• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.203-217
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• 2021

Background: Sea turtles, which are globally endangered species, have been stranded and found as bycatch on the Korean shore recently. More studies on sea turtles in Korea are necessary to aid their conservation. To investigate the spatio-temporal occurrence patterns of sea turtles on the Korean shore, we recorded sampling locations and dates, identified species and sexes and measured sizes (maximum curved carapace length; CCL) of collected sea turtles from the year 2014 to 2020. For an analysis of diets through stomach contents, we identified the morphology of the remaining food and extracted DNA, followed by amplification, cloning, and sequencing. Results: A total of 62 stranded or bycaught sea turtle samples were collected from the Korean shores during the study period. There were 36 loggerhead turtles, which were the dominant species, followed by 19 green turtles, three hawksbill turtles, two olive ridley turtles, and two leatherback turtles. The highest numbers were collected in the year 2017 and during summer among the seasons. In terms of locations, most sea turtles were collected from the East Sea, especially from Pohang. Comparing the sizes of collected sea turtles according to species, the average CCL of loggerhead turtles was 79.8 cm, of green turtles was 73.5 cm, and of the relatively large leatherback turtle species was 126.2 cm. In most species, the proportion of females was higher than that of males and juveniles, and was more than 70% across all the species. Food remains were morphologically identified from 19 stomachs, mainly at class level. Seaweeds were abundant in stomachs of green turtles, and Bivalvia was the most detected food item in loggerhead turtles. Based on DNA analysis, food items from a total of 26 stomachs were identified to the species or genus level. The gulfweed, Sargassum thunbergii, and the kelp species, Saccharina japonica, were frequently detected from the stomachs of green turtles and the jellyfish, Cyanea nozakii, the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, and kelps had high frequencies of occurrences in loggerhead turtles. Conclusions: Our findings support those of previous studies suggesting that sea turtles are steadily appearing in the Korean sea. In addition, we verified that fish and seaweed, which inhabit the Korean sea, are frequently detected in the stomach of sea turtles. Accordingly, there is a possibility that sea turtles use the Korean sea as feeding grounds and habitats. These results can serve as basic data for the conservation of globally endangered sea turtles.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.657-663
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• 2009

This paper reports the strandings of sea turtles on Korean shores monitored for the first time in 2008. A total of 19 sea turtles, consisting of 12 greens and 7 loggerheads, were recorded as stranded from the east coast to the south including Jeju Island. Reported strandings reached a peak in July and dominant area was Jeju Island. The curved carapace length of loggerhead sea turtles ranged 65-84.2cm and that of green sea turtles ranged 39.2-90cm, indicating most of them were immature to sub-adult. Out of 19 turtles, 11 were found dead with unknown reasons. Possible causes of death may include drawning by fishing gear, swallowing of marine debris, boat collision, and diseases. An immature green sea turtle tagged with a satellite transmitter spent winter near Jeju Island where it was released, suggesting that the Island provide immature greens a feeding ground. Considering thousands of sea turtles crawl on Japanese shores for nesting every year, the number of sea turtles reported in Korean waters was relatively small. Therefore, it is suggested that an appropriate monitoring system be necessary to protect and conserve endangered sea turtle species in Korean waters.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 1998

Blood samples collected from green (chelonia mydas), loggerhead (caretta caretta), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles were analyzed by radioimmunoassay to detect seasonal variations in thyroid hormones and compare levels in wild and captive individuals. Sexual dimorphism in the annual cycle of thyroxine was observed in adult Kemp's ridley. No differences were observed between immature male and female green and loggerhead sea turtles. The level of triiodothyronine was consistently low relative to thyroxine in all species investigated, and captive sea turtles exhibit higher plasms thyroid levels than do wild ones.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2017

Four species of sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, and Eretmochelys imbricata) have been recorded in Korean waters. However, nationwide surveys on the distribution and occurrence of each species have rarelybeen conducted in Korean waters. In this study, we comparatively analyzed the trends in occurrence of sea turtles and their morphological characteristics based on 148 reliable observations and stuffed specimen data and suggested Korean names for each species. Chelonia mydas (57 cases, 58.8%) and C. caretta (52 cases, 31.5%) were dominant species, and occupied > 90% of all observations. Most of observations of sea turtles in Korean waters were obtained through stranding (61 cases) and incidental catches (62 cases). A coastal set net was the main fishing gear for incidental catches (82%). Sea turtles were found mainly around Jeju-do and the Korea Strait from June to November. Most C. caretta found were adults, whereas most C. mydas were juveniles. Additionally, we provide detailed morphological characteristics of C. mydas (n=8) and C. caretta (n=4) using stuffed specimens. Finally, based on a literature search, we suggest appropriate Korean names, such as "Pureunbada-geobuk" for C. mydas, "Bulgeunbadageobuk" for C. caretta, "Jangsu-geobuk" for D. coriacea, and "Maeburibada-geobuk" for E. imbricate.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.709-716
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• 2011

To investigate the distribution and migrations of sea turtles occurring in Korean waters, an adult female green sea turtle Chelonia mydas was tagged with a satellite transmitter and released at Busan in October 2009. The confirmation was made for the first time that the released green sea turtle migrated back to Korea after visiting Jeju Island and Japan for approximately 9 months. The green sea turtle spent the winter in Jeju and Japan because of low water temperatures in the East Sea and South Sea during winter months, which were not suitable for turtle survival. Compared with an immature green sea turtle that was released at Jeju Island, the adult green showed a markedly different migration pattern, suggesting that juvenile and adult greens move differently because of their peculiar life cycle and their stage of maturity, in addition to responses to temperature changes. Additional satellite tracking with increased representation of species, sexes and sizes of turtles, and regions is required to gather information on the distribution and movements of sea turtles in Korean waters.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.589-600
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• 2022

Longline fishery targeting tunas and tuna-like species is known to produce a significant amount of catch not only for the target species, but also for ecologically related species like sharks, marine turtles, sea birds and marine mammals. Recognizing this seriousness, tuna related regional fisheries management organizations (t-RFMOs) have established conservation and management measures (CMMs) to reduce bycatch and/or interaction with ecosystem vulnerable species including sea turtles and are obliged to implement bycatch mitigation measures and guidelines on safe release to their member countries. Along with development and strengthening of those measures, various case studies have been conducting to verify the effectiveness of bycatch mitigation for ecologically related species. This study examines the background and progress on developing CMMs of t-RFMOs and regulation programs of the United States related to sea turtles, which have recently become one of the main issues, and reviews case studies on sea turtle bycatch mitigation measures to find out the effectiveness of reducing bycatch rate and impacts to the fisheries. In order to respond the consultation process on certification determination with the United States, it was confirmed the current status of implementation on related measures conducted by Korean tuna longline fishery based on scientific observer data and survey for captains. Even though all Korean tuna longline fleets belong to the deep-set longline fishery (100-300m), which is not subject to the obligation of those mitigation measures, they are voluntarily implementing both measures, use of circle hook and whole finfish bait, regardless of which RFMO's Convention area they operate. And the national regulatory and management programs for sea turtle bycatch prevention adopted by Republic of Korea seems to be comparable in effectiveness to that of the United Stated. However, Korea needs to take preemptive measures in establishing sustainable fisheries, including the protection of the marine ecosystem and environment, as stronger requests are anticipated to be made by the international community on this matter.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.662-669
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• 2012

Bycatch and stranding of sea turtles from Jeju coastal water of Korea were monitered from 2008 to 2009. A total of 41 sea turtles, consisting of 12 greens (Chelonia mydas), 3 loggerheads (Caretta caretta), 1 hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and 25 unidentified species, were recorded and observed in those area. Reported stranding and bycatch reached to a peak in August. The largest number of bycatch occurred in the coastal waters around Aewol-eup located in northwest area of Jeju Island. Most of the bycatch were taken by set nets and gill nets, which prevailed over the fishing grounds in the coastal waters of the Jeju Island. It is suggested that an appropriate monitoring system be necessary to conserve endangered sea turtle species in Jeju of Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.201-208
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• 2014

To date, no study has reported detailed morphological characteristics of Korean sea turtles. Due to the lack of such basic information on Korean sea turtles, further related studies have been difficult in South Korea. In this report, we determined the species and the sex of the one sea turtle caught from the Yellow Sea of Korea (Taean-gun, Chungcheongnamdo) on July 17, 2013, and described its detailed morphological characteristics. The sea turtle was identified as a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) by the presence of an interprefrontal scale on the head. The turtle had three times longer length between the edge of anal scute to the anus than that between the anus to tip of the tail, and the size of a pair of claws on the flippers were distinctively different, suggesting that the turtle was a male. Finally, the assumption that the sea turtle might be sexually mature is based on its body weight (59.95 kg), the maximum straight length of the carapace (72.5 cm), and the worn serrated parts at the edge of supracaudal scutes. The loggerhead sea turtle described in this study is the first record from the Yellow Sea of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.917-926
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• 2022

The green turtle Chelonia mydas has been designated as an endangered species globally due to its reduced population. Although C. mydas is not known to reproduce on the shores of the Korean peninsula, it has been listed as a protected marine species in South Korea. This study describes the first successful captive breeding of C. mydas in a commercial aquarium in South Korea and provides information on the early growth patterns of C. mydas hatched and reared in indoor facilities. C. mydas YS-B003 laid a total of 594 eggs in ten nesting events in the period December 2016-June 2017. Of these, 115 fertilized eggs from six events hatched successfully. The size of the newly hatched turtles differed significantly among nesting events. The hatchlings from the 8^th and 9^th nesting events were relatively smaller than those from the 3^rd and 5^th events. The rate of growth initially varied across the different events, but from the 1,000^th day, the inter-group variation disappeared. The present study provides useful information for future captive breeding of sea turtles in indoor facilities, which would contribute to the protection of these endangered sea turtle species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2024

After the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) came into effect, international cooperation through Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) was required, and each RFMO established and adopted the Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) for the regional Observer Programs to collect data on fishing activities and biological information and to monitor compliance with its CMMs. The observer coverage required by RFMO is set differently for each organization, ranging from 5% to 100%. In addition, tuna-RFMOs recommend increasing observer coverage in longline fisheries by at least 20% for reliable quantitative analysis of not only target species but also bycatch species and ecologically related species such as sharks, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. Therefore, in this study, we discussed ways to improve the national observer programs of Korean distant water fisheries that should be addressed in the future to respond to the RFMO trends.