Article 1
Differential temporal and spatial distribution of adult loggerhead sea turtles from Gulf of Cádiz to western Mediterranean Sea
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ABSTRACT. – The aim of this paper was to search for and model spatial and seasonal trends in occurrences (stranding or by-catches) of adult loggerhead turtles in the western Mediterranean area and Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic) independently of their origin. Adult turtles were only bycaught on longlines from May to August. Adults were stranded in the eastern and western areas of the Strait of Gibraltar threshold throughout the year. In the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic), strandings were significantly concentrated in May and June, whereas in the Alboran Sea (Mediterranean), strandings mainly occurred in June and July. The probability of catching a mature loggerhead increases during June and July south of the Balearic Islands. The results suggest that adult loggerhead turtles move (migrate) from the Atlantic area (Gulf of Cádiz) to the Mediterranean (Alboran Sea) from May to June, and subsequently move to the Balearic Sea from June to July. These results are in line with those obtained by previous studies.