The BETA Technological Center is participating in a project to enhance the success of nesting episodes of the loggerhead sea turtle on Mediterranean coasts

Maximising the success of nesting episodes by the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) on Spanish coast is the main goal of a new project involving the BETA Technology Center of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), which is co-financed by the Biodiversity Foundation, of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.

The new project is entitled 'Management and assessment of the colonisation of the Spanish coast for nesting by the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) as adaptation to climate change (NIDOS-Caretta)' and is being led by Marta Pascual, Carlos Carreras and Lluís Cardona, of the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona. The researchers Mireia Aguilera and Helena Abella are taking part on behalf of the CT BETA, as part of its 'Caretta a la vista' project. The Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC) is also participating.

The new project will study the conditions of Spain's coast for future nesting episodes by the loggerhead sea turtle. This is a carnivorous marine species mainly found in tropical and temperate zones all over the world. It nests mainly on the coasts of Japan, Oman, Australia, the Caribbean and the east coast of North America, as well as in Cape Verde and the eastern Mediterranean (especially in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Libya, Lebanon and Israel). It also undertakes long migrations to feeding areas such as the western Mediterranean.

The loggerhead sea turtle: philopatric behaviour and sporadic nesting

In a scenario of climate change, the future of the loggerhead sea turtle may depend on its ability to colonise new areas. This species has philopatric behaviour, which means that females and most males return to the beaches where they were born in order to breed. However, some females do not return to the nesting area, and may occasionally lay eggs in new areas. The phenomenon of sporadic nesting, which is considered very rare, has been on the increase on the beaches of the western Mediterranean in recent years, and as such protecting those regions may be crucial for the survival of the species in the future.

Within the NIDOS-Caretta project, the experts will carry out a pilot test in Catalonia, which can potentially be applied to Spain's other autonomous communities, aimed at maximising the cases of successful nesting by the turtle. The project includes scientific studies to determine why nesting episodes have increased, and to improve protocols for the management and protection of these nests. In this context, the researchers Mireia Aguilera and Helena Abella will be involved in recording temperatures and will lead public awareness-raising initiatives.

The new project will also apply genomic tools to ascertain the region of origin of the breeding specimens, and to determine cases of multiple paternity in order to identify the number of males that are involved in reproduction in each nest. At the same time, the temperature records over time will be studied to identify how climate change affects the increase in nesting episodes.

The results of the NIDOS-Caretta project, which will conclude in May 2021, will provide new strategic tools that will help implement similar management plans in other regions, in order to improve the success of nesting episodes by this species throughout the western Mediterranean.

The UVic-UCC's Caretta a la Vista project receives funding from the Spanish Foundation For Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and support from the Ministry of Territory and Sustainability of the Government of Catalonia and the Spanish Herpetological Association (AHE).