Action Plan for the conservation of Mediterranean marine turtles

The Parts to the Barcelona Convention included among their targets the protection of Mediterranean marine turtles. The most serious threats to the turtles are: (a) deterioration of the habitats for the life cycle of marine turtles (nesting, feeding and wintering areas, as well as migration routes); (b) incidental or intentional capture in fisheries; (c) pollution. In view of those hazards for turtles, the parties to the Barcelona Convention have adopted, within the context of the Mediterranean Action Plan, this special Action Plan intended to preserve Mediterranean marine turtles. The objectives of this Action Plan are: (1) the protection, conservation and, where possible, enhancing of the populations of marine turtles in the Mediterranean; (2) the appropriate protection, conservation and management of the marine turtle habitats including nesting, feeding, and wintering areas and migration routes; (3) improvement of the scientific knowledge by research and monitoring. Point 8 of the Plan recommends specific priorities. The Annex attached recommends priority actions at the regional and sub-regional levels for the implementation of the Action Plan.