A Very Rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nesting on Rafah Beach, Gaza Strip, Palestine

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‫ﺑﺴﻢ ﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ‬

ISSN 0178-6288 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Norman_KhalafPrinz_Sakerfalke_Von_Jaffa/publications https://palestine.academia.edu/NormanKhalaf https://issuu.com/dr-norman-ali-khalaf/docs

============================= ‫ اﻟﻨﺸﺮة اﻟﻔﻠﺴﻄﯿﻨﯿﺔ ﻟﻌﻠﻢ اﻷﺣﯿﺎء‬: ‫اﻟﻐﺰال‬

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Gazelle : Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin

============================= Monthly Bulletin – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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A Very Rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) Nesting on Rafah Beach, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, and a review of its distribution in Palestinian Waters

‫ﺗﻌﺸﯿﺶ ﻧﺎدر ﻟﻠﻐﺎﯾﺔ ﻟﻠﺴﻼﺣﻒ اﻟﺒﺤﺮﯾﺔ اﻟﻀﺨﻤﺔ اﻟﺮأس‬ ، ‫ ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ‬، ‫ ﺟﻨﻮب ﻗﻄﺎع ﻏﺰة‬، ‫ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﺊ رﻓﺢ‬ ‫و ُﻣﺮاﺟﻌﺔ ﻹﻧﺘﺸﺎره ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﯿﺎه اﻟﻔﻠﺴﻄﯿﻨﯿﺔ‬ By: Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa

A pair of Loggerhead turtle hatchlings race for the Mediterranean Sea after they were freed by ecologists after being trapped in their 40 cm deep nest at a protected hatchery on Karkara (Betzet) beach at first light August 24, 2006 near the northern Palestinian town of Nahariya (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images, 2006). https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/pair-of-loggerhead-turtle-hatchlingsrace-for-the-news-photo/71730861

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Abstract: A very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) hatching was recorded on the beach of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, in July 2021, for the first time in the Gaza Strip in around 30 years.

‫ ﺗم ﺗﺳﺟﯾل ﻓﻘس ﻧﺎدر ﻟﻠﻐﺎﯾﺔ ﻟﻠﺳﻼﺣف اﻟﺑﺣرﯾﺔ ﺿﺧﻣﺔ اﻟرأس ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷواطﺊ رﻓﺢ‬:‫ُﻣﻠﺧص‬ ‫ وذﻟك ﻟﻠﻣرة اﻷوﻟﻰ ﻓﻲ ﻗطﺎع ﻏزة ﻣﻧذ ﺣواﻟﻲ‬، 2021 ‫ ﻓﻲ ﯾوﻟﯾو‬، ‫ ﺟﻧوب ﻗطﺎع ﻏزة‬، . ً ‫ﺛﻼﺛﯾن ﻋﺎﻣﺎ‬

A very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtles hatching was recorded on the beach of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, for the first time in the Gaza Strip in around 30 years. 11.00 p.m. on 13.07.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159283022409831&set=pcb.10159267126699 831

Sea Turtles in Palestinian Waters Marine Turtles are the largest reptiles in Palestine. They live mostly in the sea, but the females come ashore on summer nights to lay dozens of eggs in cavities they dig in the sand. The offspring hatch in about two months (Bouskila, 2016).

In some turtle species, the offspring’s gender is determined by the temperature in the nest. In the 1920’s and 1930’s sea turtle populations suffered greatly, with Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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some 2000 green turtles being hunted each year along Palestine’s coast. Despite that, in the 1950’s 15 nests per kilometer were reported on Palestine’s northern beaches. The fact that in 2011 only one nest per kilometer was found on average in those areas highlights the sharp decline in the marine turtle populations, despite conservation efforts and legal protections (Bouskila, 2016).

Marine Turtles are endangered for various reasons: adults are injured by ship propellers, by ingesting waste and plastic bags, by fishing nets and hooks; nests are harmed by vehicles driving on the beaches, by human activity on the beaches at night and by animal predators; reduced numbers of beach sites available for nesting and artificial lighting along the beaches deters females from laying their eggs, as well as causing the offspring to lose their innate sense of direction, which guides them to the sea upon hatching (Bouskila, 2016).

A Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta and a Green Turtle Chelonia mydas in the Marine Environment Stamp Sheet, issued by Israel Post on 09 February 2016. https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=61145

Four Sea Turtle species lives in Palestinian waters, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea: Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758 The Loggerhead Turtle is the most prevalent marine turtle in the Mediterranean Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Sea and it lays the largest numbers of eggs along Palestine’s beaches (some 135 nests per year in recent years). It is mostly carnivorous, eating jellyfish, fish and crabs.

The postage stamp (see page 3) features the Loggerhead Turtle near the sandy seabed, with barnacles clearly shown attached to its shell. The stamp tab features the unique scutes and scales pattern that differentiates this species from the Green Turtle, clearly showing the fifth scute in rows along the sides (Bouskila, 2016).

Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758 The Green Turtle is the only marine turtle that is mainly herbivorous in adulthood. Only 15 nests on average belonging to this species are found along Palestine’s beaches. However, 63 of the 192 turtles, dead or injured, that wash onto the shore on average each year are Green Turtles.

The postage stamp (see page 3) features the underbelly of the Green Turtle, with the surface of the sea as seen from underwater shown in the background. The stamp tab features the scutes and scales of the Green Turtle’s back shell (Bouskila, 2016).

A Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea and a Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in the Marine Environment Stamp Sheet, issued by Israel Post on 09 February 2016. https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=61145

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Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea Vandelli, 1761 The Leatherback Turtle is the largest and heaviest turtle species in the world, measuring up to 3 meters in length and weighing up to 930 kgs. As opposed to other marine turtles, its shell is covered with hard skin rather than scutes. The Leatherback Turtle migrates great distances across the oceans, swims faster than all other marine turtles (up to 35 km/h) and can dive to a depth of 1280 meters.

This species feeds mainly on jellyfish and only rarely appears along Palestine’s shores, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.

The background of the postage stamp (see page 4) features jellyfish, which are the Leatherback Turtle’s main food source. The ridges on the turtle’s back are prominent. The stamp tab highlights this species’ hydrodynamic body (Bouskila, 2016).

Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus, 1766 The Hawksbill Turtle is the smallest of the marine turtles and is considered to be the most beautiful, thanks to the brown, black and yellow scutes tiled on its shell.

This species is endangered mainly due to hunting in Southeast Asia. The turtle’s narrow head allows it to extract prey from among the coral. The Hawksbill Turtle occasionally frequents the Gulf of Aqaba.

The background of the postage stamp (see page 4) features the seabed and sea creatures typical to the Gulf of Aqaba. The stamp tab features a schematic sketch of the Hawksbill Turtle’s scutes and scales, and clearly shows its narrow head (Bouskila, 2016).

A very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtles hatching was recorded on the beach of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, for the first time in the Gaza Strip in around 30 years. 11.00 p.m. on 13.07.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159267335574831&set=pcb.10159267126699831 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Loggerhead Sea Turtles in the Gaza Strip A very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) hatching was recorded on the beach of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, for the first time in the Gaza Strip in around 30 years on 13.07.2021 at 23.00 hours (Abd Rabou, 2021a; Khalaf, 2021a).

Rafah is located in the southern Gaza Strip, near the Egyptian border. It is the least populated area in the Gaza Strip; therefore, its beaches are the least crowded (see photos on page 11), and also the Coronavirus pandemic has reduced the population’s visit to the beaches, which is the only natural place for Gazan families to spend their time in the besieged Gaza Strip for more than 15 years. It seems that these two factors encouraged sea turtles to come back to the Rafah beach to lay their eggs, after an absence of around 30 years (Abd Rabou, 2021a).

Gaza beaches were nesting sites of sea turtles in the past. It is known that sea turtles return to the same hatching site to lay their eggs.

Recently, several sightings were made of sea turtles hatching on the Gaza Beach; and the hatchlings were observed heading towards the sea in the early morning (Sabri, 2021). Four Sea Turtle hatchlings were observed one hour before dawn in 2014 on Al-Waha Tourist Resort Beach, Al-Sudaniyah Beach, north Gaza Strip (El-Sultan, 2021).

A very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtles hatching was recorded on the beach of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, for the first time in the Gaza Strip in around 30 years. 11.00 p.m. on 13.07.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159267126644831&set=pcb.101592671266998 31 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) are known from the Gaza Sea and beaches. There are many records of loggerhead turtles caught as bycatch in fishing nets, or found dead washed up on Gaza beaches.

For example, on 28.08.2013 fishermen from Gaza, caught a 70-kilogram Loggerhead Sea turtle as a bycatch in their fishing net on the coast of Gaza (see photos on pages 7, 8) (Dunya Al Watan, 2013; Khalaf, 2013e).

Loggerhead Sea Turtles were found dead several times on Gaza beaches. See for example the two photos on page 9 from 20.02.2017 & 25.09.2017 (Abd Rabou, 2017a, 2017b).

A Loggerhead Sea Turtle was caught alive in Gaza Sea. A Gazan citizen from AlNuseirat Refugee Camp bought it from the fish market on 11.09.2014 for $ 15.00 to save it from slaughtering, and it was released eventually into the sea (See the 2 photos on page 10) (Abd Rabou, 2014b).

Sea turtles are caught and sold in Gazan fish markets, and they are considered as sea food, and is eaten in the Gaza Strip. Gazans also believe that sea turtles blood stimulates sexual aphrodisiac, and its blood is considered a treatment for impotence, and it is also used for other medical problems. It was observed that fishermen gave the blood to children with bruises, and gave it to adults with back problems (Reuters, 2008). The carapace of sea turtles especially from Leatherback turtles are used by Gazan children as surfboard (Reuters, 2008).

Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were also found dead several times washed up on Gaza beaches (Abd Rabou, 2019, 2020).

A Loggerhead Sea Turtle is freed from the fishing net on the coast of Gaza, State of Palestine on 28.08.2013. Photo by Ihab Fasfous (Dunya Al Watan, 2013).

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A fisherman is carrying the Loggerhead Sea Turtle after it was freed from the fishing net on the coast of Gaza, State of Palestine. 28.08.2013. Photo by Ihab Fasfous (Dunya Al Watan, 2013).

The freed Loggerhead Sea Turtle which was caught in a fishing net on the coast of Gaza, Palestine. 28.08.2013. Photo by Ihab Fasfous (Dunya Al Watan, 2013).

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A dead loggerhead Sea Turtle washed up on Gaza Beach. 20.02.2017. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1424454224243165&set=a.212687845419815

A dead loggerhead Sea Turtle washed up on Sheikh Ijlin beach in southern Gaza City.

25.09.2017. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/1648963928458859 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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A Loggerhead Sea Turtle was caught alive in Gaza. A Gazan citizen bought it from the fish market for $ 15.00 to save it from slaughtering, and it was released eventually into the sea. Photos: Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Abd Rabou. 11.09.2014. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/824114077610519 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Rafah Sea, southern Gaza Strip, Palestine. Photo: Abdel Fattah Abd Rabou. 16.07.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4359050827450142&set=pcb.4359055427449682

Less frequent visitors to Rafah Beach, southern Gaza Strip, Palestine. Photo: Abdel Fattah Abd Rabou. 16.07.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4359050604116831&set=pcb.4359055427449682 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Palestinian waters Among sea turtle species, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) is the most commonly found on the shores of Palestine. The main nesting grounds for the Mediterranean population of this species are located along the shores of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey (I.C.S.E.M. Report 1986). Until quite recently, hundreds of nests were found each year along the Mediterranean coast of Palestine. In the 1950's, some 200 nests with a density of about 15 nests per km were recorded on 15 km of typical beach in the northern region of Palestine (Sella 1982). The picture has changed, however, during the last few decades. The latest reports by the Israeli Nature Reserves Authority (Soffer 1988, Kuler 1990), and the research results of Silberstein and Dmi'el (1991) show that the abundance and density of nesting by this species has abruptly decreased. Along some 55 km of coastline, which includes the surveyed area mentioned in Sella's report, only 10 nests were found in 1984, 14 in 1985, 16 in 1986, 16 in 1987, and 11 and 13 nests in the years 1988 and 1989, respectively. Personal Reports also revealed a similar situation on other Mediterranean beaches in Palestine (Silberstein and Dmi'el 1991, Khalaf 2014f).

A Loggerhead turtle hatchling races towards the Mediterranean Sea after breaking out of its egg in a protected area in Umm Khaled (Netanya), Palestine. Facebook of Prabhdeep Singh. 22.09. 2013. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=601646416543400&set=a.118143708227009 &type=3

In the framework of attempts to recover the loggerhead sea turtle in Palestine, several aspects of its reproduction were investigated, with an emphasis on the physical conditions prevailing in the nests. During the 1986-1989 nesting seasons (mid-May through July), Silberstein and Dmi'el (1991) surveyed repeatedly, in collaboration with the rangers of the Israeli Nature Reserves Authority, 35 km of Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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beach along the northern Mediterranean coast of Palestine. A total of 34 loggerhead nests were found in this area (16 nests were found in 1986, 10 in 1987, 4 in 1988, 4 in 1989). The earliest clutch was laid on 21 May, the latest on 27 July.

Most of the nests were located <10-50 m beyond the high-tide line. Only a few were found further, in the dunes, some 80-150 m beyond the high-tide line. The average clutch size was 82 eggs (range 55-149). The average period of incubation was 54 days, ranging from 60-62 days in May (temperature in the center of the nest = 26.5°C) to 50-52 days in late July (nest temperature = 30°C) (Silberstein and Dmi'el 1991, Khalaf 2014f).

Loggerhead Sea Turtles hatchlings near Atlit, south of Haifa, Occupied Palestine, on their way to the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: Hila Shaked. August 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Hatchling_Loggerhead_Sea_ Turtles_near_Atlit_Israel.jpg

During 1986-1989, hatching success varied considerably among nests, ranging from 0%-90%. Hatch failure was attributed to the depth of the nest and to its location with respect to the water line. Typically, nests were dug by the female to a depth of 30 cm (upper egg layer) to 50 cm (lower egg layer) below the sand surface. At this depth, the sand humidity (average water content 3%) and the daily temperature fluctuation (2°C) were stable. Four nests, however, were constructed so that the uppermost eggs were only 10-15 cm below the sand surface. In these cases, strong temperature fluctuations and sand desiccation resulted in an average hatching success of only 6%. Eleven nests, located too close to the high-tide line, were exposed to summer storms that occasionally occur in this area. Seawater inundation resulted in an almost complete cessation Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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of embryo development, resulting in 0-11% hatching success (Silberstein and Dmi'el 1991, Khalaf 2014f).

A Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) was washed up on the Jaffa North Beach, Occupied Palestine on Friday 20.07.2012. http://www.panet.co.il/online/articles/1/2/S-571852,1,2.html

A sharp decline in the number and density of loggerhead sea turtle nests in Palestine is attributable to both regional and local processes. On the one hand, an immense fishing of turtles took place in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea during the first half of last century. Today the intensity of this activity has diminished, but the consequences for the loggerhead population are still very conspicuous. Concomitantly, a local large-scale excavation of beach sand for concrete production took place in occupied Palestine (Israel). This altered the structure of many beaches in which female loggerheads dug their nests (Sella 1982). The present situation demands that immediate protective measures be taken. The first emergency step should be to rescue eggs laid in poorly located nests, as is done for other sea turtle species (e.g., Eckert and Eckert 1990). These eggs should be transplanted over the shortest practicable distance and reburied under favorable natural conditions (at a beach hatchery site if necessary). As a last resort, and only if beach reburial is not possible, eggs may be artificially incubated in the laboratory. This procedure has been shown to result in high (90%) hatching success (Silberstein 1988). In either case, hatchlings should be released immediately to the sea from the original oviposition site. Other Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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measures should include the protection of nesting and foraging grounds, technology to reduce incidental catch, and a concerted effort at public awareness and education (Silberstein and Dmi'el 1991, Khalaf 2014f).

A dead Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) was washed up on the Jaffa Beach, Occupied Palestine on Thursday 08.08.2013. http://www.yaffa48.com/?mod=articles&ID=10730

The volunteers and staff of the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority are doing their best to protect the sea turtles. From transplanting turtle nests during the nesting season to protected beaches, through the rescue and treatment of wounded turtles brought in by fishermen or washed up on Palestine's shores, to the development of a long-range breeding program for the threatened Green Turtles.

In 2006, the numbers have dwindled in the Mediterranean to an estimated 350 nesting female Green Turtles and about 2500 nesting female Loggerheads. Far Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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removed from man-made obstacles and protected from their natural predators such as crabs, foxes and birds, the hatchlings make their race to the sea with the hope that more than 20 years later they will return to the same beach to ensure the species survival (Getty Images, 2006).

In 2018, 13,000 sea turtles hatched along Palestine's coastline, making it a recordbreaking year for the reptile's reproduction in the country. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority's Sea Turtle Rescue Center, whose employees collect eggs laid on the beach and transfer them to protected sites until hatched, said in its annual review published that the data suggests its ongoing activity is bearing fruit (Rinat, 2019).

The nesting season in 2020 improved with 371 nests - twice the average of previous years. It was an amazing achievement as a result of the efforts to strengthen the sea turtle population in Palestine.

The nests are attributed to 140 loggerhead (brown) turtle females and 12 green turtle females. Both of these species are in serious danger of extinction, in Palestine and around the world (Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation of America, 2020).

The success stems from the many efforts carried out over the years under the leadership of the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, and in collaboration with 412 volunteers and other organisations that have assisted in the efforts (Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation of America, 2020).

On 15.07.2021, a clutch of 46 loggerhead sea turtles hatched at Ras Al-Naqoura (Rosh Hanikra) nature preserve on Palestine's northern coast (Lavie, 2021).

The hatching was overseen by volunteers and rangers form the Israel Nature and Parks Authority who made sure the baby turtles reached the sea safely.

Mid July 2021 hatching marked the end of the mating season, which began in May. Pregnant female sea turtles leave the sea at night and lay groups of 70-140 eggs, which they bury. It takes about two months for the babies to hatch (Lavie, 2021).

Researchers have learned that artificial light from seaside event venues, restaurants, and the promenade can confuse the hatchlings and cause them to crawl away from, rather than toward, the sea (Lavie, 2021).

Nesting Beaches for the Loggerhead Turtles and Green Turtles are: Al-Carmel, Sharon Plain (Hasharon), Philistia (Pleshet) (From Gaza to Asdud), Southern Coastal Plains, Western Galilee (Hochscheid et al., 2019).

Dead Loggerhead Sea Turtles were recorded several times washed up on Palestinian beaches. In Jaffa for example, several records of dead Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) washed up on the Jaffa Beach, Occupied Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Palestine were recorded between 2010 -2013 (see photos on pages 14, 15, 17) (Khalaf, 2014e) and on Gaza Strip beach (see photos on page 9) (Abd Rabou, 2017a, 2017b).

Loggerhead sea turtles, common on Palestine's coast, are endangered. Hatchlings weigh 15-40 grams (half an ounce to 1.5 ounces), while adults weigh an average 90 kg. (198 pounds). Most loggerhead turtles live over 30 years, and some can live as long as 50 (Lavie, 2021).

A Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) was washed up on the Jaffa Beach, Occupied Palestine on Thursday 08.08.2013. http://yomnet.net/Show.php?page=News&id=23766

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758), or Loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around 90 cm (35 in) long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to 280 cm (110 in) have been discovered. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kg (300 lb), with the largest specimens weighing in at more than 450 kg (1,000 lb). The skin ranges from yellow to brown in colour, and the shell is typically reddish-brown. No external differences in gender are seen until the turtle becomes an adult, the most obvious difference being the adult males have thicker tails and shorter plastrons than the females (Wikipedia; Khalaf 2013e, 2014f).

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Palestinian Sea Turtles hatchlings on the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: Einav Hadani. 25.08.2020. https://www.facebook.com/INHFUS/posts/1158769444494081

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The loggerhead sea turtle is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It spends most of its life in saltwater and estuarine habitats, with females briefly coming ashore to lay eggs. The loggerhead sea turtle has a low reproductive rate; females lay an average of four egg clutches and then become quiescent, producing no eggs for two to three years. The loggerhead reaches sexual maturity within 17–33 years and has a lifespan of 47–67 years (Wikipedia; Khalaf 2013e, 2014f).

The loggerhead sea turtle is omnivorous, feeding mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Its large and powerful jaws serve as an effective tool for dismantling its prey. Young loggerheads are exploited by numerous predators; the eggs are especially vulnerable to terrestrial organisms. Once the turtles reach adulthood, their formidable size limits predation to large marine animals, such as sharks (Wikipedia; Khalaf 2013e, 2014f).

Loggerheads are considered an endangered species and are protected by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Untended fishing gear is responsible for many loggerhead deaths. Turtles may also suffocate if they are trapped in fishing trawls. Turtle excluder devices have been implemented in efforts to reduce mortality by providing an escape route for the turtles. Loss of suitable nesting beaches and the introduction of exotic predators have also taken a toll on loggerhead populations. Efforts to restore their numbers will require international cooperation, since the turtles roam vast areas of ocean and critical nesting beaches are scattered across several countries (Wikipedia; Khalaf 2013e, 2014f).

Turtles in the Marine Environment Stamp Sheet, issued by Israel Post in 09 February 2016. https://www.israel21c.org/its-turtle-hatching-season-in-israel/

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References and Internet Websites Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (01.05.2012). A Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) slaughtered as sea food at Jabalya Refugee Camp Souq, north Gaza Strip.

01.05.2012. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=402109513144313&set=a.21268784541 9815 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (13.05.2014a). A Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) slaughtered as sea food at Jabalya Refugee Camp Souq, north Gaza Strip.

13.05.2014. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=747701655251762&set=a.21268784541 9815 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (11.09.2014b). Loggerhead Sea Turtle was caught alive in Gaza to be sold in the fish market for $15.00 and eventually released into the sea. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/824114077610519 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (20.02.2017a). A dead Loggerhead Sea Turtle washed up on Gaza Beach. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1424454224243165&set=a.2126878454 19815 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (25.09.2017b). A dead loggerhead Sea Turtle washed up on Sheikh Ijlin beach in southern Gaza City. 25.09.2017. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/1648963928458859 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (14.09.2019). A dead Leatherback Sea Turtle washed up on Al-Shati Refugee Camp (Beach Camp) beach, northern Gaza Strip.

Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2613236578698251&set=gm.39211504 1689032 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (24.01.2020). A dead 3-meter Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) washed up on Al-Sudaniyah beach, north Gaza Strip.

Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/2894892477199325 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (14.07.2021a). Rare sea turtle hatching on Rafah Beach, south Gaza Strip, Palestine at 11.00 p.m. on 13.07.2021. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/4352320098123215 Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (16.07.2021b). Scientific visit to the sea turtle hatching beach in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/4359055427449682 Al-Kiyumi, A., Vanda Mendonca, H. Grobler, S. Al Saadi, Karim Erzini (January Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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2002). The hawksbill turtle nesting population of the Dimaniyat Islands, in the Gulf of Oman. Proc. 20th Int. Symp. Sea Turtle Biol. Conservation, Florida, USA, 2000. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS-SEFSC 447: 243-244. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263735071_The_hawksbill_turtle_ne sting_population_of_the_Dimaniyat_Islands_in_the_Gulf_of_Oman Allen, M. S. (2007). Three millennia of human and sea turtle interactions in remote Oceania. Coral Reefs. 26(4): 959-970.

Animal Diversity Web. Caretta caretta Loggerhead. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Caretta_caretta/ Arkive. Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). http://www.arkive.org/loggerheadturtle/caretta-caretta/ Bjorndal, K.A. (1985). Nutritional ecology of sea turtles. Copeia. 1985(3): 736-751.

Bjorndal, K.A.; A.B. Bolten, T. Dellinger, C. Delgado, and H.R. Martins (2003).

Compensatory growth in oceanic loggerhead sea turtles: Response to a stochastic environment. Ecology. 84(5): 1237-1249.

Bouskila, Prof. Amos (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) (2016). Turtles in the Marine Environment (Israel 2016). Virtual Stamp Club (2016). http://virtualstampclub.com/lloydblog/?cat=39 Dunya Al Watan ‫( دﻧﯿﺎ اﻟﻮطﻦ‬30.08.2013). Animal World: In Pictures .. Catching a great turtle on the Coast of Gaza Sea. ‫ إﺻﻄﯿﺎد ﺳﻠﺤﻔﺎة ﻋﻤﻼﻗﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﺊ ﺑﺤﺮ ﻏﺰة‬.. ‫ﺑﺎﻟﺼﻮر‬ Photo by: Ihab Fasfous. (In Arabic). http://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/2013/08/30/430500.html Eckert, K. L. and S. A. Eckert (1990). Embryo mortality and hatch success in in situ and translocated leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) eggs. Biol.

Cons. 53:37-46.

El-Sultan, Amr (29.07.2021). Sea Turtle hatchlings were observed in 2014 on AlWaha Tourist Resort Beach, Al-Sudaniyah Beach, north Gaza Strip (Comment).

Loggerhead Sea Turtle hatchlings from Rafah Beach. by: Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf. Palestine Marine Life. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/505176074114825/posts/507442710554828 Getty Images (24.08.2006). Israeli Ecologists Struggle to Protect Mediterranean Turtles. Photo by David Silverman. https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/newsphoto/pair-of-loggerhead-turtle-hatchlings-race-for-the-news-photo/71730861 Hochscheid, S.; M. Aksissou, T. Arapis, M. Benabdi, L. Boura, A. Broderick, L. Cardona, C. Carreras, F. Claro, A. Demetropoulos, W.J. Fuller, I. Jribi. Y. Kaska, Y. Levy, F. Maffucci, D. Margaritoulis, C. Mifsud. A. Panagopoulou, J. Sacchi, J. Tomás, O. Türkozan, A. Rees (2019). Turtles of the Mediterranean Sea. SWOT Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Report. Vol. XIV. pp. 20-29. https://issuu.com/medasset/docs/swot14_2029_mediterranean Hochscheid, S.; Y. Kaska and A. Panagopoulou (editors) (2018). Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean Region. MTSG Regional Report 2018.

Hürriyet Daily News (25.07.2019). Endangered baby sea turtles hatch at Turkish beach. hry.yt/QXivD I.C.S.E.M. (1986). Proc. Working Group on Mediterranean Marine Turtles, Palma de Majorca, October 1986. Intl. Council for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean, Monaco.

Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation of America (25.08.2020). Sea turtle population in Israel. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/INHFUS/posts/1158769444494081

Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf-von Jaffa diving and studying the marine life in Dubai Jumeirah Sea. 01.07.2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x07X6voRdeY

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1980). Tabie’t Al-Talawon fi Al-Haywanat (The Colouration of Animals). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 1. January 1980, Safar 1401. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 4-5. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, N.A.B. (1986). The Schooling of Sumatra Barbs (Barbus tetrazona tetrazona) and Minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus). Dissertation, Master of Science in Ecology, Departments of Zoology and Botany, University of Durham, England. September 1986. pps. 59 + iv. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/7084/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). A Trip to Zoo Budapest, Hungary.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 21, Ninth Year, January 1991. pp. 1-4.

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Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Gazelle. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 30, Tenth Year, October 1992. pp. 1-7. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1994). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement).

Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 16-21. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Extinct and Endangered Animals in Palestine. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin. Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004. / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. ISBN 3-00-0141219. Erste Auflage / First Edition, Juli 2004: 452 Seiten / Pages. Zweite erweiterte Auflage (Second Extended Edition), August 2004: 460 Seiten / Pages. SelfPublisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. http://drnorman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Jaffa (Yaffa): The History of an Old Palestinian Arab City on the Mediterranean Sea. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 7-8.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Andromeda Sea Monster of Jaffa.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 8.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Aquatica Arabica. An Aquatic Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980 - 2005 / Aquatica Arabica.

Eine Aquatische Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980 - 2005. ISBN 3-00-014835-3. Erste Auflage / First Edition, August 2005: 376 Seiten / Pages. Self-Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, RilchingenHanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/aquaticaarabica.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit Juni 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Palaestina. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Palaestina/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit September 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Arabica. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Arabica/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Haywanat Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Filistin (Fauna of Palestine). Wikipedia, Al-Mawsu'a Al-Hurra (The Free Encyclopedia). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 69, Twentyfifth Year, September 2007 CE, Sha’ban 1428 AH. pp. 1-4. (in Arabic). http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86% D8%A7%D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2008). Cetacea Palaestina: The Whales and Dolphins in Palestinian Waters. Cetacean Species Guide for Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 83, November 2008, Thu Al-Qi’ada 1429 AH. pp. 1-14. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://cetacea-palaestina.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Flora and Fauna in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 91, July 2009, Rajab 1430 AH. pp. 1-31. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2009). Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009: 412 Seiten/Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Fauna Emiratus Part One. Zoological Studies in the United Arab Emirates between 2004 - 2009. / Fauna Emiratus – Teil Eins. Zoologische Studien in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate zwischen 2004 - 2009. ISBN 978-9948-15-462-4. Erste Auflage/First Edition, November 2010: 350 Seiten / Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunaemiratuspart1.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (31.05.2011). Bowmouth Guitarfish and Green Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah, UAE. 12.04.2011.

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVKE8Bm2z04 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (31.05.2011). Bowmouth Guitarfish and Green Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah, UAE. 12.04.2011.

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG_C-Lm6EYI Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (01.06.2012). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium, UAE. 31.05.2012. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of4e4qGjOCg Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (01.06.2012). Bowmouth Guitarfish and Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium, UAE. 31.05.2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgMiCeBAnsM Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2012). Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Zwei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16667-2. 1. Auflage / First Edition: July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H. 208 Seiten / Pages (Arabic Part 120 Pages and the English Part 88 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Palestine. http://dr-norman-alikhalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart2.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (15.08.2012). The Mediterranean Sea Turtle at the Alexandria Aquarium, Alexandria, Egypt, 19.07.2012. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhNyQfUHg5Y Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (05.09.2012). Green Turtles after laying their eggs at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, Sur, Oman. 21.11.2009. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA18RvWnDkk&t=27s Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (09.02.2013a). Sea Turtle at Khor Kalba UAE 08.02.2013. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtQHufPw6A Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (22.02.2013b). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 28.01.2013. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN3wAL7l2o4 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2013c). Fauna Palaestina – Part Three.

Zoological Studies in Palestine between 2005 – 2012 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Drei.

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 2005 – 2012. ISBN 978-9950-383-35-7.

Erste Auflage / First Edition: July 2013, Shaaban 1434 H. 364 pages (English Part 350 Pages and the Arabic Part 14 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart3.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (21.11.2013d). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 16.11.2013. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7v7gfX_iI Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2013e).

The Bycatch of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) in a fishing net on the Gaza Coast, Gaza, State of Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 108, December 2013, Safar 1435 AH. pp. 1-25. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://marine-lifepalestine.webs.com/loggerhead-sea-turtle-gaza-1 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (02.04.2014a). Prof. Norman Khalaf Sharjah Aquarium. 01.04.2014. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvYfItckJW0 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (19.04.2014b). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 19.04.2014. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE87wUDRMzs Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (19.04.2014c). Green Turtle Sharjah Aquarium. 19.04.2014. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RchBxCoEFVM Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (06.06.2014d). Dugong and Sea Turtles Bu Tina Abu Dhabi. Al Waha TV 06.06.2014. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq6Rradvz3A Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2014e).

Records of Dead Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) washed up on the Jaffa Beach, Occupied Palestine between 2010-2013. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 114, June 2014, Sha’ban 1435 AH. pp. 1-11. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://marine-lifepalestine.webs.com/loggerhead-sea-turtle-jaffa Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2014f).

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) Nesting in Palestine.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 115, July 2014, Ramadan 1435 AH. pp. 1-9. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://marine-life-palestine.webs.com/loggerhead-turtle-palestine Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014g). Fauna Palaestina – Part Four. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014 / Fauna Palaestina Teil Vier. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN 978-9950383-77-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition: July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pp. 456 (English part 378 pages and Arabic part 78 pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestina-part-1.webs.com/faunapalaestina4.htm Khalaf, Prof. Norman Ali Bassam (11 February 2015). Green Sea Turtle Nest Adoption at Mataking Island Malaysia. Facebook. Prof-Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/media_set?set=a.10153031166 989831.1073741863.560519830&type=3 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (08.02.2015). Prof. Norman Khalaf Reef Green Turtle Hatchery Malaysia 08.02.2014. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVud5M0nyUI Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2015).

Plants and Animals unique to Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 125, May 2015. pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine-2.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2015). Fauna Palaestina – Part Five. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2016 / Fauna Palaestina Teil Fünf. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2016. ISBN 978-9950383-92-0. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2015, Ramadan 1436 H. 448 pp.

(English Part 304 Pages and the Arabic Part 144 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://faunapalaestina-books.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (13.09.2015). Hawksbill Sea Turtle in the Sea of Fujairah, UAE. 11.09.2015. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3f8KtVEuT4 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (24.02.2016). Sea Turtle & Shark Jaws on sale at Al Arsa Souq in Sharjah. 22.02.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiEWj7pDh3U Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (26.02.2016). Sea Turtle at Khor Kalba UAE 26.02.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwct4JgMk58 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (26.02.2016). Sea Turtle at Khor Kalba UAE 26.02.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg4SipNGeus Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (26.02.2016). Sea Turtle at Khor Kalba. 26.02.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzOUhzVE13M Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (13.04.2016). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 28.03.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBRZcMBZxRo Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (13.04.2016). Bowmouth Guitarfish & Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 28.03.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG0dluEEFwg Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (13.04.2016). Bowmouth Guitarfish & Green Sea Turtle at water surface Sharjah Aquarium. 28.03.2016.

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otMS8tD0KPE Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (14.04.2016). Nora Khalaf and Terrapins at Animal World Shop in Dubai-Jumeirah 26.03.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I1Wome7ZbM Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (10.11.2016). Sea Turtles at Mina Al Salam Hotel in Dubai 10.11.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q27Nf4wJEIg Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (10.11.2016). Sea Turtles at Mina Al Salam Hotel in Dubai 10.11.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Gr7LnvjbA Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (10.11.2016). Sea Turtles at Mina Al Salam Hotel in Dubai 10.11.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk6HluVIh5w Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (11.11.2016). Sea Turtles at Mina Al Salam Hotel in Dubai 10.11.2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dJqhadHfC8 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2016).

Haywanat Falastin (Fauna of Palestine) ‫ ﺣﯾواﻧﺎت ﻓﻠﺳطﯾن‬. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 144, December 2016, pp. 1-18.

Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (In Arabic). http://animals-ofpalestine-2.webs.com/fauna-of-palestine-arabic Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (07.02.2017). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 06.02.2017. YouTube.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks7v18kUJbQ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (07.02.2017). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 06.02.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmGLJSlqZp8 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (22.05.2017). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 18.05.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmOZLm300F8 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (22.05.2017). Green Sea Turtle at Sharjah Aquarium. 18.05.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEElK2NHkE0 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher & Ola Mostafa Esmail Mostafa Khalaf (2017). Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758) Nest Adoption at the Reef Dive Resort, Mataking Island, State of Sabah, Federation of Malaysia in 2015. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 149, May 2017, pp. 1-30. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. www.sea-turtles-1.webs.com Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa & Ola Mostafa Esmail Mostafa Khalaf (Photography) (2018). Presence of the Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata bissa Rüppell, 1835) at Lima Rock and Al-Dimaniyat Islands, Gulf of Oman, Sultanate of Oman. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 164, August 2018, pp. 1-13. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://sea-turtles-1.webs.com/hawksbill-sea-turtle

A Loggerhead turtle hatchling races towards the Mediterranean Sea after breaking out of its egg in a protected area in Umm Khaled (Netanya), Palestine. Facebook of Prabhdeep Singh. 22.09. 2013. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=601646416543400&set=a.118143708227009&type=3

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Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (07.07.2017). Prof. Dr. Norman Khalaf diving in Dubai Jumeirah Sea 01.07.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x07X6voRdeY Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.10.2017). Baby Green Turtles on the way to sea at Ras Al Jinz Beach Oman 22.09.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgcv_Hlih1g Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.10.2017). Green Turtle going to sea after laying eggs at Ras Al Jinz Beach Oman 22.09.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzZb0ZwqSE8 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.10.2017). Green Turtle covering the nest at Ras Al Jinz Beach Oman 22.09.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_omctUKo5A Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.10.2017). Green Turtle nesting at Ras Al Jinz Beach Oman. 22.09.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykv1Js7Qw9Y Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.10.2017). Green Turtle nesting at Ras Al Jinz Beach Oman. 22.09.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivP6UxVlewc Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.10.2017). Green Turtle laying eggs at Ras Al Jinz Beach Oman. 22.09.2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KTu_3uul3w Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (22.11.2017). Hawksbill Turtle at Dimaniyat Islands Aquarium Oman November 2017. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tggfFzH4A7s Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (09.05.2018). Green Sea Turtle at Kalba Mangroves Sharjah 27.04.2018. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SIVTuqYAoo Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.03.2019). Sea Turtles & Fish at Khor Kalba UAE. 18.03.2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP_5DpIODT4 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.03.2019). Sea Turtles at Khor Kalba. 18.03.2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwmegF2410 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.03.2019). Sea Turtles at Khor Kalba UAE. 18.03.2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktfgsEDb78c Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.03.2019). Sea Turtles at Khor Kalba UAE 18.03.2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eywLojBap3E Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.03.2019). Sea Turtles at Khor Kalba UAE 18.03.2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmXwKlAUBFI Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (27.03.2019). Sea Turtles at Khor Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Kalba UAE 18.03.2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktfgsEDb78c Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali (14.07.2021a). A very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle hatching on the shores of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, Palestine for the first time in around 30 years. 13.07.2021 at 23.00 hours. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/posts/10159267126699831

Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa with a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) carapace at the Sea Wonders shop, Souk Al Arsa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 19.12.2013. http://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/11792225256/

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Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali (29.07.2021b). Wait for my next scientific article on the very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) Nesting on Rafah Beach, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, and a review of its distribution in Palestinian Waters. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159296144309831&set=a.127745184830 Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali (29.07.2021c). Wait for my next scientific article on the very rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) Nesting on Rafah Beach, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, and a review of its distribution in Palestinian Waters. Palestine Marine Life. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/505176074114825/posts/507442710554828 Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (March 2023).

A Very Rare Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758) Nesting on Rafah Beach, south Gaza Strip, Palestine, and a review of its distribution in Palestinian Waters. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Volume 41, Number 219, March 2023, pp. 1-35. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, Palestine National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine.

(Abstracts in English and Arabic). https://sea-turtles1.webs.com/loggerhead-turtle-in-rafah Kuler, Z. (1990). Summary of the 1989 annual sea turtle nesting survey. Nature Reserves Authority, Central Region, Israel. 10 pp. (in Hebrew).

Lavie, Dan (16.07.2021). Watch: Baby Sea Turtles hatch at Rosh Hanikra. Israel Hayom. https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/07/16/watch-baby-sea-turtleshatch-at-rosh-hanikra/ Leichman, Abigail Klein (31.08.2017). It’s turtle-hatching season in Israel. https://www.israel21c.org/its-turtle-hatching-season-in-israel/ Mendonca Vanda, Boutros Abi-Aoun, Mohamed El Baradey (2016). Book Chapter: Past and present biocultural significance of sea turtles for local communities on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Book: Asian Sacred Natural Sites. Routledge. ISBN 9781315676272.

Mendonça, Vanda Mariyam; Salim Al Saady; Ali Al Kiyumi & Karim Erzini (2010) Interactions between Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Foxes (Vulpes vulpes arabica, V. rueppellii sabaea, and V. cana) on Turtle Nesting Grounds in the Northwestern Indian Ocean: Impacts of the Fox Community on the Behavior of Nesting Sea Turtles at the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Oman. Zoological Studies 49(4): 437-452 (2010). http://tao.wordpedia.com/show_pdf.ashx?sess=wybu1145ive25s45oi2ni155&fil e_name=JO00001106_49-4_437-452&file_type=r National Geographic. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/loggerhead-seaturtle/ National Geographic Arabiya Magazine (2014). Dinasurat Al Quds (Dinosaurs of Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Jerusalem). Dialogue with Prof. Dr. Norman Khalaf-von Jaffa. National Geographic Arabiya Magazine (October 2014, Pages 52--53). https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/15412670595 News.com.au. (30.04.2020). Sea turtles return to beaches around the world amid coronavirus pandemic. https://www.news.com.au/travel/travelupdates/health-safety/sea-turtles-return-to-beaches-around-the-world-amidcoronavirus-pandemic/news-story/eba0dfd06eaf70c8ceb70141e6f638a6 NOAA Fisheries. Office of Protected Resources. Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/loggerhead.htm Papathanasopoulou, Nancy. Endangered Sea-turtles nesting on Kuwait Islands.

BiodiversityEast. https://www.bio-e.org/lib/endangered-sea-turtles-nestingkuwait-islands Papathanasopoulou, Nancy. Olive Ridley Turtles of Masirah Island.

BiodiversityEast. https://www.bio-e.org/lib/olive-ridley-turtles-masirahisland Papathanasopoulou, Nancy. Satellite telemetry on sea turtles in Kuwait.

BiodiversityEast. https://www.bio-e.org/lib/satellite-telemetry-sea-turtleskuwait

A Loggerhead Sea Turtle hatchling (left) and a Green Sea Turtle hatchling (right). https://www.facebook.com/IsraelSeaTurtleRescueCenter/photos/a.350733241699671/ 350733315032997/?type=3 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 41 – Number 219 – March 2023

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Reuters (04.04.2008). Gazans eat an endangered Turtle. https://www.reuters.com/article/oegin-pal-gaza-turtle-ah7idARAEGO45325720080404 Rinat, Zafrir (24.02.2019). Record Number of Sea Turtles Hatch in Israel, Showing Success of Rescue Efforts. 13,000 sea turtle eggs hatched in 2018, breaking a record.

Haaretz. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-recordnumber-of-sea-turtles-hatch-in-israel-showing-success-of-rescue-efforts1.6962220?fbclid=IwAR0lSDNhzDF8EAp5DhoElg8T8_npVpGzyahLW4IcB-hlPxd3v3k5nEO7FI Sabry, Bassam (14.07.2021). Several Sightings of sea turtles hatching on Gaza Beach, and hatchlings going to sea in early morning. Facebook of Abdel Fattah Abd Rabou. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/4352320098123215 Sea Turtles 911. Loggerhead Sea Turtle. http://www.seaturtles911.org/turtle/loggerhead.htm Sella, I. (1982). Sea turtles in the eastern Mediterranean and northern Red Sea, p.

417-423. In: Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles (K. A. Bjorndal, ed.).

Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. Sherlock, Ruth (04.09.2020). The Coronavirus Crisis: On Beaches Quieted by The Pandemic, Lebanon Sees Sea Turtle Boom. npr. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-liveupdates/2020/09/04/898613972/on-beaches-quieted-by-the-pandemic-lebanonsees-sea-turtle-boom Silberstein, D. (1988). The physical conditions prevailing in nests of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and their effect on egg development.

Master of Science thesis, Dept. of Zool., Tel Aviv University. 71 pp. (in Hebrew with English summary).

Silberstein, Dalia and Razi Dmi'el (1991). Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting in Israel. Marine Turtle Newsletter 53:17-18, 1991. http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn53/mtn53p17.shtml Soffer, A. (1988). Sea turtles nesting in Haifa - Caesarea beach. Nature Reserves Authority, Jerusalem, Israel. 31 pp. (in Hebrew).

Way, Roni (23.07.2021). Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea – Israel Nature. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz6khLStp8E Wikipedia. Loggerhead Sea Turtle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loggerhead_sea_turtle Wikipedia. Unechte Karettschildkröte. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unechte_Karettschildkr%C3%B6te Wikipedia. ‫ ﺳﻠﺤﻔﺎة ﺑﺤﺮﯾﺔ ﺿﺨﻤﺔ اﻟﺮأس‬. https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%A7% D8%A9_%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%B6%D8%AE%D 9%85%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A3%D8%B3

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School children watching as volunteers of the Israeli Sea Turtle Rescue Centre and releasing a Loggerhead Sea Turtle back into the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday 21.11.2013 in Khirbat Al-Zababida (Ga’ash), Central of Occupied Palestine. Photo: Uriel Sinai, Getty Images. http://blogs.ft.com/photo-diary/files/2013/11/TURTLE.jpg

(19.05.2010) ‫اﻷﻣواج ﺗﻘذف ﺳﻠﺣﻔﺎة ﺑﺣر ﺑطول ﻣﺗر ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﺊ ﺑﺣر ﯾﺎﻓﺎ‬ http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=285623 (20.07.2012) ‫اﻟﻌﺛور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻠﺣﻔﺎة ﺑﺣرﯾﺔ ﺿﺧﻣﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﻰء ﯾﺎﻓﺎ‬ ‫ﻣن ﺣﺳﯾن اﻟﻌﺑرة ﻣراﺳل ﻣوﻗﻊ ﺑﺎﻧﯾت وﺻﺣﯾﻔﺔ ﺑﺎﻧوراﻣﺎ‬ http://www.panet.co.il/online/articles/1/2/S-571852,1,2.html (20.07.2012) ‫اﻟﻌﺛور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻠﺣﻔﺎة ﺑﺣرﯾﺔ ﺿﺧﻣﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﻰء ﯾﺎﻓﺎ‬ http://yoomyoom.com/News-72 (08.08.2013) ‫اﻟﻌﺛور ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻠﺣﻔﺎة ﺑﺣرﯾﺔ ﻛﺑﯾرة ﻣﯾﺗﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﺊ ﺑﺣر ﯾﺎﻓﺎ‬ http://yomnet.net/Show.php?page=News&id=23766 (10.08.2013) ‫ اﻷﻣواج ﺗﻘذف ﺳﻠﺣﻔﺎة ﺑﺣرﯾﺔ ﺿﺧﻣﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺎطﺊ ﻧﺎﺧوم ﺟوﻟدﻣﺎن‬:‫ﺑﺎﻟﺻور‬ http://www.yaffa48.com/?mod=articles&ID=10730

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‫أھم اﻟزواﺣف ﻓﻲ ﻓﻠﺳطﯾن‬ http://www.wafainfo.ps/atemplate.aspx?id=2381 . (04.04.2008) ‫ﺳﻛﺎن ﻏزة ﯾﺄﻛﻠون ﺳﻠﺣﻔﺎة ﻣﮭددة ﺑﺎﻹﻧﻘراض‬ https://www.reuters.com/article/oegin-pal-gaza-turtle-ah7idARAEGO45325720080404 ‫ ﻧورﻣﺎن )ﻧﻌﻣﺎن( ﻋﻠﻲ ﺑﺳﺎم ﺧﻠف اﻟﯾﺎﻓﺎوي‬.‫د‬.‫ أ‬: ‫ ﺣﯾواﻧﺎت ﻓﻠﺳطﯾن ﺑﻘﻠم‬. ‫وﯾﻛﯾﺑﯾدﯾﺎ‬ http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8 %A7%D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86

Scientists For Palestine. https://www.facebook.com/Scientists4Palestine

َ ‫اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻤﯿﻦ‬ ‫واﻟﺤﻤ ُﺪ �ِ رب‬

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