Affiliation: | (1) Departamento de Zoología and Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, P.O. Box 22085, 46071 Valencia, Spain;(2) Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET) and Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, Blvd. Brown 3600, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina |
Abstract: | Aerial surveys were conducted to estimate the abundance and distribution of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Columbretes Islands Marine Reserve and surrounding waters (western Mediterranean). Four surveys were carried out during 2000 and 2001, following the line transect methodology. Loggerheads appeared to be present at high densities in the area throughout the whole year, although density varied between seasons, being more abundant during the spring. Mean density in the study area was 0.322 turtles/km2 (range 0.200–0.516) and the mean abundance was 1,324 turtles (range 825–2,124). The turtles were distributed homogeneously throughout the study area, we found no difference in loggerhead density between the water around the reserve and that in the rest of the study area. Current conservation measures planned by the local authorities, which include increasing the area of the reserve, would be very positive for the conservation of this stock.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff |