Studies on the Ecology and Conservation of Marine Turtles: With Particular Reference to the Mediterranean

Studies on the ecology and conservation of marine turtles were undertaken with particular reference to the populations in the eastern Mediterranean: 1) The reproductive biology and threats to both the green turtle {Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead turtle (Care/ta caretla) nesting in Northern Cyprus (1992-1995) are described. 2) An assessment is made as to the effect of tagging of nesting marine turtles on their resultant behaviour and reproductive success. 3) An investigation is made into the efficacy of using Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags) as an allernative method of marking Mediterranean marine turtles. 4) Recent patterns of marine turtle strandings in the Mediterranean are described using datasets from Italy, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. 5) Results of a survey of the attitudes and knowledge of artisanal fishermen regarding turtles and their bycatch off the coasts of Turkey and Northern Cyprus are presented. 6) Results are given of a small study involving the identification of the dietary items present in the gut of loggerhead turtles in the eastern Mediterranean. 7) An investigation is made into the use of stable isotope analysis of marine turtle proteins to discern trophic patterns in marine turtles. 8) Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine contaminants in marine turtles from Mediterranean and Atlantic waters are described and discussed in relation to feeding ecology. 9) Concentration of heavy metals in Mediterranean marine turtle tissues are described. 10) Results are presented regarding the molecular profile of loggerhead turtles nesting in Northern Cyprus and comparison is made with populations nesting in Greece and Turkey. 11) Patterns of marine turtle mortality in British waters (1992-1996) are described