Two other turtles recovered thanks to the collaboration of fishermen

Two specimens of Caretta caretta were landed by a fishing vessel of the Ancona fleet. The turtles were captured at about 8.9 nm off the coast of Falconara.

Thanks to the cooperation of fishermen other two turtles can be saved. Accidentally captured, it would almost certainly die if released immediately into the sea, as the two specimens of Caretta caretta were in a comatous state. The largest specimen has reported several injuries in the posterior part of the carapace, following contact occurred with the teeth of the rapid.

Once landed the staff of the CNR-ISMAR (Ancona) has entrusted them to the care of Cetacea Foundation, increasing the chances of survival of the two turtles.

The two specimens measured in CCL * CCW, respectively, 42 * 37 cm to 11.5 kg weight and 60 * 56 of about 30 kg. A blood sample has been taken on the largest individual, that will be sent to the University Politecnica delle Marche (Department of Biology and Genetics) for genetic analysis.

objective

reduction of sea turtle mortality in the professional fishing

project in brief

The conservation of Caretta caretta, a priority species included in App. II/IV of the Habitat Directive and protected in various international Conventions, has been representing a strategic issue for the whole Mediterranean basin, with professional fishing being the main threat for the survival of marine turtles: every year about 130000 turtles can be accidentally caught accidentally in the Mediterranean.

The project TartaLife, involving all 15 Italian regions overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, aims at reducing:
- bycatches caused by pelagic longline, bottom trawl and fixed nets by disseminating technical innovations of the fishing gears;
- post-capture mortality through trainings for fishermen and strengthening the marine turtles First Aid/Rescue Centres

TartaLife project

Life+ programme

The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental policy and legislation by co-financing pilot or demonstration projects with European added value.

LIFE began in 1992 and to date there have been four complete phases of the programme (LIFE I: 1992-1995, LIFE II: 1996-1999, LIFE III: 2000-2006 and LIFE+: 2007-2013). During this period, LIFE has co-financed some 3954 projects across the EU, contributing approximately €3.1 billion to the protection of the environment.

Life+ programme