Duration of the project:

1/9/2016 – 31/12/2021

Total value:

€ 5.116.167,00

EU co-financing:

€ 3.793.167,00

Beneficiary coordinator:

Croatian Museum of Natural History

Partners:

Blue World Institute; Veli Losinj, Archelon, Society for the Protection of Sea Turtles of Greece, Directorate of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment of Cyprus, Foundation for Nature Malta, University of Cyprus, Oceanography Center Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin” La Sapienza University Rome, University of Primorska – Koper, WWF Italy

Web page: LIFE EUROTURTLES

Project goals:

• Reducing threats related to fisheries in food areas
• Reducing anthropogenic impacts on nests
• Expansion of the marine part of the Natura 2000 network for sea turtles
• Development of a common approach to the protection of sea turtles in the EU
• Contribute to meeting the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive by developing common methods and providing basic monitoring data
• Promote sea turtles as a common natural heritage of all EU citizens
• Establishment of a network of relevant stakeholders for the protection of sea turtles

Project activities:

• Reduction of accidental catches and mortality

          – in trawl gear, standing nets and longlines (determining the area of ​​greater number and securing gear)

          – education (especially of fishermen for the recovery of caught individuals)

          – marking standing nets with light markings

          – removal of discarded fishing gear

• Protection of species in nests

         – protection of beaches and nests (anthropogenic activities, predation, habitat destruction, light pollution, new measures aimed at preventing habitat loss and disturbance)

         – early detection of nesting (drones)

• Establishment or supplementation of existing Natura2000 sites, their expansion and establishment of new ones in cooperation with competent institutions (determination of distribution and number of aerial surveys)
• Remote monitoring and development of new monitoring and labeling methods
• Public involvement through the development of the “Civil Sciences” system
• Raising public awareness and education – creating a mobile exhibition in all languages ​​of the partners, making brochures, materials for school classes, websites, etc.
• Improving cooperation between partners, other conservation organizations and competent institutions