After three weeks of scientific campaign in the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Sea, the Alnitak association presents the results that have been obtained during the scientific campaign within the Oasis project, whose objective is to develop conservation measures for sea turtles.

After three weeks of scientific campaign in the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Sea, the Alnitak association presents the results that have been obtained during the scientific campaign within the Oasis project, whose objective is to develop conservation measures for sea turtles.

The presentation will be held on board the research sailboat ‘Luis Guinillo’, where the first results of the scientific campaign will be announced.

The project focuses on studies on sea turtles that are concentrated in the waters between the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Specifically, the pattern of turtle behaviour and use of turtle habitat has been studied to reduce the risks of collision, pollution and interactions with fisheries.

For the first time, National Geographic Crittercam camera equipment and satellite tags have been used to obtain footage of their behavior and diet. In addition, several experiments will be carried out, in collaboration with artisanal fishermen, to study the behaviour of turtles that feed on crustaceans on the seabed of the island of Menorca.

The Oasis project, which is supported by the Biodiversity Foundation, is carried out aboard the KAI Expeditions research sailboat with researchers from Alnitak, the US Atmosphere and Ocean Agency (NOAA), National Geographic, Stanford University, University of Siena, KAI Marine, HYDRA Institute, IMEDEA SOCIB, Spanish Institute of Oceanography and the French Sea Turtle Group. CEPESCA, and longline and trammel lobster fishermen from Menorca have also collaborated.

This initiative is based on previous successful experiences, such as the achievement in relation to the accidental capture in the swordfish fishery that, with an estimated catch of 2 turtles per thousand hooks, has already been solved, thanks to the collaboration of the fishing fleet.

Learn more about the Oasis project here.