Preliminary data on bycatch and stranding of marine turtles in Al Hoceima, Morocco.

The area of Al Hoceima in Morocco occupies a strategic biological position concerning the trajectory of migratory species. Bycatch and standing data in this area are still lacking. However, knowledge of the number of stranded individuals/species and the bycatch rate/total catch for each fishing gear is crucial to adopting more effective conservation stratégies. Given this lack of information, monitoring of total standing and bycatch data was conducted from January To June 2021. Two different approaches were used in this study: on-board observation of longline, trawlers, and seiner vessels for bycatch rate and monitoring of the torture standing area through selfdéclaration by sensitized fishermen. The results showed the existence of two species. Dermochelys Caracas (Vandelli, 1761) (1 individual) was stranded on Calabonita beach, and Caretta-Caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) was caught in longliners (two individuals) and trawlers (three individuals). No individuals were reported in purse seiners. For the first time, preliminary data on the bycatch and standing of tortures in Al Hoceima have been determined and this information is vital To implementing future conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]