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The conservation of loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos, Greece

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2009

Lynda M. Warren  and
Eleni Antonopoulou
Lynda M. Warren
Affiliation:
Cardiff Law School, University of Wales, College of Cardiff, P. O. Box 427, Cardiff CF1 1XD, UK.
Eleni Antonopoulou
Affiliation:
School of Biotechnology, Polytechnic of Central London, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1M 8JS, UK
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Abstract

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The population of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta nesting on the island of Zakynthos, Greece, the largest known rookery in the Mediterranean, is in danger of dying out because of the effects of human interference. Tourism is a prime factor in causing problems, which include direct disturbance of nesting females, compaction of the sand and obstruction of access, photic pollution affecting the hatchlings and accidental damage to adults from speed boats. Attempts are being made to conserve the turtles, and a recent Ministerial Decision should be of help, but implementation of conservation measures is difficult to achieve. This is because the local economy is highly dependent on the tourist industry and there is an understandable reluctance to see this curtailed in any way just to protect the turtles.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , January 1990 , pp. 15 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1990

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