ESR 47:205-215 (2022)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01174

ABSTRACT: Green turtles Chelonia mydas have been subject to high levels of anthropogenic exploitation, with harvesting at their nesting sites especially pronounced throughout the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, leading to worldwide declines. Due to their delayed sexual maturity, long-term protection and monitoring is crucial to allow and accurately demonstrate population recovery. Subsequent to their exploitation, Aldabra Atoll (Republic of Seychelles) has offered the longest continuous protection for nesting green turtles anywhere in the Western Indian Ocean, beginning in 1968. Here, we document the continuing recovery of that population by estimating clutch production within 12 mo nesting seasons over 50 yr of monitoring. An estimated mean of 15297 clutches were laid annually between December 2014 and November 2019. This represents an increase of 173% since Aldabra’s intensive monitoring programme was initiated in 1980, and 410-�665% since 1968. Clutch number increases were recorded at all but 1 of 6 monitored beach groups around the atoll but were most pronounced at Settlement Beach, where exploitation of nesting females was historically most intense. Seasonality data since 2000 showed a year-round nesting season, with elevated activity in April-June peaking on average in May, and a potential shift to later in the year over time. This study highlights the considerable contribution of Aldabra Atoll to regional green turtle numbers and the benefit of long-term protection and monitoring at what can be considered a global reference site for this species.

KEY WORDS: Chelonia mydas · Marine turtle · Population assessment · Seasonality · Track counts · Western Indian Ocean

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Cite this article as: Pritchard AM, Sanchez CL, Bunbury N, Burt AJ and others (2022) Green turtle population recovery at Aldabra Atoll continues after 50 yr of protection. Endang Species Res 47:205-215. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01174 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn