Sea turtles emit SOS – Photo exhibition on their relationship with humans

The timeless relationship of man with the marine environment and in particular with sea ​​turtlesan emblematic species of the seas, is its theme photo exhibition organized by the Mediterranean Association for the Salvation of Sea Turtles MEDASSET in the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 June 2022 in the “Warehouse” hall. The reason is world sea turtle day honored on June 16. The exhibition will be accompanied by screenings of two audiovisual works: a short film on incidental fishing and a documentary starring the sea turtle. The screenings will take place on Saturday, June 18 at Gas Station 1 – “Miltiadis Evert” Amphitheater.

The message that the exhibition aspires to convey has to do with the harmonious coexistence between humans and sea turtles, through a photographic panorama of images and moments from protection actions throughout the Mediterranean.

The photographic material comes from the pan-Mediterranean environmental program “Protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean”, which takes place in thirteen Mediterranean countries (Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon, Turkey, Albania, Algeria, Egypt, Cyprus, Morocco, Italy, Libya) and brings together under a common umbrella scientists, environmental organizations, international organizations (such as the United Nations), volunteers and local communities to protect this vulnerable species.

The events are held with the kind support of the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens and the communication sponsorship of the radio station Athens 9.84.

Sea turtles in the Mediterranean

According to MEDASSET program manager Amersa Tsirigoti, there are three species of sea turtles found in the Mediterranean. The Caretta caretta and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest in the Mediterranean, while the Dermochelys coriacea is a frequent visitor to the Atlantic for food.

All three species of sea turtles are on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The Caretta Caretta subpopulation in the Mediterranean has been categorized as an “Endangered Species of Reduced Anxiety”, but is heavily dependent on conservation programs implemented in the Mediterranean for decades. It is globally classified as a “Vulnerable Species”.

The Green Turtle is classified globally and Mediterranean as an “Endangered” species and the Leather Turtle as a “Vulnerable” species.

According to Tsirigoti, according to the Marine Turtle Specialist Group Report for 2018, there are about 1,822 female Caretta caretta turtles and about 800 female green turtles nesting in the Mediterranean, according to research by Sandra Hotshaid and other scientists in 2018.

The total number of nests of Caretta caretta turtles in the Mediterranean is about 8,179, while that of Green turtles is about 2,204, according to research by Paolo Casale and other scientists in 2018.

The main habitats of sea turtles in Greece are the Gulf of Laganas in Zakynthos and the southern Gulf of Kyparissia.

What are the dangers for sea turtles?

The head of the MEDASSET program, also speaking to APE-MPE, states that in addition to natural threats, sea turtles face many man-made threats, such as coastal construction that changes the morphology of nesting beaches and coastal activities that cause nuisance and accidents such as boat collisions with sea turtles.

In the meantime, accidental catches (by-fishing or bycatch) have been made many times, which is one of the main threats to sea turtles.

In addition to target species, fishermen catch random and vulnerable species, such as sea turtles. According to research, an estimated 132,000 cases of sea turtle catches occurring in the Mediterranean each year, leading to approximately 44,000 deaths, according to a 2011 study by Paolo Casale.

According to Ms. Tsirigoti, invertebrate fishing is still a major problem, ie the nets that are abandoned or accidentally lost at sea, known as “ghost nets”. These pose a deadly threat to marine organisms. These fishing gear acts as death traps as they continue to “passively” fish, resulting in vulnerable marine species such as dolphins, seals, sharks and sea turtles being attracted by smaller marine organisms trapped in them. to trap them too. Unfortunately, they end up suffocating to death in their attempt to free themselves. The problem of illegal fishing is at the same time part of another threat, this marine pollution, as modern fishing gear is made of nylon, so that it is durable and easily manageable by fishermen. Consequently, once they are out of control at sea, they can stay in it for up to 600 years.

Sea turtles also face a serious threat from sea pollution. In particular, the Mediterranean, notes Ms. Tsirigoti, is considered one of the busiest seas in the world, with plastic waste dominating in quantity among other wastes. The plastic pollution of the Mediterranean is one of the main threats to marine species. Turtles often confuse plastic bags with jellyfish, a favorite delicacy of sea turtles, as they have the same appearance and smell.

Consuming plastic waste, their digestive system clogs, creating the false feeling of satiety, leading sea turtles gradually to death.

Sea turtles and Climate Change

Climate change is another threat to sea turtles, says Amersa Tsirigoti. Climate change is a natural phenomenon of our planet, however after the Industrial Revolution in 1850 and the intensive release of greenhouse gases, there is an increase in Earth temperature.

Sea turtles have adapted and evolved to survive Earth’s climate change in the past. However, the speed with which climate change is evolving today, combined with anthropogenic interventions in the turtle’s natural environment, fills us with concerns about whether they will be able to survive. Rising temperatures due to climate change are a major threat to the sea turtle because the turtle’s sex is determined by the temperature of the egg-laying sand, with females being produced at a higher temperature than males.

Therefore, the increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the births of male chicks, which changes the sex ratio in the population.