Open AccessOn the front line: integrated habitat mapping for olive ridley sea turtles in the southeast A tlantic
Author(s) -
Pikesley Stephen K.,
Maxwell Sara M.,
Pendoley Kellie,
Costa Daniel P.,
Coyne Michael S.,
Formia Angela,
Godley Brendan J.,
Klein Warren,
MakangaBahouna Junior,
Maruca Sheryl,
Ngouessono Solange,
Parnell Richard J.,
PemoMakaya Edgard,
Witt Matthew J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.12118
Subject(s) - bycatch , habitat , fishery , fishing , geography , sea turtle , turtle (robot) , ecology , marine protected area , marine habitats , biology
Aim Knowledge and understanding of marine vertebrate spatial ecology are required to identify sources of threat and highlight areas for conservation. Olive ridley sea turtles L epidochelys olivacea are in decline in some regions, and data for the E astern A tlantic are sparse. Here, we seek to describe observed, and potential, post‐nesting habitats for this species in the southeast A tlantic. We contextualize these with fisheries catch data to identify areas of potential threat from fisheries interaction for this species. Location West coast of A frica, southeast A tlantic. Methods We tracked 21 female olive ridley turtles, from two nesting sites, between 2007 and 2010. We used ensemble ecological niche modelling, integrated with knowledge on the physical and biological oceanographic environment, to identify regions where environmental variables exist that may be critical in defining post‐nesting habitats for this species. We further integrate fisheries catch data to contextualize potential threat from fisheries. Results We describe key areas of observed, and potential, olive ridley turtle occurrence at sea, and reveal that there was considerable overlap of these conspecifics, from two distinct nesting regions, within the A ngolan exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ). With the inclusion of fisheries catch data for the region, we highlight areas that have the potential for conflict with fishing activities known to result in bycatch. Main conclusions This study demonstrates that it is imperative that marine conservation policy recognizes the spatial extent of highly migratory species with expansive ranges. It also highlights that deficiencies exist in current knowledge of bycatch, both in gear specificity and in catch per unit effort. With integration of vessel monitoring system (VMS) data and those on fisheries catch, knowledge and understanding of bycatch may be improved, and this will ultimately facilitate development of appropriate management strategies and long‐term sustainability of fisheries and their supporting ecosystems.