Tracking turtles: where do they live, love, rest, nest
December 15, 2008
During the early years, reconnaissance was carried out of nesting beaches and foraging areas in the province and extensive interviews were made with fishermen and residents
The project "Ecology and Migrations of Marine Turtles of Bocas del Toro Province, Panama" has been conducted since 1979 by STRI research associates Peter Meylan (in the photo), from Eckerd College and Anne Meylan, from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
During the early years, reconnaissance was carried out of nesting beaches and foraging areas in the province and extensive interviews were made with fishermen and residents.
Early surveys revealed the importance of this region for four sea turtle species at multiple life history stages. The discovery of spongivory as the primary feeding habit of hawksbills was based in part on this early fieldwork.
In 1987, in-water studies began, first at Secretary on the Valiente Peninsula, and then at the Zapatilla Cays in the Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. At both sites, turtles were captured with nets, measured, tagged and released.
Studies focus on various life history stages of green turtles, hawksbills and loggerheads. Data have been collected on reproductive biology (including studies via laparoscopy), genetic identity, and migratory movements.
Several hundred turtles have been flipper-tagged and nine tagged with satellite transmitters to determine routes of travel and resident feeding grounds. Nest surveys carried out as part of the project on the Zapatilla Cays since 1990 have documented the importance of these beaches for hawksbill nesting.
A new effort with many collaborators to recover hawksbill nesting populations has started: Hawksbill Turtle Research and Population Recovery at Chiriqui Beach, Escudo de Veraguas, Ñö Kribo region, Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca, and Bastimentos Island National Marine Park.
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