AMA-ST-BYC-MR ? SeaTurtlesBycatch: The accidental catch data for the Portuguese longline fleet operating in the waters of the Azores shall intermittently compile as from 2008. Since 2015, the Azores fisheries have been continuously monitored as part of the COSTA project (Consolidating Sea Turtle conservation in the Azores). Within the Azores EEZ, the activity of the Portuguese fleet and the accidental catch of the common loggerhead show a pronounced, but asynchronous, pattern. The coverage of the on-board observers is not fully representative of the fishing effort and therefore the data since 2008 have been pooled. The nominal average of the rate of accidental catch between 2008 and 2018 within the EEZ was 0,17 ± 0,55 tartarugas/1000 hooks (257 sets, 269.426 hooks). The mortality caused by hooks (?ferried turtles?) or post-catching was 17 %, with 15 % of those being additionally recovered under weak conditions (MISIC SERAS II Consortium, 2018). There is no estimate for the Portuguese fishery but it is likely that post-release mortality will be relevant, considering the rates recorded in other North EEUU fisheries: 28 % ? CI 16-52 %, Swimmer et al., 2013). An estimation of the mortality rate for incidental capture could not be estimated, as the effort data of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets were not yet available for the period 2012-2018 and the estimated abundance for the region was still preliminary (MISTIC EESE II Consortium, 2018). The incidental catch of the North Atlantic is likely to be one of the main threats to juvenile sea turtles, although much of the fishing pressure is carried out outside the national jurisdiction. The rate of mortality due to interactions with fisheries is proposed to replace the catch mortality rate by catch in order to assess this criterion. For this purpose, the catch mortality should be estimated as well as post-release mortality (e.g. Swimmer et al., 2013). JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/S

AMA-ST-ABU-DS ? SeaTurtlesAbdateDistress: 46 turtles together were found during the OPIC SECO II ocean campaign campaign. The number of sightings of turtles did not allow the spatial analysis to be carried out for the calculation of the abundance in the Azores and, therefore, only an estimate is made on the basis of the experimental design. Total abundance estimation is 5.187 (95 % JI

AMA-PT-Z_DEM_BCI ? SeaTurtlesBodyConditionIndex Corporate Condition Index (BCI) The demographic parameter of the population considered for assessing sea turtles under this criterion is the Body Condition Index. This characteristic provides information on health and pressures affecting the population. Data are collected in sampling campaigns for this purpose. The Body Conditions Index is an animal health indicator and is based on a ratio of reference longitude. The body condition index for sea turtles was traditionally obtained by means of the formula: BCI

The distribution area is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). This criterion is not considered appropriate for oceanic sea turtles which demonstrate broad distribution limits and only a fraction of their distribution is included within areas under national jurisdiction and which generally occur at low stocking densities. Therefore, setting values and interpreting trends in distribution seems unrealistic. The range may be used to monitor abundance (D1C2) as referred to in previous MISTIC SEAS reports (2016a). JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2.

Habitat for species is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). This criterion is not considered appropriate for ocean turtles. Only a fraction of its habitat is included in areas under the jurisdiction of the countries of the European Union and generally occurs at low stocking densities. Establishing benchmarks and interpreting trends in the habitat appears therefore to be unrealistic. An assessment of the habitat condition requires an appropriate mapping, either in distance to the coast or in depth, and an integrated understanding of the state of the associated communities and species. Additional efforts for a coherent classification of marine habitats, supported by an appropriate mapping, are essential for a habitat assessment, taking into account variations over the gradient of coast and depth (coastal, platform and deep-sea habitat). The extent and quality of the Azores Sea habitat does not seem to limit the fact that the sea turtles reach GES, but this functional group does not fall within the very definition of the criterion, as their life cycle does not entirely take place in the sub-division of the Azores, namely reproduction takes place outside the biogeographical region of Macaronesia and the waters of the European Union. JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

D1C1 By-catch mortality rate (BR ? bycatch rate) The mortality rate by acccess is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Directive 2017/845/EC, 2017). Incidental catching by fishing is one of the main anthropogenic pressures affecting sea turtle populations, which is one of the main causes of anthropogenic mortality (Lewison, 2007). The rate of mortality due to interactions with fisheries is proposed to replace the catch mortality rate by catch in order to assess this criterion. For this purpose, the catch mortality should be estimated as well as post-release mortality (e.g. Swimmer et al., 2013). The incidental catch of the North Atlantic is likely to be one of the main threats to juvenile sea turtles, although much of the fishing pressure is carried out outside the national jurisdiction. MISIC AS II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

The abundance of the population is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). Juvenile turtles form groupings in the archipelagos of Macaronesia, but these animals originate from American and African spawning beaches. The variation in hatching success has an influence on the population increase in juvenile fish feeding areas in Macaronesia. This increase affects the genetic composition of these aggregations. Therefore, these two factors should be taken into account when interpreting the results of abundance. Additionally, studies should be carried out to provide data to verify whether changes in distribution area and pattern have influenced observed abundance trends (e.g. via satellite telemetry). JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

D1C3 Population demographics Demographic characteristics of the population are a secondary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). Corporate Condition Index (BCI) The demographic parameter of the population considered for assessing sea turtles under this criterion is the Body Condition Index. This characteristic provides information on health and pressures affecting the population. Data are collected in sampling campaigns for this purpose. The Body Conditions Index is an animal health indicator and is based on a ratio of reference longitude. The body condition index for sea turtles was traditionally obtained by means of the formula: BCI

The distribution area is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). This criterion is not considered appropriate for oceanic sea turtles which demonstrate broad distribution limits and only a fraction of their distribution is included within areas under national jurisdiction and which generally occur at low stocking densities. Therefore, setting values and interpreting trends in distribution seems unrealistic. The range may be used to monitor abundance (D1C2) as referred to in previous MISTIC SEAS reports (2016a). JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2.

Habitat for species is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). This criterion is not considered appropriate for ocean turtles. Only a fraction of its habitat is included in areas under the jurisdiction of the countries of the European Union and generally occurs at low stocking densities. Establishing benchmarks and interpreting trends in the habitat appears therefore to be unrealistic. An assessment of the habitat condition requires an appropriate mapping, either in distance to the coast or in depth, and an integrated understanding of the state of the associated communities and species. Additional efforts for a coherent classification of marine habitats, supported by an appropriate mapping, are essential for a habitat assessment, taking into account variations over the gradient of coast and depth (coastal, platform and deep-sea habitat). The extent and quality of the Azores Sea habitat does not seem to limit the fact that the sea turtles reach GES, but this functional group does not fall within the very definition of the criterion, as their life cycle does not entirely take place in the sub-division of the Azores, namely reproduction takes place outside the biogeographical region of Macaronesia and the waters of the European Union. JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

D1C1 By-catch mortality rate (BR ? bycatch rate) The mortality rate by acccess is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Directive 2017/845/EC, 2017). Incidental catching by fishing is one of the main anthropogenic pressures affecting sea turtle populations, which is one of the main causes of anthropogenic mortality (Lewison, 2007). The rate of mortality due to interactions with fisheries is proposed to replace the catch mortality rate by catch in order to assess this criterion. For this purpose, the catch mortality should be estimated as well as post-release mortality (e.g. Swimmer et al., 2013). The incidental catch of the North Atlantic is likely to be one of the main threats to juvenile sea turtles, although much of the fishing pressure is carried out outside the national jurisdiction. MISIC AS II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

The abundance of the population is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). Juvenile turtles form groupings in the archipelagos of Macaronesia, but these animals originate from American and African spawning beaches. The variation in hatching success has an influence on the population increase in juvenile fish feeding areas in Macaronesia. This increase affects the genetic composition of these aggregations. Therefore, these two factors should be taken into account when interpreting the results of abundance. Additionally, studies should be carried out to provide data to verify whether changes in distribution area and pattern have influenced observed abundance trends (e.g. via satellite telemetry). JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

D1C3 Population demographics Demographic characteristics of the population are a secondary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). Corporate Condition Index (BCI) The demographic parameter of the population considered for assessing sea turtles under this criterion is the Body Condition Index. This characteristic provides information on health and pressures affecting the population. Data are collected in sampling campaigns for this purpose. The Body Conditions Index is an animal health indicator and is based on a ratio of reference longitude. The body condition index for sea turtles was traditionally obtained by means of the formula: BCI

The distribution area is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). This criterion is not considered appropriate for oceanic sea turtles which demonstrate broad distribution limits and only a fraction of their distribution is included within areas under national jurisdiction and which generally occur at low stocking densities. Therefore, setting values and interpreting trends in distribution seems unrealistic. The range may be used to monitor abundance (D1C2) as referred to in previous MISTIC SEAS reports (2016a). JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2.

Habitat for species is a primary criterion for sea turtles (Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, 2017). This criterion is not considered appropriate for ocean turtles. Only a fraction of its habitat is included in areas under the jurisdiction of the countries of the European Union and generally occurs at low stocking densities. Establishing benchmarks and interpreting trends in the habitat appears therefore to be unrealistic. An assessment of the habitat condition requires an appropriate mapping, either in distance to the coast or in depth, and an integrated understanding of the state of the associated communities and species. Additional efforts for a coherent classification of marine habitats, supported by an appropriate mapping, are essential for a habitat assessment, taking into account variations over the gradient of coast and depth (coastal, platform and deep-sea habitat). The extent and quality of the Azores Sea habitat does not seem to limit the fact that the sea turtles reach GES, but this functional group does not fall within the very definition of the criterion, as their life cycle does not entirely take place in the sub-division of the Azores, namely reproduction takes place outside the biogeographical region of Macaronesia and the waters of the European Union. JCC II consortium (2018) Macaronesian Roof Report (TRWP2) ? Applying a sub-regional close and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD. WP2 ? Towards a co-beneficiary update of initial assessment, GES and targets, Task 2.1. Update of the Initial Assessment and Task 2.2. Finding common GES and Environmental Targets for the Macaronesia GA No 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2., Brussels, 132pp

The mortality rate by accessibilities of the common turtles has not yet been assessed in Madeira.

This is the first estimate of abundance of sea turtles in Madeira and therefore established as a reference value for future evaluations.

In order to be able to assess the GES in a reliable manner, further sampling is necessary and the threshold and the reference value must be defined.