Conserving marine megafauna is a complex task, particularly due to the gaps in our knowledge regarding their distribution and susceptibility to human pressures. While the Ionian Sea, eastern Mediterranean, is renowned for hosting nesting sites for sea turtles and supporting diverse cetacean populations, identifying key marine habitats for elusive species remains a significant challenge in the region. This study offers insights drawn from 15 years of stranding data collected in the Ionian Sea, shedding light on the utilization of marine habitats by marine megafauna. Stranding records of loggerhead sea turtles (), reported even beyond the breeding season, highlight the ecological significance of the area as a year-round foraging and developmental habitat. Stranding records have consistently revealed the presence of green sea turtles () in the region, emphasizing the need for further research on their habitat utilization. The higher stranding frequencies observed during the spring/summer months can be attributed to factors such as increased individual abundance, heightened reporting rates, or intensified human activities at sea. While human-induced disturbances are evident in the reporting of stranded cetaceans in the region, the annual records of stranded Mediterranean monk seal () raise questions about the viability of the local population of this endangered species. This study provides substantial evidence suggesting the significance of the Ionian Sea as a potential hotspot for marine megafauna in the Mediterranean. Results highlight the need for policy measures aimed at safeguarding the marine habitats of these charismatic creatures.

中文翻译：

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地中海东部的爱奥尼亚海：海龟和各种海洋巨型动物的重要全年栖息地，涵盖所有生命阶段和性别

保护海洋巨型动物是一项复杂的任务，特别是由于我们对它们的分布和对人类压力的敏感性的了解存在空白。虽然东地中海爱奥尼亚海以海龟筑巢地和多样化鲸目动物种群而闻名，但确定难以捉摸的物种的关键海洋栖息地仍然是该地区的一项重大挑战。这项研究提供了 15 年在爱奥尼亚海收集的搁浅数据的见解，揭示了海洋巨型动物对海洋栖息地的利用。红海龟搁浅的记录甚至超出了繁殖季节，凸显了该地区作为全年觅食和发育栖息地的生态意义。搁浅记录不断揭示该地区存在绿海龟，强调需要进一步研究其栖息地利用情况。春季/夏季观察到的搁浅频率较高可归因于个体丰度增加、报告率提高或海上人类活动加剧等因素。虽然该地区鲸目动物搁浅的报告中明显存在人为干扰，但地中海僧海豹搁浅的年度记录却引发了人们对这种濒危物种当地种群生存能力的质疑。这项研究提供了大量证据，表明爱奥尼亚海作为地中海海洋巨型动物潜在热点的重要性。结果强调需要采取旨在保护这些魅力生物的海洋栖息地的政策措施。