Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) by catches on long‐lines: The importance of olfactory stimuli

Abstract In order to reduce sea turtle by‐catches on surface drifting long‐lines during professional swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fishing, the relevance of olfactory stimuli in eliciting predation by loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) was investigated. Choice experiments were run in captivity. Squid‐shaped plastic lures having or lacking scomber odour were presented to 27 specimens (22 immatures and 5 adults). The turtles’ behavioural responses highlighted the importance of chemical clues in eliciting approaching and biting behaviours. This study was carried out within the framework of the EU‐Life Project ‘Urgent conservation measures for C. caretta in the Pelagie islands’ (LIFE 99 NAT/IT/006271).