Satellite Tracking of Marine Turtles in Suriname

 WWF Guianas, is currently monitoring the movement of marine turtles in coastal and off-shore waters, especially in the peak of the marine turtle nesting season, in an effort to reduce turtle mortality at sea.  Between March 30^th  – April 01^st , WWF Guianas deployed satellite transmitters on one (1) Leather back marine turtle and three (3) Green turtles nesting on the Babusanti Beach of the Galibi Nature Reserve.  This initiative of WWF Guianas involved WWF marine turtle officers, a biologist from the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, and our conservation partners in Suriname: STINASU (the foundation for nature conservation in Suriname), Nature Conservation Division of the government of Suriname and STIDUNAL (the foundations for sustainable use of natural resources Alusiaka).  

The sandy beaches of the Guianas are nesting sites for at least three of the world’s marine turtle species. These are the giant leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea, the green turtle, Chelonia mydas  and the Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Worldwide, one mayor threat to the survival of marine turtles is fisheries bycatch or the accidental capture of marine turtles in fishing gear.  When marine turtle migrating and foraging activities occur at the same time and place with artisanal and commercial fishing activities, the chance of a marine turtles swimming into  fishing gear is very high. By tracking the movements of turtles at sea, it is possible for fishermen, scientists, government agencies and conservationists to get into dialogue to take action to reduce the risk of accidental capture in fishing nets, hooks, rope and other fishing gear.

How do the transmitters work?

Movement of turtles can be monitored by placing a small transmitter on the back of a marine turtle. This is either attached to the carapace of the turtle with a harness, or directly with glue or metal clips. The transmitters are most often placed on a turtle whilst she is laying her eggs. The placing of the transmitters does not harm the turtle or interfere with nesting. Each time the turtle surfaces to breath, the transmitter gives off signals to satellites orbiting above the earth providing information on the geographic location of the turtle at that moment.  The transmitters will continue to send signals to the satellite for as long as its batteries have life (12-18 months), and the turtle continues to surface. Signals may stop if the transmitter becomes damaged which can occur if it is hit by a boat. Signals can also stop if the turtle remains submerged for an extended period, suggesting that she has died, or the transmitter fell off. Repeated signals will occur when the turtle comes onto a beach to nest. If signals remain constant for more than 2 – 3 hours it is likely that the turtle is floating at sea or the turtle, or the transmitter has washed up on a beach.