WestMed

Project Type other

Lat

Lon

Species

Undertaken by (group) AHE (Asociacion Herpetologica Espa単ola)

Contact Name

Contact email

Comment

western Mediterranean region (Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria)

Caretta

Adolfo Marco

amarco@ebd.csic.es

Both

Red de expertos en tortugas marinas de Espa単a

Juan A Cami単as

caminas.fao@gmail.com

North Aegean region (Greece only)

Both

MEDASSET

Eleana Touloupaki Vicky Rae

eleanatouloupaki@medasset.org vicky.rae@medasset.org

other

Mediterranean

Both

MEDASSET & iSea

Eleana Touloupaki Vicky Rae

eleanatouloupaki@medasset.org vicky.rae@medasset.org

Coordinated by RAC_SPA and executed by AHE, this action is under the framework of the MAVA "Conservation of marine turtles" project, focus on new nesting beaches for Caretta en western Med Recently we created in Spain a network of people working with marine turtles, including experts from the administrations, the "Red de exertos en tortugas marinas de Espa単a" that cover Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. It is organised in working groups each with 1-2 coordniators/animators, but activities are not currently founded, although some meeting are funded by the Ministry. Survey is a Rapid Assessment Questionnaire for presence/ distribution in-water and sporadic nesting. Also includes collecting data on presence of Dermochelys coriacea species SEAlly mobile phone app. Includes collection of observation data for Dermochelys coriacea and Shark Sp.

other

Spanish Mediterranean region

other

Med

other

Albania

Caretta

MEDASSET

Eleana Touloupaki Vicky Rae

eleanatouloupaki@medasset.org vicky.rae@medasset.org

In-water

Pilot sites in the Aegean and Levantine Seas (Foca, Gulluk, Kas, Fethiye, Antalya, Tasucu)

Both

WWF-Turkey, Doga Dernegi and DEKAMER

Ayse Oruc, Levent Itri Erkol, Yakup Kaska

aoruc@wwf.org.tr; levent.erkol@dogadernegi.org; caretta@pau.edu.tr

Other

Akyatan

Chelonia

WWF-Turkey

Ayse Oruc

aoruc@wwf.org.tr

Part of Albanian project, which also assesses the suitability of the Albanian coastline to support viable sea turtle nesting. It's a regional project. WWF-Turkey, DD and Dekamer are local partners of the Project. Other monitored species are marine mammals, shark and rays, sea birds Satellite tracking of green turtles under the Regional Project: MAVA M7 Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean

Table 2. Ctd. Country

Location

Project Type In-water

Kas-Kekova MPA

other

Mediterranean

Lat

Lon

Species

Contact Name

Contact email

Comment

Both

Undertaken by (group) WWF-Turkey

Ayse Oruc

aoruc@wwf.org.tr

Both

SPA/RAC

Anis Zarrouk

Anis.Zarrouk@spa-rac.org

Monitoring of green and loggerhead turtles in Kas-Kekova MPA during Fish Monitoring studies. Monitoring of interaction between green turtles and sea grasses & Pinna and loggerhead populations in the MPA. MAVA funded Bycatch project Coordinated by RAC/SPA and executed by INSTM and DGPA

Table 3. Turtle abundance and research gaps per country. # = single or sporadic nesting. - = no nesting.

Country

Cm Nesting

Cc Nesting

Population sizes Overall Cm Nesting Foraging

Nest Monitoring

In-water movements

In-water genetics

*****

****

*****

****

***

****

*****

****

***

****

***

*****

***

****

*****

***

*****

****

***

*****

****

*****

****

***

*****

****

*****

***

****

***

****

***

****

***

*****

****

***

*****

****

***

*****

***

Nesting genetics

Research and conservation actions Adult Stranding Bycatch Migration network research

Cc Foraging

** **

***

*****

** *

* **

*** **

** **

Appendix 1: Research priorities based on TWG (2015) Recommendations 1. (Cc Cm) A regional genetics analysis including the major nesting beaches and foraging grounds should be established. 2. (Cc Cm) Ongoing beach monitoring projects in Greece, Cyprus, Northern Cyprus and Turkey should be maintained and a new project should be established in Libya. 3. (Cc Cm) Aerial surveys should be conducted at key foraging grounds and repeated every five years. 4a. (Cc Cm) Satellite tracking studies: Needed for juveniles (Aegean Sea, south of Turkey, Levantine Sea, and Libyan Sea) and males from main breeding sites except Zakynthos. 4b. (Cc) Satellite tracking studies: Needed for Libyan Sea. Research on adult females should focus at the top five rookeries in Turkey, Kyparissia (Greece) and Libya. 4c. (Cm) Satellite tracking studies: Needed for south Adriatic. Research on adult females should focus at Akyatan (Turkey), Kazanli (Turkey), Latakia (Syria) and Ronnas Bay (Cyprus). 5. (Cc Cm) Stranding networks should be created in every Mediterranean nation to collect data and samples. 6. (Cc Cm) A regional stable isotope project should be established. 7. (Cc Cm) A regional skeletochronology project should be established. 8. (Cc Cm) A regional bycatch project should be established to update bycatch figures and assess postrelease mortality. 9. Support in the form of funded post-doctoral researchers is required to assist researchers in analysing and publishing their data. 10. A regional network of experts to advise managers and policy makers and data sharing and writing-up of research papers between multiple projects.

Appendix 2: Research priorities in the Mediterranean based on Casale et al. (2018) Caretta caretta; CM: Chelonia mydas; ALL: both species. Rank

Section topic

Species

Priority

Foraging areas and migratory corridors Population abundance and trends

ALL

Set up long-term in-water monitoring programs in key foraging areas for assessing sea turtle abundance and trend

Distribution Breeding areas Abundance

Threats

ALL

Threats

ALL

Population abundance and trends Population structure and dynamics

ALL

Population abundance and trends

ALL

Justification/description

Although valuable and necessary, nest counts represent a poor index of population abundance and trends, because of the high uncertainty of the parameters needed to estimate population abundance from nest counts. Quantitative estimates derived from distance sampling should be generated for key foraging sites across the Mediterranean. Assess distribution and level of In contrast to other areas, the level of nesting activity nesting activity in Libya along the Libyan coast is still unknown, and even the existence of major nesting sites cannot be excluded. The 66% of the sandy coast, corresponding to ca. 600 km ca., has never been surveyed (Hamza, 2010). The lack of information about nest distribution prevents any site protection plan, while the unknown nesting activity levels prevents the quantification of the abundance of the Mediterranean RMU, needed for conservation status assessments and for modelling population dynamics. Quantification of bycatch Bycatch in fishing gears, including small-scale (especially in small-scale fisheries, is the major threat for Mediterranean fisheries), associated mortality populations. Quantifying the mortality and catch rate rates and intentional killings in by gear and year is of paramount importance to key foraging areas and migratory understand the real effects of fisheries in the different pathways populations present in the Mediterranean Sea and the validity of the conservation measures already implemented and to propose new bycatch reduction approaches and tools. Understanding how climate The currently poor knowledge of the possible effects change might impact sex ratios, of climate change on several life history parameters geographical range and of turtles impedes understanding of the potential phenology gravity of this threat in comparison to others. Estimate/improve demographic Demographic data are of the crucial importance for parameters values feeding population models and guiding sound conservation management of sea turtles. Population vital rates are under the influence of both environment and intrinsic population factors and may differ between populations using different areas. Although some demographic information recently became available for loggerheads, environmental variance and different threat levels across the Mediterranean basin require further site-specific demographic studies, especially for green turtles for which such data are still lacking. Priorities: age at maturity, annual survival probability at different age classes. Improve population abundance Information on the population abundance by age is estimates still lacking.

Foraging areas and migratory corridors

ALL

Foraging areas and migratory corridors

ALL

Foraging areas and migratory corridors

ALL

10 Threats

ALL

11 Ecology and behaviour

ALL

12 Population structure and dynamics

13 Threats

ALL

14 Population abundance and trends 15 Threats

ALL ALL

Assess the movement patterns of Movement patterns and hot-spot areas are poorly adults from key rookeries known for adults (females and males) breeding in most rookeries. Priorities: the top five rookeries in Turkey, Kyparissia Bay (Greece) and Libya (loggerheads); Akyatan and Kazanli (Turkey), Latakia (Syria) and Ronnas Bay (Cyprus) (green turtles). E.g. through satellite tracking. Identification of development Knowledge on how ocean dynamics affect the habitats of post-hatchling and distribution of post-hatchlings/small turtles, what are small turtles. Dispersal and the pressures on turtles in these nursery areas and settlement patterns. the dispersal and settlement behavioural patterns will help to assess ecological niches and climate change effects. Tracking of small turtles is becoming more possible thanks to the recent miniaturization of telemetry devices. Assess the movement patterns of Juvenile movement patterns and hot-spot areas are juveniles poorly known in the Aegean Sea, south of Turkey, Levantine Sea, Libyan Sea and South Adriatic (both species) and in the Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea and Sicily Channel (loggerheads). This should be assessed using telemetry studies at each location. Developing and testing new There is a general paucity of bycatch mitigating bycatch reduction methods measures and the existing ones may not be applicable in all cases. Factors affecting turtle dormancy, Turtles are most vulnerable to threats where essential areas and susceptibility to resources are concerned, such as searching for food incidental capture (e.g. preying on fisheryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baits), or suitable resting places (e.g. on frequently used bottom trawling transects). These selection criteria need to be understood to mitigate interactions with fishing activities. Assess population structure The species shows clear signs of deep structuring in the Mediterranean that can be assessed by means of high-resolution genetic markers. The use of more informative mitochondrial DNA markers (Tikochinski et al. 2012), and the use of larger sets of microsatellites to populations across the whole region (Bagda et al. 2012; Wright et al. 2012) are needed to clearly delineate the management units. Debris ingestion: standardization To make comparisons among studies possible and to of assumptions and detect the areas of importance for this threat. methodologies (particularly on To reinforce the network of experts working on debris quantification) ingestion. To evaluate debris ingestion in the populations and effects and associated mortality. Standardize collection on nesting Lack of standardization make comparisons among population abundance areas or estimates of total abundance difficult and weak. Improve the knowledge of the Interactions depend on turtleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life cycle and fleets phenology of turtles in relation to strategies. Understanding these factors can facilitate areas of intensive fishing the implementation of effective mitigation measures in fisheries and fishing grounds, including related legislation.

Main threats to marine turtles at eastern Mediterranean nesting sites from Casale et al. (2018): Country

Cyprus

Egypt

Greece

Israel Italy Lebanon Libya

Region/ Beach

Alagadi (Alakati) Akdeniz (Morphou Bay) TatlÄ±su (Akanthou) West Coast (Lara) Chrysochou Bay Alexandria Port Said/zaranik Zakynthos (Laganas Bay) Kyparissia Bay Rethymno Lakonikos Bay Chania Bay Messara Bay Kefalonia Mounda beach Koroni Romanos

Predation

Nest Predators (able to reach the eggs)

Reported predation rate (%)

YES

Fox

YES

Fox, Dog

Variable

YES

Fox

Beach Debris

Erosion/ Sand Extraction

Coastal Development

YES

Light Pollution

Human Exploitation (in the past)

YES

YES YES

YES

Fox YES

YES

(YES)

YES

(YES) (YES) (YES) (YES) (YES)

(YES) YES YES YES YES

YES YES

Fox

YES

Ghost Crab

45-99

YES

Dog

Negligible

YES YES YES YES YES

Fox, Dog Dog, Ghost Crab Fox, Dog, Jackal Dog Dog, Marten

62 negligible 40 negligible negligible

YES YES YES YES

(YES) YES YES YES YES

YES

Dog

YES

YES YES

YES YES YES

Fox, Dog Fox, Dog Fox, Dog

65 10

YES YES

Dog, Fox Fox, Jackal

YES YES YES

YES

YES YES YES YES YES

YES YES

28 beaches

Human Use (Beach Furniture)

YES

Ctd. Country

Syria Tunisia

Turkey

Region/ Beach

Lattakia and 6 others Kuriat Islands Ekincik Dalyan Dalaman Fethiye Patara Kale-Demre Çıralı Tekirova Belek Kızılot Demirtaş Anamur Göksu Deltası Kazanlı Akyatan Yumurtalık, Sugözü Samandağ

Beach Debris

Erosion/ Sand Extraction

Coastal Development

Human Use (Beach Furniture)

YES

Light Pollution

Human Exploitation (in the past)

YES

Reported predation rate (%)

Predation

Nest Predators (able to reach the eggs)

YES

Canids, ghost crabs

YES YES YES YES

Fox, Ghost Crab Foxes Dog, Fox Dog, Fox

YES

Dog, Fox

YES YES YES

Jackal, Dog, Fox, Dog, Fox Dog, Fox, Jackal

33.9

YES

Dog, Fox, Jackal

75.5

YES

Dog, Fox, Jackal

YES YES

YES

YES YES

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

YES

YES YES

YES

YES YES YES YES

Appendix 3: Draft updated implementation timetable of the Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles (2020-2025)

ACTION A. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

Deadline3 / periodicity

By Whom

A.1 Legislation a. Protection of turtles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; general species protection b. Enforce legislation to eliminate deliberate killing c. Habitat protection and management (nesting, mating, feeding, wintering and key migration passages) A.2 Protection and Management of habitats a. Setting up and implementing management plan

b. Restoration of damaged nesting habitats

As soon as possible Contracting Parties As soon as possible Contracting Parties As soon as possible Contracting Parties

Immediate and continuous Immediate and continuous

Contracting Parties Contracting Parties

A.3 Minimisation of incidental Catches a. Fishing regulations (depth, season, gear) in key areas

Immediate and continuous

b. Modification of gear, methods and strategies

Immediate and continuous

A.4 Other Measures to Minimise individual Mortality a. Setting up and/or improving operation of Rescue Centres

continuous

a.1 Elaborate guidelines for the management of 1 year after rescue centers, including methods for data adoption collection B. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING

Contracting Parties SPA/RAC, Partners & Contracting Parties

Contracting Parties SPA/RAC

B.1 Scientific Research a. Identification of new mating, feeding and wintering areas and key migration passages;

continuous

b. Elaboration and execution of cooperative research projects of regional importance aimed at assessing the interaction between turtles and fisheries

continuous

c. Tagging and genetic analysis (as appropriate)

continuous

Contracting Parties and Partners SPA/RAC, Partners & Parties SPA/RAC and Contracting Parties and Partners

The deadlines mentioned are not intended in any way to postpone or delay the drafting and/or the implementation of legislation or management plans or of monitoring programmes etc. that already exist and/or are ongoing

d. Facilitate the networking between managed and monitored nesting sites, aiming at the exchange of information and experience B.2. Monitoring

continuous

a. Setting up and/or improving long-term monitoring continuous programmes for nesting beaches, feeding and wintering areas b. Elaboration of protocol for data collection on stranding d. Setting up national stranding networks

2 years from adoption as soon as possible

SPA/RAC

Contracting Parties and SPA/RAC SPA/RAC Contracting Parties

C. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION Public awareness and Information campaigns in particular for fishermen and local populations

continuous

SPA/RAC, Partners and Contracting Parties

D. CAPACITY BUILDING Training courses

continuous

SPA/RAC and Partners

continuous

Contracting Parties

E. NATIONAL ACTION PLANS Elaboration of National Action Plans F. COORDINATION a. Assessment of progress in the Implementation of the Action Plan b. Cooperation in organising the Mediterranean Conferences on marine turtles c. Updating the Action Plan on Marine Turtles

Every Five years Every three year Five years from adoption

SPA/RAC and Parties SPA/RAC SPA/RAC

Appendix 4: Regional and Country-level assessments derived from this Gap Analysis. Regional West Mediterranean Gaps: Data on bycatch rates, mortality rates per gear type affecting Atlantic and Mediterranean Loggerheads. Abundance estimates of Loggerhead turtles of Atlantic and Mediterranean origin. Lack of resources to monitor and protect nests. West and Central Mediterranean Gaps: Abundance of adult males at new and emerging nesting areas (Spain, France and Italy, [Malta]). General lack of information on males. East Mediterranean Gaps: Data on bycatch rates and mortality rates per gear type are lacking. Identification of “lost years” habitats and development grounds. Identification and protection of important coastal hotspots. Lack of knowledge on adult male turtle migrations and habitats. National National-level assessments are presented in terms of: Nesting – levels of nesting and by what species occur in the country, At-sea – known distribution and abundance of turtles at sea, divided by species, where appropriate, Institutions – how many and what institutions are working with marine turtles in-country and on what subjects (also see Table 2; main text), and Gaps – research and conservation gaps identified by national contributors supplemented with the author’s personal knowledge of the region. ES (Contributors: Adolfo Marco, Juan Antonio Caminas, AFR) Nesting: Spain has very limited nesting and only by loggerheads, notably some by turtles of Atlantic origin. Nesting levels are increasing in recent years. At-sea: Spanish seas have high numbers of non-breeding loggerhead turtles of Mediterranean and Atlantic origin. Institutions: There are several institutions working on protecting the nesting beaches and studying and minimising threats to turtles at sea. Spanish researchers are at the forefront of genetic research on loggerheads at a regional level. Gaps: Work has been and is being done to cover most important research gaps for conservation. FR (Contributors: Adolfo Marco, AFR) Nesting: France has very limited nesting and only by loggerheads. At-sea: French waters are likely to have high numbers of non-breeding loggerheads though this is unverified. Institutions: No institutions working with marine turtles supplied information, though there are teams working on MAVA / SPA-RAC project examining potential nesting areas and alerted for nesting activity. Gaps: Quantification of at-sea densities of turtles and the threats faced are lacking and will be useful for regional distribution mapping. Genetic characterisation of foraging turtles is lacking. Understanding of movements/migrations is lacking. Not known if a stranding recording network exists. Contact points for sea turtle researchers in France need to be identified and publicised. IT (Contributors: Sandra Hochscheid, AFR) Nesting: Italy has low level distributed loggerhead nesting along its southern Calabrian Coast. Nest numbers are increasing in recent years.

At-sea: Many loggerhead turtles present in Adriatic waters, the Aeolian Archipelago and the continental shelf towards Africa. Institutions: There are several organisations involved in regular beach monitoring and nest protection programs and rescue and rehabilitation. Gaps: Work has been and is being done to cover most important research gaps for conservation. SL (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: None At-sea: Limited territorial waters but research being undertaken. Institutions: University of Primorska undertaking research on turtles at sea including bycatch reduction. Gaps: Research suitable to the levels of turtle presence at sea is being undertaken. HR (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: None At-sea: Many loggerhead turtles distributed widely at sea. Institutions: There are organisations working for conservation of loggerheads in their marine habitats (BWI / NHMC). Gaps: Work has been and is being done to cover most important research gaps for conservation. BA (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: None At-sea: Regionally negligible territorial waters. Institutions: Not known Gaps: No significant work anticipated or required due to lack of coastline and national waters. ME (Contributors: SPA/RAC, AFR) Nesting: None At-sea: Many loggerheads pass through territorial waters for migrations. Few greens present. Institutions: Institute of Marine Biology of Kotor (IMBK) Gaps: Characterisation of marine hotspots for more-resident sea turtles. Bycatch data lacking. Stranding network lacking.

AL (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: Recently confirmed sporadic loggerhead nesting, likely to increase due to climate change. At-sea: Established foraging areas and known migratory pathways in territorial waters for loggerheads and few greens present. Institutions: Herpetofauna Albania fronting research and conservation activities including nesting beach research and in-water research using pound nets to source turtles. Gaps: Bycatch levels, better genetic characterisation of turtles present at sea. Not known if stranding network is present. GR (Contributors: ARCHELON, Wildlife Sense, Naxos Island Wildlife Protection, MEDASSET) Nesting: Several of the Mediterraneanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest nesting loggerhead aggregations present as well as less turtle-frequented beaches and sporadic nesting around the country. At-sea: Several year-round loggerhead hotspot areas identified with monitoring taking place at two â&#x20AC;&#x201C; occasional green turtle presence confirmed. Turtles present at many locations around the country in lower numbers. Seasonal increases in turtle presence at nesting sites before and during the nesting season. Regular green turtle specific development habitat identified in Lakonikos Bay.

Institutions: ARCHELON is the main conservation organisation monitoring the main nesting areas, foraging area and running the country’s dedicate sea turtle rescue centre – together with education programme. Wildlife Sense and Katelios Group monitor sea turtle nesting on Kefalonia and Wildlife Sense also study turtles in a lagoon. NMPZ manages nesting habitat for Lagans Bay. Other small local groups undertake localised nest protection surveys in moderate and minor nesting areas. MEDASSET operates out of Greece and undertakes education and awareness activities in-country. Gaps: Some coastal areas have not been surveyed for 20 years and a resurvey maybe due, however ARCHELON receives reports of nesting events through its national network so the chances of important nesting areas being missed is negligible. Movement of turtles nesting at several major nesting beaches is lacking. Identifying the origin of green turtles in Lakonikos Bay; a well-established early postsettlement development habitat. Limited work with fishers on bycatch and changing attitudes. TR (Contributors: Yukup Kaska, Doğan Sözbilen, Oğuz Türkozan) Nesting: Important nesting areas for both loggerheads and especially for greens. Nesting beaches are officially designated by the national authority. At-sea: Year-round presence of both species of turtle. Seasonal increases in both species before and during breeding season. Institutions: Several Universities and NGOs involved in sea turtle monitoring and research both nesting and in-water (at Dalyan). Gaps: “Kazanlı beach, one of the most important green turtle nesting beaches, needs regular beach monitoring”. Several other important nesting beaches are not monitored. Marine hotspots need to be further identified. More work on bycatch. No national stranding network present. Migration routes not extensively studied. Financial sustainability uncertain. Incorporation local stakeholders in conservation activities can be improved. Improved advocacy towards decision makers / authorities. CY (Contributors: SPOT/MTRG) Nesting: Moderate to high levels of nesting around the Island by both loggerhead and green turtles At-sea: Coastal waters shown to be important development and foraging habitats and probable sink for juvenile turtles. Additionally, seasonally active coastal migratory corridors and increased turtle presence for breeding. Institutions: Cyprus Wildlife Society monitors beaches in its jurisdiction and Society for the Protection of Turtles undertakes marine research and monitors nesting on its territory. Gaps: Limited, but migrations and genetic characterisation of turtles from southern Cyprus are not known. SY (Contributors: Adib Saad, AFR) Nesting: Regionally important green turtle rookery (Latakia) with other low-level nesting beaches and lowlevel loggerhead nesting present, especially to the south. At-sea: Overwintering and developmental habitats for loggerhead and green turtles present along the coast. Seasonal increases in green turtles before and during breeding season. Institutions: SSAEP is ready to undertake work when political situation improves but has managed to undertake some beach surveys in recent years Gaps: Limited research and conservation actions taking place because of internal social conflict / war. Genetic characterisation of green turtle nesters and migratory routes of these turtles lacking. Stranding network lacking. LB (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: Low level green turtle nesting at Al Mansouri beach with loggerhead nesting on the same and other beaches. At-sea: Coastal waters part of migratory corridor for adult female turtles.

Institutions: Orange House Project works for nest protection on Al Mansouri beach. Other nesting beaches part of reserves, but no contacts or information available on activities being completed there. Gaps: Limited work currently undertaken. Many gaps exist. Not sure if all beaches have been surveyed or if known nesting beaches are currently being surveyed. IL (Contributors: Yaniv Levy) Nesting: Low level green turtle nesting along the coast. Loggerhead nesting along the coast. At-sea: loggerhead and green turtles present year-round in nearshore waters. Institutions: National Parks Authority undertake monitoring along all the main beaches of Israel, run a rescue centre and have initiated a green turtle restocking program through captive breeding. Gaps: Work has been and is being done to cover most important research gaps for conservation. EG (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: Small amounts of nesting by both species occurs, mainly on Sinai coast. At-sea: Coastal habitats used as foraging grounds and migratory corridors. At least one hotspot (Lake Bardawil) identified. Institutions: Egyptian Environmental Affairs, Nature Conservation Section is part of this MAVA project. Political instability hindering environmental action. Gaps: Many research gaps exist. Lake Bardawil needs further investigations and conservation management. Other marine hotspots should be identified, and at-sea protection of turtles prioritised. Stranding network is lacking. LY (Contributors: AFR) Nesting: Low to moderate loggerhead nesting occurs along the surveyed part of the coast. At-sea: Coastal waters are known overwintering and migratory corridors for both loggerheads and greens Institutions: The government’s Nature Conservation department is part of this MAVA project. Political instability hindering environmental action. Gaps: Many research gaps exist. 60% of sandy coastline still not surveyed. Turtles in important marine areas not receiving prioritisation. Stranding network lacking. MT (Contributors: Vincent Attard) Nesting: Occasional nesting by loggerheads. Currently not more than 1 per year. At-sea: loggerhead turtles present in the sea, caught as bycatch and stranded. Tracking indicates Maltese waters part of migratory ‘corridor’ for adult female loggerhead turtles. Institutions: Maltese Nature Trust. ERA Gaps: Work has been and is being done to cover most important research gaps for conservation, relative to the number of turtles present in Malta. TN (Contributors: Imed Jribi, AFR) Nesting: Low-level loggerhead nesting on two islands. A first green turtle nest was reported in 2019. At-sea: Historically known as ‘Gulf of Gabes’ all of Tunisia’s coastal shelf is important overwintering habitat for adult loggerhead turtles. Institutions: University of Sfax and National Institute of Marine Science and Technology undertaking conservation activities including nesting beach studies. Gaps: Nesting levels on unstudied beaches needs quantifying. Anthropogenic threats need quantifying. Migratory behaviour of nesting females lacking. Hatchling sex ratios need further study. Better genetic characterisation of nesting turtles required. Stranding network lacking DZ (Contributors: Mouloud Benabdi, AFR) Nesting: One loggerhead nest identified from hatchling emergence.

At-sea: Numerous turtles at sea from Mediterranean and Atlantic stocks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; indicated by satellite tracking. Institutions: Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy of Algeria (MEER) Gaps: Lack of governmental, institutional and public support for turtle conservation exacerbated by lack of funding identified as gaps, by country expert. Research on and protection of turtles at sea more pressing gap than potential for future nesting assemblages. Stranding network lacking. MA (Contributors: Mustapha Aksissou, AFR) Nesting: None â&#x20AC;&#x201C; stranding surveys should be picking up any nesting. At-sea: Loggerhead and leatherback turtles from Atlantic present in substantial numbers. Institutions: ATOMM is undertaking stranding surveys. Gaps: Bycatch studies and turtle protection in marine habitats most needed.

Appendix 5: Potential funding for research and conservation in the Mediterranean. Funder

Info

URL

Australia Awards for Africa

The Australia Awards is the cornerstone of the Australian Government's development assistance program for Africa. It provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards alumni are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries.

http://www.australiaawardsafrica.org/

AuthorAID

http://www.authoraid.info/en/news/details/998/

BETUYAP

Has been supporting monitoring in Turkey

https://www.betuyab.com.tr/tr

Botaş International

Has been supporting monitoring in Turkey

https://www.bil.gov.tr/

British Chelonian Group

Applications are welcomed from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of conservation of chelonia. Small Grant Awards

http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/bcginfo/conservation

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers

Supplies volunteers to work on nesting beach monitoring projects

Brevard Zoo: Conservation Fund

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/brevardzoo-conservationfundPostdoctoralResearchers Working Professionals Faculty Graduate Students Independent Researchers NGO

British Ecological Society

http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/funding/

Columbus Zoo Wildlife Conservation Grants

https://globalimpact.columbuszoo.org/about/col umbus-zoo-fund-for-conservation

Conservation Fund

https://swbg-conservationfund.org/en/grantseekers

Conservation Trust Grant

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/nationalgeographic-conservation-trust-grant

Darwin Initiative

The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme that helps to protect biodiversity and the natural environment through locally based projects worldwide. Eligible countries: "Egypt - Morocco - Syria - Tunisia Occupied Palestinian Territories" & possibly... "Algeria Lebanon - Libya - Turkey"

https://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) makes grants for wildlife studies, habitat protection, and community conservation and education in critical ecosystems around the world. DWCF supports projects that build on previous work, and that have the potential to contribute to long-term conservation. Eligibility extends to U.S. nonprofit organizations.

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/environmen t/#disney-conservation-fund

EarthWatch

Earthwatch supports scientific field projects in topics of ecosystems and biodiversity in several world regions. Applicants to lead these field projects can be of any nationality. Earthwatch invites projects that have a strong rationale for using non-specialists (volunteers) to aid with data collection, scientific observation, or other research tasks.

http://earthwatch.org/scientificresearch/scientist-opportunities/working-withearthwatch

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Turkey) Agricultural Office

Conservation and monitoring marine turtles

Erasmus Mundus

Graduate and Postdoctoral programmes in Europe for North Africans

http://www.al-idrisi.eu/index.php/en/

EU Interreg

Interreg is one of the key instruments of the European Union (EU) supporting cooperation across borders through project funding. Its aim is to jointly tackle common challenges and find shared solutions in fields such as health, environment, research, education, transport, sustainable energy and more.

https://interreg.eu/

EU Life

The environment sub-programme funds nature conservation projects in particular in the areas of biodiversity, habitats and species. It provides action grants for best practice, pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the EU’s directives on birds and habitats, the EU’s biodiversity strategy to 2020, and the development, implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network.

European Regional Development Fund

Funding construction of a wildlife rehab centre in Malta

European Outdoor Conservation Association: Conservation Grants

https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/life

https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/funding/ erdf/ https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/europeanoutdoor-conservation-associationconservation-grants

Explorers Club -- Grants for Student Exploration and Field Research

The Explorers Club makes grants to students for international field projects, including projects focusing on environment and natural resources. The Exploration Fund is for graduate and post-graduate students, including early-career post-doctoral students. There are no nationality restrictions.

https://explorers.org/expeditions/funding/expedi tion_grants

Flora and Fauna International

Several award schemes to researchers from other than high-income countries. E.g. the conservation leadership award. Offered annually

http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme. org/

Ford Middle East

The programme was created to empower individuals and non-profit groups donating their time and effort to preserve the environmental well-being of their communities. By providing necessary funding and visibility, we hope to encourage the multiplication of similar grassroots efforts that will serve as catalysts for change across the globe.

https://www.me.ford.com/en/omn/about/environ ment/overview/

Fundacion Biodiveridad, Spain

A Foundation under the Ministry for the ecological transition - for SPAIN

https://fundacionbiodiversidad.es/es/biodiversidad-marina-ylitoral/proyectos-propios/life-ip-paf-intemares

Geranti Bank

Funding various monitoring and research initiatives in Turkey

Greek GREEN FUND

Environmental projects in Greece only

http://www.prasinotameio.gr/index.php/el/

Honours and Undergraduate Student Travel Subsidy

Research, Conference / Training / Travel for Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, New Caledonia, AustraliaStudents

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/australianwildlife-management-society-s-honours-andundergraduate-student-travel-subsidy

Ideawild

(good for equipment)

http://www.ideawild.org/apply.html

International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) -- Transparency and Accountability in Governance of Natural Resources.

3ie will fund up to two impact evaluations that aim to increase transparency and accountability in the governance of non-renewable natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals, and metals. Proposals should focus on impact evaluations of interventions in developing countries, with a preference for research in low-income countries. Applications are invited from research institutions and consortia.

http://www.3ieimpact.org/en/funding/thematicwindow/transparency-and-accountabilitythematic-window/

Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund

The Keidanren Fund supports field projects in environment, biodiversity, and natural resources in developing countries, with emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. The program is open to groups and organizations with appropriate legal status, and at least three years of experience in nature conservation. Grants are for one year. Approximate amount = 30k. Past awards have been made for research, environmental education, and some conference funds. Keidanren has funded projects associated w/reef conservation, small scale fisheries, mangroves - see list of past supported projects on website.

http://www.keidanren.net/kncf/en/fund/about/

https://myrggs.amnh.org/documents/admission s/lgint11.pdf https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/maj-andtor-nessling-foundation-environmentalresearch-grant

Lerner-Gray Grants from AMNH Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation: Environmental Research Grant Mavi Jeans

has been supporting monitoring in Turkey

Mohamad Bin Zayad Species Conservation Fund

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is a significant philanthropic endowment established to provide targeted grants to individual species conservation initiatives, recognize leaders in the field of species conservation and elevate the importance of species in the broader conservation debate. To date the fund has awarded over 1900 grants to a diverse range of species across the world.

http://www.speciesconservation.org/

National Geographic

transformative ideas in the fields of conservation, education, research, storytelling and technology

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/fundingopportunities/ http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/g rants-programs/cre/

National Geographic Society  Nestle Turkey (cereals department)

Funding various monitoring initiatives in Turkey

NGS-Conservation Trust

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/g rants-programs/conservation-trust/

Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World

http://owsd.ictp.it/resources/opportunities

PADI Foundation

The PADI FOUNDATION encourages and supports underwater science, environmental projects, and education. The Foundation will fund and assist worthwhile projects that will enrich mankind's understanding of the aquatic environment and encourage sensitivity to and protection of the delicate ecological balance of underwater life.

http://www.padifoundation.org/

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/paul-mangell-family-foundation-paul-m-angell-familyfoundation-conservation-grant

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Conservation Grant

People’s Trust for Endangered Species

We fund the very best conservation organisations, scientific researchers and wildlife experts out in the field through our various grants programmes. Through this critical research we’re unearthing the evidence that makes effective conservation action possible, standing us apart from other wildlife organisations.

https://ptes.org/grants/

Phoenix Zoo -- Grants for Conservation and Science

The Phoenix Zoo (Arizona, USA) makes small grants to support wildlife conservation and science worldwide. Priority is for practical projects that help build capacity, and that involve local communities.

http://phoenixzoo.org/conservation/globalconservation/

Prince Albert II Foundation

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation makes grants for global environmental stability in themes of climate change, energy, biodiversity, access to water, and the fight against desertification. In each grants cycle, the Foundation defines priority focus areas within these themes.

http://www.fpa2.com/fondation.asp?page=depo sez_vos_projets#

Prince Bernhard Nature Fund

The Prince Bernhard Nature Fund aims to help save critically endangered flora and fauna in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/princebernhard-nature-fund-grant

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden -- International Wildlife Conservation

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (USA) makes grants for field conservation; habitat management; conservation education; ex situ captive breeding; animal health and welfare; and other themes in wildlife research and conservation.

https://society.riverbanks.org/donate/conservati on-support-fund

Rolex Awards

The Rolex Awards for Enterprise support pioneering work in five areas: applied technology; cultural heritage; environment; exploration and discovery; and science and health. Projects are assessed on their originality, potential for impact, feasibility, and the candidates' own spirit of enterprise.

http://www.rolexawards.com/

Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation

The Rufford Small Grants Foundation provides funding for small nature/biodiversity conservation projects and pilot programmes in developing countries.

http://www.rufford.org/

Save Our Seas

Save Our Seas makes grants for marine research, conservation, and education worldwide.

http://saveourseas.com/funding

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens -Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund makes grants for wildlife conservation, research, and education.

https://swbg-conservationfund.org/en/grantseekers

Smith Fellowship (Post Doctoral)

The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program seeks to develop future world leaders and entrepreneurs who are successful at linking conservation science and application. Smith Fellowships provide two years of postdoctoral support to outstanding early-career scientists.

http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/smith-fellows

SPA/RAC

Funding for exploratory surveys and research on potential sea turtle nesting and stranding surveys and implementation of the marine litter protocol

http://www.rac-spa.org/marine_turtles_pr

SWoT

SWOT small grants help field-based sea turtle research and conservation projects realize their goals in each of SWOT’s three areas of focus: networking and capacity building, science, and education and outreach.

https://www.seaturtlestatus.org/grants

Tetouan University

Students publications

www.uae.ma

TUBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological and Research Council of Turkey)

Funds specific research projects, not monitoring, in Turkey

https://www.tubitak.gov.tr/

TUI Care Foundation

Currently supporting projects in Greece and Turkey education and awareness

https://www.tuicarefoundation.com/en/takeaction/propose-a-project

TWAS Research Grants

http://twas.org/opportunities/research-grants

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

https://www.fws.gov/international/grants-andreporting/how-to-apply.html

UNDP Turkey Small Grant Programme (SGP)

Funding various monitoring and research initiatives in Turkey

United for a Sustainable Future Grant

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/sea-pactunited-for-a-sustainable-future-grant

Waitt Foundation Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grant

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/rapidocean-conservation-roc-grantAcademic

Wildlife Acoustics Scientific Product Grant

https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/wildlifeacoustics-scientific-product-grant

WWF International / WWF USA / WWF Med Marine Initiative

Funding bycatch and monitoring projects in Turkey