GPS Tracking Offers Rare Glimpse into the Behaviors of Endangered Hawksbill Turtles

Aquatic life is greatly impacted by the effects of mankind, and the hawksbill sea turtle is no exception. Their population has dropped to 10 percent of what it was a century ago, making the hawksbill the most seriously endangered of all species of sea turtles.

The hawksbill sea turtles live in subtropical waters and they face threats that are nearly impossible for them to avoid, including:

• The illegal trade of their shells
• Beach erosion
• Egg poaching
• Being hunted for their meat
• Development at nesting sites
• Loss of coral reefs

Scientists have been trying to find ways to understand how they can improve the living environment of these sea turtles. In order to do so, having a firm understanding of their habits is vital. Until recently, this has been a difficult task, because the turtles only come to shore every two to seven years, and when they do, its typically in small groups; however, thanks to GPS tracking technology, understanding these turtles and improving their conditions is becoming easier.

The largest rookery of hawksbill sea turtles is located in the Arnavons, a group of four isolated islands in the Solomon Islands, and presently, between 300 and 600 females nest in the area. Scientists in the Arnavon Community Marine Conservation and the Nature Conservancy have tagged ten hawksbill turtles with GPS trackers.

Unfortunately, two of the 10 sea turtles that were tagged were killed by poachers; however, information collected from the eight remaining turtles has shed light on the habits of these turtles.

• They rarely remain in one location, but rather move between two main areas on the Sikopo and Kerehi Kapa Islands. This discovery has lead to the increase in the number of rangers on the islands to improve protection efforts.
• Though they do move between the two islands, the majority of nesting happens on Sikopo Island. Researchers have determined that this is likely because of the recent storm surges and rising sea levels that have eroded the beaches on Kerehi Kapa Island.
• Migration patterns between individual hawksbill sea turtles widely varies. One turtle stayed in the Solomons, others migrated to Australia, and some returned to their home base.

Scientists are hopeful that this data will allow them to increase conservation efforts and improve the outlook of the hawksbill sea turtles.

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