We are delighted to announce the launch of the “Sea Turtle Rescue Map”, a new tool that provides open-access to information on facilities that are rescuing and caring for sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
The project “Database & Online Map of Sea Turtle Rescue & First Aid Centres in the Mediterranean” stemmed from a paper by Ullmann & Stachowitsch (2015)[1] which called for ‘better information on the number and types of rescue facilities on a Mediterranean scale’.
Rescue centres and first aid stations play an important role in sea turtle conservation by providing care to sea turtles that may have otherwise perished. These facilities generate better understanding of the effects of human activities on sea turtle health and are also vital in the quest to uncover more about sea turtle anatomy, biology and genetics.
Through the new online Google Map one can find information about the rescue facilities that exist around the Mediterranean and can easily locate the nearest centre in case of emergency. By clicking on each facility one can view its location, contact details, and whether or not it accepts volunteers. Facilities are classified by type according to their rescue and care capacities: Sea Turtle Rescue Centres (STRC), First Aid Stations (FAST) and Informal Rescue Facilities (IRF).
The map is a most reliable source, as up-to-date information has been provided by each facility. It will be periodically updated, maintained and improved. The map was launched at the 41st Congress of the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM, Kiel, Germany, 12-16 September 2016), where Judith Ullmann presented a poster on the project to participants.[2]
We invite you to explore the map and we welcome your feedback. If you are working for a rescue centre that is not included in the map, please contact us. Read more about the project here.
MEDASSET is providing open-use of this tool to relevant organisations that wish to embed the Google Map on their websites.
MEDASSET would like to warmly thank J. Ullmann and M. Stachowitsch, rescue centre contact persons, MEDASSET’s volunteers (Justin Judge, Emily Sun, Holly Tzortzakis, Elena Bountouraki) and all those who contribute information and feedback for the creation of the database and map.
[1] Ullmann J, Stachowitsch M (2015) A critical review of the Mediterranean sea turtle rescue network: a web looking for a weaver. Nature Conservation 10: 45–69.
[2] Ullmann J, Stachowitsch M, Ben Nakhla L, Boura L. (2016) Going public: online map of sea turtle rescue points in the Mediterranean. Book of Abstracts. 41st CIESM Congress, Kiel, Germany (12 – 16 September 2016).
