Movement patterns of green turtles at a key foraging site: the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania

Green turtles in the Banc d'Arguin National Park, Mauritania, exhibit larger home ranges (151.5 ± 160.5 km²) than previously reported, with significant overlap between foraging areas and artisanal fisheries, posing a threat to their survival. Despite this, turtles disproportionately use shallow waters within the protected park boundaries, suggesting benefits from its management since 1976. Satellite tracking of 38 individuals (2018–2022) revealed patchy distribution, year-round use of two main areas, and seasonal inshore/offshore movements, with some turtles shifting between up to four distinct foraging zones. These findings highlight the need for targeted fisheries management to mitigate human-wildlife interactions while preserving critical habitats.

Mestre, J., Patrício, A. R., Sidina, E., Senhoury, C., El’bar, N., Beal, M., Regalla, A., & Catry, P. (2024). Movement patterns of green turtles at a key foraging site: the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania. Marine Biology, 172(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-024-04558-4