Using sea turtles’ vocalization to reduce their bycatch?
Type | Article | ||||||||
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Acceptance Date | 2024-04-02 IN PRESS | ||||||||
Language | English | ||||||||
Author(s) | Chevallier Damien1, Maucourt Léo1, Charrier Isabelle2, Lelong Pierre1, Gall Yves Le3, Menut Eric3, Wallace Bryan4, Delvenne Cyrielle2, Vincze Orsolya5, Jeantet Lorène6, Girondot Marc7, Martin Jordan1, Bourgeois Ouvéa1, Lepori Muriel1, Fournier Pascal8, Fournier-Chambrillon Christine8, Regis Sidney1, Lecerf Nicolas1, Lefebvre Fabien9, Aubert Nathalie9, Arthus Mosiah10, Pujol Matthieu1, Nalovic Michel Anthony11, Burg Marie-Clémence1, Chevallier Pascale12, Chevallier Tao12, Landreau Antony12, Meslier Stéphane12, Larcher Eugène13, Nicolas Moulanier1, Maho Yvon Le14 | ||||||||
Affiliation(s) | 1 : Biologie des Organismes et Écosystèmes Aquatiques, france 2 : CNRS, france 3 : Ifremer, france 4 : Ecolibrium, Inc., 5343 Aztec Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA 5 : LIttoral, ENvironment and Societies, france 6 : U. of Stellenbosch, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, south africa 7 : University of Paris-Saclay, france 8 : Groupe de Recherche et d’Etude pour la Gestion de l’Environnement, france 9 : ACWAA, france 10 : Solda Lanmè, france 11 : Fishingcleaner.com, france 12 : ANSLO-S, france 13 : Mairie des Anses d’Arlet, france 14 : Université de Strasbourg, france |
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Source | Under Review at Scientific Reports. (Research Square Platform LLC) In Press | ||||||||
DOI | 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4085490/v1 | ||||||||
Note | This is a preprint ; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. | ||||||||
Keyword(s) | Biological sciences/Biological techniques/Behavioural methods, Biological sciences/Ecology, Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology | ||||||||
Abstract | Incidental capture of non-target species poses a pervasive threat to many marine species, with sometimes devastating consequences for both fisheries and conservation efforts. Because of the well-known importance of vocalizations in cetaceans, acoustic deterrents have been extensively used for these species. In contrast, acoustic communication for sea turtles has been considered negligible, and this question has been largely unexplored. Addressing this challenge therefore requires a comprehensive understanding of sea turtles’ responses to sensory signals. In this study, we scrutinized the avenue of auditory cues, specifically the natural sounds produced by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Martinique, as a potential tool to reduce bycatch. We recorded 10 sounds produced by green turtles and identified those that appear to correspond to alerts, flight or social contact between individuals. Subsequently, these turtle sounds—as well synthetic and natural (earthquake) sounds—were presented to turtles in known foraging areas to assess the behavioral response of green turtles to these sounds. Our data highlighted that the playback of sounds produced by sea turtles was associated with alert or increased the vigilance of individuals. This therefore suggests novel opportunities for using sea turtle sounds to deter them from fishing gear or other potentially harmful areas, and highlights the potential of our research to improve sea turtles populations’ conservation. |
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