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- Perceived social benefits and drawbacks of sea turtle conservation efforts in a globally important sea turtle rookeryPublication . Vieira, Sara; Jiménez, Victor; Ferreira-Airaud, Betania; Pina, Antunes; Soares, Venceslau; Tiwari, Manjula; Teodosio, Maria; Castilho, Rita; Nuno, AnaConservation interventions have wide-ranging social impacts - both positive and negative. Yet a limited understanding of how conservation initiatives affect people's livelihoods often hinders our ability to learn from past efforts and design more effective and equitable conservation measures. This is particularly needed when there is a high degree of overlap between critical habitats and human activities or a high cultural and economic demand for products derived from the conservation target. Here, we explore the social impacts of sea turtle conservation initiatives implemented on Sao Tome Island (Gulf of Guinea) as a case study and consider how these might enhance or hinder future efforts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key actors involved in the sea turtle trade in December 2014-February 2015 (prior to the implementation of key initiatives) and February-April 2022. Our findings suggest a clear reduction in the scale of the sea turtle trade and the number of main actors involved. However, most respondents previously involved in the trade had experienced economic displacement and several associated social impacts, such as the reduced ability to support family and friends and food insecurity, due to trade restrictions. Financial capital was the main barrier to transitioning to alternative livelihoods, followed by the lack of skills and peer pressure. Finally, this study highlights the importance of considering human dimensions during the planning and implementation phase of conservation actions and the need for more investment focused on the well-being of communities to ensure the long-term survival of endangered species.
- Green and hawksbill sea turtles of Eastern Atlantic: new insights into a globally important rookery in the Gulf of GuineaPublication . Ferreira-Airaud, Betania; Vieira, Sara; Branco, Maria; Pina, Antunes; Soares, Venceslau; Tiwari, Manjula; Witt, Matthew; Castilho, Rita; Teodosio, Maria; Hawkes, Lucy A.Sea turtles are critical components of marine ecosystems, and their conservation is important for Ocean Governance and Global Planet Health. However, there is limited knowledge of their ecology in the Gulf of Guinea. To fill this knowledge gap, this study presents the first integrative assessment of green and hawksbill turtles in the region, combining nesting surveys over 9 years and telemetry data, to offer insights into these population dynamics, and behaviours, including nesting preferences, morphological and reproductive parameters, diving patterns and inter-nesting core-use areas. Both green and hawksbill turtles are likely making a recovery on Sao Tome, potentially driven by sustained conservation efforts. There are preliminary indications of recovery, but we interpret this cautiously. Coupled with satellite tracking, this study estimated that 482 to 736 green turtles and 135 to 217 hawksbills nest on the beaches of Sao Tome. Their movements overlap significantly with a proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA), which suggests they may be well placed for conservation if managed appropriately. However, the presence of artisanal fisheries and emerging threats, such as sand mining and unregulated tourism, highlight the urgent need for robust management strategies that align global conservation objectives with local socioeconomic realities. This study significantly enhances our understanding of the ecology and conservation needs of the green and hawksbill turtles in the Gulf of Guinea. The insights gleaned here can contribute to the development of tailored conservation strategies that benefit these populations and the ecosystem services upon which they depend. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of green and hawksbill sea turtles in the Gulf of Guinea, combining 9 years of nesting area surveys with telemetry data. Our findings reveal promising signs of recovery for green and hawksbill turtles, driven by conservation efforts. Our research underscores the importance of effective conservation strategies, especially in the face of emerging threats, to protect these vital marine species and their ecosystems in the Eastern Atlantic.image
- Metal accumulation in female green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Eastern Atlantic affects their egg quality with potential implications for embryonic developmentPublication . Morão, Inês F.C.; Simões, Tiago; Casado, Roger B.; Vieira, Sara; Ferreira-Airaud, Betânia; Caliani, Ilaria; Noi, Agata Di; Casini, Silvia; Fossi, Maria C.; Lemos, Marco F.L.; Novais, Sara C.Sea turtles, with their global distribution and complex life cycle, often accumulate pollutants such as metals and metalloids due to their extended lifespan and feeding habits. However, there are limited studies exploring the impact of metal pollution on the reproductive health of female sea turtles, specifically focusing on the quality of their eggs, which has significant implications for the future generations of these charismatic animals. Sao Tome Island, a crucial nesting and feeding habitat for green sea turtles, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research in this ecologically significant area. This study aimed to investigate whether metals and metalloids in the blood of nesting female green sea turtles induce genotoxic effects in their erythrocytes and affect their egg morphometric characteristics and the composition of related compartments. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate whether the quality of energetic reserves for embryo development (fatty acids in yolk's polar and neutral lipids) is influenced by the contamination status of their predecessors. Results revealed correlations between Cu and Hg levels and increased "lobed" erythrocytes, while As and Cu negatively influenced shell thickness. In terms of energy reserves, both polar and neutral lipid fractions contained primarily saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, with prevalent 18:1n-9, 18:0, 16:0, 14:0, and 12:0 fatty acids in yolk samples. The yolk polar fraction was more susceptible to contaminant levels in female sea turtles, showing consistent negative correlations between pollution load index and essential n3 fatty acids, including linolenic, eicosatrienoic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosapentaenoic acids, crucial for embryonic development. These metals accumulation, coupled with the reduced availability of these key fatty acids, may disrupt the eicosanoid and other important pathways, affecting reproductive development. This study reveals a negative correlation between metal contamination in female sea turtles' blood and egg lipid reserves, raising concerns about embryonic development and the species' future generations.
- Green and Hawksbill sea turtles of Eastern Atlantic: new insights into a globally important rookery in the Gulf of GuineaPublication . Ferreira-Airaud, Betânia; Vieira, Sara; Branco, Maria; Pina, Antunes; Soares, Venceslau; Tiwari, Manjula; Witt, Matthew; Castilho, Rita; Teodosio, Maria; Hawkes, Lucy A.Sea turtles are critical components of marine ecosystems, and their conservation is important for Ocean Governance and Global Planet Health. However, there is limited knowledge of their ecology in the Gulf of Guinea. To fill this knowledge gap, this study presents the first integrative assessment of green and hawksbill turtles in the region, combining nesting surveys over 9 years and telemetry data, to offer insights into these population dynamics, and behaviours, including nesting preferences, morphological and reproductive parameters, diving patterns and inter-nesting core-use areas. Both green and hawksbill turtles are likely making a recovery on São Tomé, potentially driven by sustained conservation efforts. There are preliminary indications of recovery, but we interpret this cautiously. Coupled with satellite tracking, this study estimated that 482 to 736 green turtles and 135 to 217 hawksbills nest on the beaches of São Tomé. Their movements overlap significantly with a proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA), which suggests they may be well placed for conservation if managed appropriately. However, the presence of artisanal fisheries and emerging threats, such as sand mining and unregulated tourism, highlight the urgent need for robust management strategies that align global conservation objectives with local socioeconomic realities. This study significantly enhances our understanding of the ecology and conservation needs of the green and hawksbill turtles in the Gulf of Guinea. The insights gleaned here can contribute to the development of tailored conservation strategies that benefit these populations and the ecosystem services upon which they depend.