Priorities for Mediterranean marine turtle conservation and management in the face of climate change

As climate-related impacts threaten marine biodiversity globally, it is important to adjust conservation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Translating scientific knowledge into practical management, however, is often complicated due to resource, economic and policy constraints, generating a knowledge-action gap. To develop potential solutions for marine turtle conservation, we explored the perceptions of key actors across 18 countries in the Mediterranean. These actors evaluated their perceived relative importance of 19 adaptation and mitigation measures that could safeguard marine turtles from climate change. Of importance, despite differences in expertise, experience and focal country, the perceptions of researchers and management practitioners largely converged with respect to prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures. Climate change was considered to have the greatest impacts on offspring sex ratios and suitable nesting sites. The most viable adaptation/mitigation measures were considered to be reducing other pressures that act in parallel to climate change. Ecological effectiveness represented a key determinant for implementing proposed measures, followed by practical applicability, financial cost, and societal cost. This convergence in opinions across actors likely reflects long-standing initiatives in the Mediterranean region towards supporting knowledge exchange in marine turtle conservation. Our results provide important guidance on how to prioritize measures that incorporate climate change in decision-making processes related to the current and future management and protection of marine turtles at the ocean-basin scale, and could be used to guide decisions in other regions globally. Importantly, this study demonstrates a successful example of how interactive processes can be used to fill the knowledge-action gap between research and management.This work was conducted under FutureMares EU project that received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869300. The Mediterranean Marine Turtle Working Group was established in 2017 and is continuously supported by MedPAN and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. The work of AC was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project Number: 2340).Peer reviewe

Cycle reproducteur d'une population d'Orchestia gammarellus (Crustacea, Amphipoda) dans le lac Smir (Maroc)

Un muestreo mensual de Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766) en la laguna Smir (litoral mediterráneo de Marruecos) permitió analizar ciertos parámetros de su ciclo reproductor. Así, la reproducción se manifesta exclusivamente de octubre a mayo (con una breve interrupción en febrero), presentando un largo paro durante el verano, asociado a una fuerte mortalidad entre los adultos. La fecundidad estando también baja: una media de 15 huevos por hembra, es compensada por un sex-ratio de 57% de hembras. Además la longevidad corta, que no sobrepasa los 10 meses, es compensada por una maturación precoz a los 4-5 meses, lo que conduce a numerosos desoves (4-5). Esta población semi-anual y multivoltina, esencialmente controlada por la temperatura y la pluviosidad, presenta, un potencial reproductor, comparable a numerosas poblaciones de Europa. Estas características asociadas a un habitat cryptoz adoptado por los juveniles al momento de la crisis veraneal son essentiales en el mantenimiento de esta población de la laguna Smir.A monthly sampling of Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766) in lake Smir (Mediterranean coast of Morocco) has allowed the analysis of some parameters of the reproductive cycle. This study showed that the reproduction appears from October to may (short interruption in February) with a long pause during a summer, associated with a high mortality especially at the adult stage. The fecundity is 15 eggs per female on an average is compensated for a sex-ratio of 1:1 (57% of females). The short longevity not exceeding 10 months is made up for a precocious maturity (4- 5 months) leading to numerous broods (4-5). This semi-annual and multivoltine population depending on temperature and rainfall, shows also a reproductive potential comparable to many European populations, these caracteristics associated to Cryptozoic habitat of juveniles during the summer crisis are essential in the maintenance of this population of Smir lake.Un échantillonnage mensuel d'Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766) dans le lac Smir (littoral méditerranéen du Maroc) a permis d'analyser certains paramétres de son cycle reproducteur. Ainsi, la reproduction ne se poursuit que d'octobre à mai (interruption brève en février), presentant un long arrêt pendant l'été associé à une forte mortalité au sein des adultes; la fécondité également moindre, 15 oeufs en moyenne par femelle, est compensée par un sex-ratio de 57% des femelles. En outre, la longévité courte, ne dépassant pas 10 mois, est compensée par une maturité précoce à 4-5 mois entraînant de nombreuses pontes (4 à 5). Cette population semi-annuelle multivoltine, régie essentiellement par la température et la pluviosité, présente ainsi un potentiel reproducteur comparable à de nombreuses populations d'Europe. Ces caractéristiques associées à un habitat cryptozoïque adopté par les juvéniles au moment de la crise estivale, sont essentiels dans le maintien de cette population du lac Smir

The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Portunidae) is rapidly expanding its distributional range in the north-western Mediterranean coast of Morocco

In this study, we report the first occurrence of Callinectes sapidus in the rivers of ‘Oued Tani’ (Martil) and ‘Oued Negro’ (Fnideq), based on 127 individuals of the blue crab caught from November 2022 to August 2023. Additionally, we were able to determine the potential consequences of C. sapidus on the indigenous species as well as the socioeconomic implications on artisanal fisheries activities. This research highlights further data that reinforces recent findings on recorded blue crab from various locations along the Moroccan coastline

The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Portunidae) is rapidly expanding its distributional range in the north-western Mediterranean coast of Morocco

In this study, we report the first occurrence of Callinectes sapidus in the rivers of ‘Oued Tani’ (Martil) and ‘Oued Negro’ (Fnideq), based on 127 individuals of the blue crab caught from November 2022 to August 2023. Additionally, we were able to determine the potential consequences of C. sapidus on the indigenous species as well as the socioeconomic implications on artisanal fisheries activities. This research highlights further data that reinforces recent findings on recorded blue crab from various locations along the Moroccan coastline

Seasonal variation of marine litter in Tangier Coast: Quantitative and classificative study

Tangier city is considered as one of the most important commercial city in Africa as a result of the new construction of its port, Tangier Med. This study evaluated the abundance of micro and macro debris in Tangier beach and their pollution degree. In 2015, a total of 16 samples were collected by season and size between 1 and 5mm.&nbsp; The means of the results in macro debris are: 1651,4 g/season for plastic; 541,82 g/season for lumber/paper; 86,45 g/season for glass; 58,65 g/season for rubber; 42,5 g/season for metal; and 376,25 g/season for Cloth. The fragment presents the maximum rate with 18.75 g of a total of micro debris of 46,277g. The abundance of macro debris is maximum in season 2 (April-June), while the abundance of all types of macro debris is maximum in season 1 (January-March). The micro debris is very tiny throughout all the year.</p

Using Fishermen's Knowledge and GIS to Identify Fishing Grounds, Gears and Species in the Projected Marine Protected Area ‘Jabal Moussa'

Marine spatial planning and ecosystem based management such as MPA's has been used as tools to manage human activities, to conserve coastal ecosystems and biodiversity for the sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources. In this study, we focused on establishing a spatial distribution of the fishing grounds used by local fishermen in the projected MPA “Jabal Moussa”, identifying the most important species targeted, the gears used, and the depths of fishing grounds. A survey with 99 skippers was conducted between February and March 2019. Then data collected was analyzed and geo-referenced through geographic information system (GIS). The results identified 16 fishing grounds. Distribution of fishing gears was dominated by the blackspot seabream longline which was the most used gear. The most targeted species was the blackspot seabream. Fishing grounds where blackspot seabream was found had a deep ranging from 95.9 m to 328.9 m. Results of the study will provide managers of the projected MPA with valuable information and data to help the to adopt direct measures that can reduce the pressure on these valuable species, preserve the ecosystem and lead to a sustainable fishing