The leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761) in the Bay of Biscay and the North East Atlantic

Abstract

This paper is a synthesis of our knowledge on the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli 1761) in the Bay of Biscay and in the North East Atlantic. Numerous sightings in these two regions lead us to believe that they are foraging areas for this critically endangered (CR) species (IUCN, 2011) Its conservation does not depend solely and exclusively on mitigating the anthropogenic interactions, but also in the protection and use of its habitat. For this reason we will highlight the importance that Marine Protected Areas (MPA) could have and the need for new areas to be declared along the European Community coastline and within the vast bodies of water of the Bay of Biscay and the North East Atlantic.