A better understanding on the distribution of highly migratory marine megafauna and the potential exposure of their habitats to anthropogenic activities is essential for ensuring the persistence and the protection of such iconic group of species. Here, we aim to deliver a comprehensive view on the distribution of foraging grounds for charismatic representatives of marine megafauna, loggerheads, Caretta caretta, in the Mediterranean Sea, along with an assessment on their exposure to fisheries. First, we compiled a consolidated database with locations of the adult Mediterranean foraging loggerheads extracted from published satellite tracking data. Next, we applied an ensemble distribution modelling approach so as to develop a map of the foraging grounds across the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, we assessed the exposure of the delineated foraging grounds to the cumulative risk due to different types of fisheries. Our findings revealed that the foraging grounds for adult loggerheads were extended over the 9% of the Mediterranean basin. We identified well-established areas in the central Mediterranean Sea, such as the Northern Adriatic Sea and the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, but also highlighted sites, at the western part of the basin, for which the current knowledge was restricted. In addition, we found that the exposure of the foraging grounds to fisheries differed across the Mediterranean Sea, with the Adriatic Sea being subjected to the highest level of risk. The developed approach that combined modeling techniques and risk assessment allowed us to reveal critical sites for sea turtles on which conservation actions should focus.

This research is co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund- ESF) through the Operational Programme «Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning» in the context of the project “Reinforcement of Postdoctoral Researchers - 2nd Cycle” (MIS-5033021), implemented by the State Scholarships Foundation (ΙΚΥ).