Marine turtles face numerous threats, including climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution, coastal development, and habitat loss. As highly migratory species, they serve as effective flagship species for conservation measures that benefit broader marine ecosystems. This dissertation evaluates the effectiveness of targeted conservation strategies for leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) across Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. Three complementary approaches are assessed. First, the use of green LED lights as a bycatch reduction technology is evaluated within Ecuadorian artisanal gillnet fisheries to determine their effectiveness in reducing turtle bycatch while maintaining target catch. Second, satellite telemetry data from nesting leatherbacks in the Gulf of Urabá are used to identify critical internesting habitats, migratory corridors, and areas of overlap with vessel traffic, informing potential transboundary conservation strategies in the Darién gap. Third, satellite tracking of hawksbill and green turtles within the Saboga Wildlife Refuge in the Gulf of Panama are used to assess habitat use, foraging ecology, and the effectiveness of this newly established protected area. By integrating spatial ecology with applied conservation outcomes, this research provides actionable, data-driven recommendations to mitigate fisheries bycatch, reduce negative impacts of coastal development, and strengthen marine protection efforts across key regions of the East Pacific and Caribbean.
Callie Veelenturf
Dr. Kate Mansfield, Advisor
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