February 5, 2021
Since 2017, the IUCN–SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group has been publishing Regional Reports that compile the most recent data with respect to sea turtles and their conservation. Each report represents one of the 10 MTSG Regions and their respective Marine Turtle Regional Management Units (RMUs). The regional reports summarize all pertinent data regarding sea turtle conservation in each one of the regions.
The Mediterranean is a separate region that hosts three, out of seven, sea turtle species. Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest here, while the huge Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is an occasional visitor mainly in search for food. There are also occasional encounters of olive and Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea and Lepidochelys kempii).
The Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed sea connected with the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar and the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. It has a coastline of 46,000 km and is surrounded by 21 countries.
Please read the 2020 MTSG Regional Report comprising the latest data for sea turtle populations in the Mediterranean HERE
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