Honu : our turtle tracked by satellites...... Te mana o te moana supported by NOAA in its turtle research programs....(may 17 th 2011) Amongst the numerous research programs on sea turtles conducted by the association te mana o te moana, the new one consists in green turtle monitoring by satellites. With technical and financial support from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Dr. George Balazs of Hawaii (Marine Turtle Research Program NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service) who has obtained the necessary authorizations from the Direction of Environment, the association has been able to tag five green turtles with satellite transmitters and is now collecting vital information about their movements. Tini the first turtle was marked by Dr. Balazs himself after the first Symposium on Marine Turtles on October 28 th 2011. This turtle was on sale at the roadside of Moorea for the consumption of its meat (44 cm curved carapace length and 10kg of weight). After a short stay at the sea turtle clinic in Moorea to heal wounds, she was released off Opunohu Bay by international specialists from the Symposium (Dr. Milani Chalupka, Lui Bell, Stephane Ciccione, Dr Colin Limpus, Dr Françoise Claro, Dr. George Balazs). She gave signals during 81 days on a journey leading her on the southwest coast of Tahiti, then no more news... until now.
The other 4 female turtles are green turtles coming to nest on the atoll of Tetiaroa. The association has established on the atoll, with private funding, a scientific program to monitor nesting and emergence of baby turtles since 2005 with the support of the Brando family, Pacific Beachcomber SC Brando Enterprise, the Association Conservation Tetiaroa, and the association Planet Urgences. The markings were made up by the marine biologist Nicolas Leclerc, a member of the association te mana o te moana, using the technique taught by Dr. Balazs (fixation with polyester resin). The first named by the Eco volunteers of Planet Urgences Vahinery Missy (140 kilos and140 cm carapace length, Argos 50 159) was marked with a satellite tag November 18 th, 2010 (nest on Onetahi motu). Two iconel tags were fixed on her front flippers (tags
974 and 975). In 115 days, she has traveled 3,500 kilometers to reach Fiji. Her path has stopped around the island of Viti Levu, probably in search of a good feeding ground. Dr. Balazs regularly inform our colleagues in the South Pacific to share this valuable data in the framework of regional conservation plan for marine turtles and SPREP (South Pacific Regional Environment). The second one Vaea ( 122 kilos, 104 cm CCL) was marked on December 16th 2010 (nest on Onetahi motu). Two iconel tags were fixed on her front flippers (tags 966 and 967). In 54 days, she has remained around the atoll of Tetiaroa then stopped sending signals while she was on the east coast of this atoll (technical problem on the tag? Poached turtle?... Same issues for Tini)
The third named Maruia by George Balazs (100 kilos and 97 cm carapace length, Argos 53 789) was marked February 9 th, 2011 (nest on Tiaraunu motu). Two iconel tags were fixed on her front flippers (tags 973 and 969). In 42 days, she has traveled a straight course to the Fidjian Islands and has stopped transmitting there. The fourth named Vaimiti by Nicolas Leclerc (98 kilos and 95 cm carapace length, Argos 53 762) was marked March 3rd, 2011 (nest on Tiaraunu motu). Two rings were fixed on her front flippers (tags 896 and 110). In 26 days she has traveled a straight course very similar to Maruia, reached the Cook Islands, went south to Niue and is curretly continuing to Fidji.
These satellite transmitters are giving us crucial information on green females migration. The association te mana o te moana and scientists who collaborate in its activities for the conservation of sea turtles would like to thank Dr. George Balazs for his help and support in this project. Other projects are underway to better understand the migration of females laying eggs in other Polynesian archipelagos, as well as the migration of mating males. Any observation of sea turtles is important to our database: contact us at 689 715 344 or at temanaotemoana@gmail.com
Moorea sea turtle clinic, authorized by ministerial order, has been active since 2004 and has already treated more than 200 turtles. It is managed by the association Te Mana o te moana, recognized General Interest, a member of the French committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is accredited in environment. Its godfathers are Jean Michel Cousteau, from Ocean Futures Society, and Jean Francois Clervoy French astronaut a top level defender of the environment. This place is currently the only Clinic for marine turtles in French Polynesia which is administered by a veterinarian and ecology PhD : Dr. Cecile Gaspar, IUCN marine turtle expert. The clinic welcomes turtles from all Polynesian archipelagos and covers all travel expenses. It has so far released over 72 rehabilitated turtles. Only turtles in need of care or medical supervision are present, the center is not a tourist park and it is obvious that swimming with the turtles is strictly prohibited!
His new infrastructure has been financed entirely by the group Beachcomber Pacific SC and current operating costs are covered by private donations or local and international institutions, (Anneberg Foundation, Moorea Dolphin Center, Fondation Nicolas Hulot, Tahiti Legends, Schmitgall Nature and Discoveries, Planet Urgences,...) without any assistance from the Ministry of Environment of French Polynesia. The veterinary acts are volunteers. The association also offers structured educational programs on sea turtles in elementary schools in French Polynesia and more than 32,000 schools have been allowed in 6 years. It is also developing a monitoring network of marine turtles in order to establish a database in partnership with other associations or local institutions including the CRIOBE Moorea and research programs for better evaluation of turtle populations frequenting our reef drop offs (with support from Conservation International and the Ministry of Ecology in Paris). For information on sea turtles in need of care or any observations to report, the association can be contacted 24 hours: Matthieu Petit: 689 715 344, Dr Cecile Gaspar: 689 70 60 66 or at our email : temanaotemoana@gmail.com Our web site: www.temanaotemoana.org