The North Atlantic Oscillation and sea surface temperature affect loggerhead abundance around the Strait of Gibraltar

José C. Báez; Juan J. Bellido; Francisco Ferri-Yáñez; Juan J. Castillo; Juan J. Martín; José L. Mons; David Romero; Raimundo Real

doi:10.3989/scimar.2011.75n3571

Authors

José C. Báez Instituto Español de Oceanografia (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga - Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga
Juan J. Bellido Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga - Aula del Mar de Málaga
Francisco Ferri-Yáñez Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
Juan J. Castillo Aula del Mar de Málaga
Juan J. Martín Aula del Mar de Málaga
José L. Mons Aula del Mar de Málaga
David Romero Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga
Raimundo Real Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2011.75n3571

Keywords:

global change, Gulf of Cadiz, marine migratory species, Mediterranean Sea, sea turtle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the possible link between variations in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and sea surface temperature (SST) and the abundance of loggerhead turtles around the Strait of Gibraltar, using stranding data for the Andalusian coastal area as a proxy for abundance. The annual average SST (from November to October) in the Gulf of Cadiz was negatively associated with the total number of loggerhead strandings each year from November 1997 to October 2006 in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Alboran Sea. The average NAO index was positively associated with the number of strandings in the Gulf of Cadiz in the following year. Prevailing westerly winds during positive NAO phases and the subsequent delayed decrease in SST may lead to turtles from the west Atlantic accumulating in the Gulf of Cadiz and unsuccessfully attempting to return. Secondary causes, such as buoyancy, cold stunning, longline fisheries, net fisheries, debilitated turtle syndrome, and trauma may also increase the number of turtle strandings.

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