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Research and Conservation of Marine Turtles
Research Area
Life Sciences – Evolutionary, population and environmental biology: population genetics; conservation biology, ecology; animal behaviour
Principal Investigator
Sandra Hochscheid
Marine turtles face increasing threats arising mainly from the degradation of marine ecosystems, such as overfishing and climate change. Six out of each seven existing species are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. The main objective of the project is to provide a sound scientific basis for the development of effective management strategies of these charismatic animals. The research activities focus on the Mediterranean population of the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, an iconic species of priority interest to the European Union under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. The project explores different aspects of biology and ecology of the species, through studies conducted at many different scales, from the molecular to the ecosystem, from studies of the population structure to the influence of environmental parameters on the distribution of the species; from the monitoring of nesting activity to the recovery, rehabilitation and release of injured specimens. An integral part of the activities is the transfer of research results to the public and managing authorities to promote the conservation of marine turtles.
The project is developed in four complementary themes:
- Population structure and connectivity
- Dispersion, movements and behavior
- Health and physiology
- Human impacts including climate change
What we do
We recover marine turtles in difficulties, re-store their health status and release them back into the wild whilst conducting fundamental research serving the cause of knowledge-based conservation.
Partners
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno – Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II – DEKAMER Sea Turtle Rescue Research and Rehabilitation Center, Dalyan, Turkey - IAMC-CNR Oristano - IAMC-CNR Napoli – ISPRA - National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan - Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy – National Institute of Sea Sciences and Technologies, Sfax, Tunisia
Staff
Sandra Hochscheid
Andrea Affuso
Mariapia Ciampa
Fulvio Maffucci
Antonino Pace
Andrea Travaglini
Gianluca Treglia
Science Education Study Centre
In Progress
Scientific Associations
The “Associazione Italiana di Oceanologia e Limnologia" (Italian Association of Oceanography and Limnology; A.I.O.L.)” was founded on June 27, 1972 to promote, through scientific exchanges, the collaboration among scientists of different disciplines related to Oceanography and Limnology, and to contribute to the progress of these scientific disciplines.
The “Società Italiana di Biologia Marina” (Italian Society of Marine Biology; S.I.B.M.) aims at promoting studies related to marine life, to promote exchanges among scientists, and to develop theoretical and practical knowledge deriving from modern progresses in biological marine resea4rch.
The “Società Italiana di Ecologia” (Italian Society of Ecology; S.It.E.) aims at promoting theoretical and applied ecology research, to spread knowledge and promote the development of relations among scientists of these fields, facilitating national and international collaborations. To achieve these objectives, SItE performs its activities through research working groups, congresses, symposia, meetings, workshops, training courses and publications, in cooperation with Italian and foreign companies.
Alumni of the Stazione Zoologica
The association "ALUMNI of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn" will aim at:
- promoting the cultural linkage between the SZN scietists and former employees/students;
- establishing, maintaining and developing relationships between former, current and future students and scientists, promoting different professional, cultural, scientific, social and recreational initiatives;
- increasing the knowledge and dissemination of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Italy and at international level;
- strengthening the links with the otherlabour areas, promoting exchanges and training with companies, professional associations, research institutions, and local government agencies;
- contributing to initiatives for the present day students.
Vehicles
The SZN has different vehicles per the development of the scientific activities in the field. The SZN has no executive cars as communicated to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers - Department of Public Administration.
Turtle Point
For more information and to book a visit: fondazionedohrn.it
The Sea Turtle Recovery Centre started its research activities in 1983, in response to the growing number of specimens of sea turtles recovered stranded or debilitated or injured because of the interaction with human activities at sea.
The Centre is authorized by the “Ministero dell’Ambiente, del Territorio e del Mare” (Ministry of Environment) to handle sea turtles (otherwise prohibited according to the D.P.R. 357/97).
The Recovery Center is the regional representative for the conservation of sea turtles and collaborates with agencies and Italian and foreign institutions to promote the protection of these important flagship species.
Staff
Andrea Affuso, Responsible