Spatiotemporal patterns and main drivers of sea turtle strandings along the Mediterranean coast of Morocco

Abstract

The Mediterranean coast of Morocco hosts foraging grounds and a migration corridor between feeding and breeding areas for both the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), where both species face threats from anthropogenic activities. This study focused on analysing the spatial and temporal patterns of strandings, life stage, and the main causes of strandings along the entire Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Data were collected between 2019 and 2025 using daily beach monitoring, public reports, citizen science, and reports from the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH). A total of 84 turtles (63 loggerheads, 19 leatherbacks, and two undetermined species) were found stranded during the study period. Strandings of both species were most frequent in the western region during winter and spring. The mean annual strandings were 9 ± 4 individuals for loggerhead turtles (range = 115) and 3 ± 2 individuals for leatherback turtles (range = 17). The majority of stranded loggerhead turtles (71%, n = 35) and leatherback turtles (67%, n = 12) were subadults. The cause of strandings for the majority of turtles was categorized as unknown, but those showing signs of anthropogenic interactions were determined to be caused by interactions with fisheries, vessel collisions, and oil pollution. The present study provides important information that can improve sea turtle monitoring and the development of conservation strategies along the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.