title: Pan-atlantic analysis of the overlap of a highly migratory species, the leatherback turtle, with pelagic longline fisheries.
abstract: Large oceanic migrants play important roles in ecosystems, yet many species are of conservation concern as a result of anthropogenic threats, of which incidental capture by fisheries is frequently identified. The last large populations of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, occur in the Atlantic Ocean, but interactions with industrial fisheries could jeopardize recent positive population trends, making bycatch mitigation a priority. Here, we perform the first pan-Atlantic analysis of spatio-temporal distribution of the leatherback turtle and ascertain overlap with longline fishing effort. Data suggest that the Atlantic probably consists of two regional management units: northern and southern (the latter including turtles breeding in South Africa). Although turtles and fisheries show highly diverse distributions, we highlight nine areas of high susceptibility to potential bycatch (four in the northern Atlantic and five in the southern/equatorial Atlantic) that are worthy of further targeted investigation and mitigation. These are reinforced by reports of leatherback bycatch at eight of these sites. International collaborative efforts are needed, especially from nations hosting regions where susceptibility to bycatch is likely to be high within their exclusive economic zone (northern Atlantic: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Spain, USA and Western Sahara; southern Atlantic: Angola, Brazil, Namibia and UK) and from nations fishing in these high-susceptibility areas, including those located in international waters.
authors: Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, , Swansea SA2 8PP, UK, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, , Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, , Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK, Centro de Investigación y Conservación Marina, , El Pinar, Canelones 15008, Uruguay, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, , 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA, Comité Régional des Pêches et Elevages Marins de Guyane, Port de Pêche du Larivot, , Matoury 97351, French Guiana, Aquamarina, , Del Besugo 1525, Pinamar, Buenos Aires 7167, Argentina, Jardín Zoológico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Republica de la India 3000, , Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina, Regional Program for Sea Turtles Research and Conservation of Argentina (PRICTMA) Smith 37, , 1876-Bernal, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, ICMBio-Reserva Biológica de Comboios, , Linhares, ES 29900-970, Brazil, Asociación LAST, , Apdo 496-1100, Tibás, Costa Rica, SEATURTLE.org, , 1 Southampton Place, Durham, NC 27705, USA, Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos, , Constituyente 1497, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay, WIDECAST, , 1348 Rusticview Drive, Ballwin, MO 63011, USA, Biology and Natural Resources Department, Principia College, , 1 Maybeck Place, Elsah, IL 62028, USA, Sea Turtle Conservancy, , 4424 NW 13th St., Suite B11, Gainesville, FL 32609, USA, Karumbé - Av. Rivera 3245 (Zoo Villa Dolores), Montevideo 11600, Uruguay, Rue Victor Hugo, 25120 Maiche, France, Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, , 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA, Fundação Pró-TAMAR, , Postal 2219, Rio Vermelho, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, , Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia, 183 Amber Valley, P/Bag X30, Howick 3290, South Africa, WWF Guianas, , Henck Arronstraat 63 Suriname and 5 lot Katoury, Cayenne 9
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authors: Witt
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authors: Miller
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authors: Nalovic
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authors: López-Mendilaharsu
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authors: Prosdocimi
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mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D005398:Fisheries; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: incidental capture; international collaboration; marine protected area; marine vertebrate; mitigation; satellite tracking