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Research in Αlbania
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Data shows that in Albania approximately 122 species of vertebrates and four species of plants are expected to have lost 50% of their populations during the same timeframe. (National Capacity Self-Assessment Albania, Final Report, Sept. 2006, UNDP-GEF).
This is currently the highest rate of biodiversity loss in Europe.
In Albania, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas converge, the presence of marine turtles has been known for several years, but there has never been a systematic assessment of their population structure, distribution, feeding grounds, nor the true scale of bycatch by fisheries.
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Map of Albania
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Tagging a sea turtle
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Rapid Assessment Survey of important marine turtle and monk seal habitats in the coastal area of Albania, October – November 2005
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In 2005, MEDASSET carried out a Rapid Assessment Survey of important marine turtle and monk seal habitats in the coastal area of Albania. The project aimed to identify areas of important biodiversity value and to conserve these migratory endangered species and their habitats. It also aimed to improve the capacity of governmental organisations and NGOs to ensure environmental sustainability by developing demonstration activities at those significant sites: through awareness-raising, training and networking of the population groups and social and economic actors, and establishing linkages among groups around the Mediterranean basin. You can read more here.(White M., Haxhiu, I., Kouroutos V., et al, 2006)
The Rapid Assessment Survey showed that it can be assumed that the Ionian coastline of Albania does not have a “resident” monk seal population, but may have occasional monk seal visitors, especially along the south Albania coast. Most importantly, it emphasised the need for further research as it proved the possibility of foraging and over-wintering grounds for sea turtles off the coast of Albania. During the voyage fishermen throughout Albania were interviewed about their encounters with turtles, seals and cetaceans. An important finding from these interviews was that large numbers of sea turtles were reported from Albania’s northernmost bay at Patok. In continuation, MEDASSET launched the project titled “Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania” in 2008. (see below)
The project was carried out with the financial support of UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA); MEDASSET; and the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grant Programme (GEF/SGP). The research boat was provided by Vernicos Yachts.
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Team of researchers
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Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania, 2008-2010
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Patok Lagoon is situated in the northernmost part of the Western Lowlands of Albania. The first component of this research project was launched in May 2008 and ended in October 2008. Its aim was to identify the broader Patok area as an important feeding and possible over-wintering ground for sea turtles. Sea turtle data collection in the broader Patok area is necessary as future conservation and management plans rely upon this data to influence local authorities, municipalities and fishermen.
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Fishermen collecting catch in Stavnikes
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Closely working with the fishermen in this area is especially important, as sea turtles are very often caught in the “stavnikes”, a type of fish traps used in this region. The interesting aspect of this fishing method is that sea turtles are able to swim to the surface and breathe until they are let out. This provides researchers with an excellent and unique opportunity to tag turtles and is a perfect example of the need to train and involve fishermen in sea turtle conservation. Education of these artisanal fishermen was an important component of our work in Patoku and a significant step towards capacity building.
During the 2008 research project more than 100 students attended workshops on handling sea turtles, tagging methods, and data collection.
Until the end of July, 104 Caretta caretta turtles were tagged, including a Chelonia mydas turtle. An important finding was that turtles caught as bycatch were often found again in the same fish traps indicating that at least some turtles were repeatedly using the area as a foraging ground. |
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Researcher measures turtle's carapace
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Local fishermen learn how to
remove barnacles
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The 2008 findings indicated that the area is an important summer foraging ground for sea turtles, and may subsequently prove to be used as an overwintering area too; the benthos is rich in small invertebrates, bivalves and crustacea. The bay may be a developmental habitat for Caretta caretta, as well as providing a migratory corridor for marine turtles. Of particular importance is the presence of adult and adolescent male loggerheads, as their marine ecology is poorly understood.
The 2008 project was developed by MEDASSET in collaboration with ECAT Tirana (Environmental Centre for Administration and Technology) and the University of Tirana. It was endorsed by the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration. Co-funding in 2008 was provided by GEF/SGP, MEDASSET and RAC/SPA.
For more information read the full report on the 2008 project here and the paper “Monitoring stavnike fish-traps and sea turtle bycatch at Patoku, Albania".
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2009 Research and Results
Following the successful completion of the project’s first phase, the 2009 phase was launched on June 13th.
During the second year of the project, 137 sea turtles were tagged and released in collaboration with the local fishing community. A remarkable number of 245 turtles have been tagged since 2008 at Patok, providing evidence that this is a significant foraging area for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles travelling through the Mediterranean.
The population structure of turtles captured as bycatch in local “stavnike” fish-traps was also investigated. Sixty six adult and adolescent males have been tagged at Patok, indicating that males may be using the area both as a developmental and foraging habitat. “This discovery has increased importance due to our presently limited understanding of the distribution and marine ecology of male sea turtles and also because of the threatened impact of global climate change, which may force embryonic sex-ratios of turtles towards female-dominance” says Dr. Michael White, Project Lead Researcher. Moreover, 8.6% of the turtles were found for the second time at Patok, suggesting that Albania may also form part of their migratory route.
In order to further investigate the migration of these mystery travellers, the first satellite tracking programme of sea turtles in Albania was launched from Patok and three turtles (two males and one female) were fitted with transmitters on September 12th 2009.Visit Turtle Tracking to view the maps of the migration routes of “Shpresa”, “Guximtari” and “Patoku”.
Fulfilling its main goal for 2009 to focus on capacity building, the project trained seven local university students as Research Assistants, thus providing the capacity to the next generation of Albanian scientists to monitor the sea turtle population of their coast. The project also offered a unique opportunity to over 70 Albanian university students to attend workshops at Patok during the summer.
Additional activities in 2009 included a waste pollution survey in the Patok area and the analysis of DNA samples collected during fieldwork in collaboration with Adnan Menderes University (Turkey). Throughout the project locals and tourists are informed about the sea turtles’ plight while awareness is also raised through local and national media.
Unveiling sea turtle migratory patterns, their feeding areas and the threats they face, is fundamental for designing conservation strategies. The long-term aim of this project is for the Patok area to be recognised as a nationally and regionally important foraging habitat for sea turtles in the Mediterranean and that these endangered species are fully protected under Albanian national law.
The 2009 Project Report with detailed information on the project activities and research results is available here.
The 2009 phase was developed by MEDASSET in collaboration with the Albanian Herpetofauna Society and the University of Tirana. Co-funding for 2009 was granted by the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP), the United Nations Environment Programme-Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of UNEP/MAP and the British Chelonia Group.
2010 - The final year of research
In 2010, launched by the UN as International Year of Biodiversity, the project team is focusing on initiating the legislative process, in order to conserve Albania’s fragile biodiversity and protect the endangered sea turtles visiting its shores.
Research and training activities were launched on June 18th and 140 turtles have been tagged to date.
The 2010 phase is supported by RAC/SPA, UNEP/MAP, The Panton Trust, The Spear Charitable Trust, the BCG and the J.F. Costopoulos Foundation.
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Releasing sea turtles fitted with satellite tracking devices at Patok
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Research assistant measuring sea turtle at Patok
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| Information about Research in Albania is also available here in French. |
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