MTSG Updates Marine Turtle Regional Management Units (RMUs)

Written By Ashleigh Bandimere
 
 

© Lewis Burnett / Ocean Image Bank

 

We are pleased to announce that after two years of work by members of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group as part of the 7th Burning Issues Workshop, updated boundaries for sea turtle RMUs, or subpopulations, have been published in an article entitled Regional Management Units 2.0: an updated framework for conservation and research of a wide-ranging megafauna species. The work presented in the paper is a culmination of expert knowledge and collaboration and the most up-to-date information on sea turtle biogeography and genetics. Thanks to these grand efforts, the boundaries for RMUs are now much more accurate and refined compared to the original RMUs published in 2010 and will aid in sea turtle research, conservation, and management.

This process involved:

  • Collating 279 papers pertaining to sea turtle biogeography and genetics

  • Georeferencing 959 maps and 167 distinct genetic stocks

  • Creating a custom, interactive GIS platform for collecting edits and feedback from 49 global experts

  • Writing and publishing a peer-reviewed article featuring 48 updated RMU boundaries

More details on RMUs, including their applications, tools and resources, and new RMU boundaries can be viewed by clicking the button below.

Ashleigh Bandimere
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2019 Regional Reports Available