MEDTOP GHOST FADS - ENGAGING MEDITERRANEAN FISHERS AND NAVIGATORS IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE NE, NW ATLANTIC AND MEDITERRANEAN LOGGERHEAD TURTLES

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO REDUCE THE BYCATCH OF LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES ON THEIR FORAGING GROUNDS IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN. THE RECIPIENT WILL 1.

CONDUCT OUTREACH AND EDUCATION WITH LONGLINE AND OTHER FISHERS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND RELEASE OF ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT TURTLES 2.CONDUCT SHIPBOARD SURVEYS TO OBTAIN DATA FOR MAPPING AND MODELLING OF IUU AND GHOST FISHING AND 3.

ANALYZE IUU AND GHOST FISHING DATA WITH ALL AVAILABLE LOGGERHEAD SAT TELEMETRY DATA TO DEVELOP A FORECASTING TOOL FOR IDENTIFYING AGGREGATION ZONES FOR EFFICIENT SEA TURTLE RESCUE AND GHOST FISHING GEAR RETRIEVAL.