Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Community of Valencia

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/01/2022 - 31/12/2025

Total budget:

484.021€

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€318,550.98 (65.81%)

The incorporation of the Oceanogràfic in 2003 into the stranding network of the Valencian Community to assist in the live stranding of sea turtles, cetaceans and elasmobranchs, the creation of a marine fauna recovery centre in 2007 and the inclusion of a veterinary team in 2010 to carry out necropsies and determine the cause of death in the different stranded species, It was a notable boost in the stranding network. However, over the years, shortcomings have been detected that compromise and limit the scope of the network, making it necessary to address it for proper functioning.

The project seeks to correct the shortcomings and limitations that limit the scope of the stranding network in the Valencian Community, concentrating efforts on the identified critical points. In this way, the number of specimens rescued and released and the number of necropsies carried out will be maximized, which will result in a greater knowledge of the health status and threats of these species. Therefore, the objectives focus on:

• Increase the number of sea turtles rescued, recovered and released into the sea.
• Necropsy of all dead stranded cetaceans and sea turtles in good condition. Delivery of cetaceans accidentally caught by professional boats and their necropsy.
• Improvement of the management of large cetaceans stranded on the beach.
• Improvement of sea turtle recovery and management protocols.

The actions contemplated by this project are:

• Increased awareness-raising efforts among fishermen.
• Dissemination days with fishermen and families.
• Raising awareness of yacht clubs.
• Rescue, treatment, maintenance and release of a larger number of turtles.
• Collection of dead specimens for transfer to the necropsy room.
• Establishment of a delivery system for accidentally caught cetaceans.
• Management of stranding of large cetaceans.
• Evaluation of the adaptation to the environment of turtles released after fin amputation.
• Evaluation of the survival of turtles released after recovery from accidental capture injuries.