RED SEA TURTLES
The Red Sea, characterized by its unique hydrology and isolation, represents a key biodiversity hotspot for marine fauna. Five of the seven sea turtle species utilize the Red Sea: green, loggerhead, olive ridley, hawksbill, and leatherback.
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Green sea turtle
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Hawksbill sea turtle
Nesting activity has only been confirmed for hawksbill and green sea turtles within the Red Sea, with hawksbills exhibiting a preferential usage of the southern regions, and green's demonstrating a wider distribution across central and northern sectors. Historical accounts suggest olive ridleys nest in the southwestern Red Sea, although these records require further assessment. While incidental sightings of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles have been documented, their population status and spatial distribution within the Red Sea also remain unquantified.
The absence of long-term monitoring programs for sea turtles within the Red Sea hinders the comprehensive understanding of population size and trends. This information gap presents a significant opportunity to establish a robust data collection effort focused on distribution patterns and nesting activity between species. Such data will be instrumental in guiding future conservation strategies for sea turtles within the region.