Distribution of the green turtle Chelonia mydas in the Azores: a community-engaged research approach

Effective conservation strategies for sea turtles require knowledge of their distribution and the protection of their habitats throughout all life stages. For juvenile sea turtles, understanding their occurrence and distribution at foraging grounds is essential for effective protection and for accurately identifying threats. Sea turtles are common in the Azores, and although green turtles Chelonia mydas are present, scientific studies on this species in the region are scarce. This study applies a community-engaged research approach by conducting surveys on the occurrence of green turtles in the Azores archipelago between August 2020 and April 2021. A total of 68 surveys were conducted, resulting in 69 green turtle sightings around Faial and Pico islands. The results confirmed the presence of green turtles in the Azores archipelago. Estimated sizes ranging from 10 to 79 cm in carapace length indicate that all individuals observed were juveniles. These findings support the hypothesis that the Azores serve as a transient juvenile foraging ground, where early-stage recruits temporarily settle before migrating onward. Most sightings occurred during the summer and autumn near rocky seafloor habitats at depths of around 8 m. This study provides a foundation for more systematic and hypothesis-driven research to inform future monitoring strategies in which local communities play an active role.