CLUTCH FREQUENCY FOR LOGGERHEAD TURTLES (CARETTA CARETTA) NESTING IN KYPARISSIA BAY, GREECE

Kyparissia Bay, Greece, currently hosts the largest Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting aggregation in the Mediterranean Sea. We set out to determine the clutch frequency (number of clutches laid by a single female in one season) for turtles breeding in this rookery and to apply results in estimating breeding populations of the Mediterranean Management Unit. We used satellite tracking technology in 2018 and 2019 to follow 21 female turtles through their nesting seasons to reveal clutch frequency for each individuaL The 2019 turtles deposited more clutches than those in 2018, likely because the delayed field work in 2018 missed early nesting. Average clutch frequency in 2019 was 3.8 nests/turtle and ranged from three to five nests. The 2019 clutch frequency value is higher than that of conspecilics in the region (2.2 in Cyprus), which we consider a reflection on methodological differences (satellite telemetry vs foot patrols) between locations in determining clutch frequency. Approximately 366 Loggerhead Turtles (range, 331-411, based on 95% confidence intervals of mean clutch frequency) may nest annually in southern Kyparissia Bay. The findings highlight that Regional Management Unit estimations may be overestimated by 73% and that conservation of adult females is likely more important than previously thought.