mariana island sea turtles

Mariana Island Sea Turtles

BackgroundBackground Populations of sea turtles have been around since the time

of the dinosaurs but their numbers have been drastically reduced since interactions between humans and sea turtles began.

In addition to direct harvest, population declines have more recently been driven by factors such as incidental capture in commercial fisheries, habitat degradation, introduction of feral predators on nesting beaches, and marine pollution.

Populations of sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs but their numbers have been drastically reduced since interactions between humans and sea turtles began.

In addition to direct harvest, population declines have more recently been driven by factors such as incidental capture in commercial fisheries, habitat degradation, introduction of feral predators on nesting beaches, and marine pollution.

Sea turtles are endangered!Sea turtles are endangered! Hawksbill and green

turtles protected in CNMI by law under the Endangered Species Act

Turtles still illegally hunted today at unknown levels

Limited information available on turtles in the CNMI on which to base management decisions and recovery efforts, especially on hawksbills

Hawksbill and green turtles protected in CNMI by law under the Endangered Species Act

Turtles still illegally hunted today at unknown levels

Limited information available on turtles in the CNMI on which to base management decisions and recovery efforts, especially on hawksbills

Photo by: Laura Williams

Near shore Turtles of the Marianas

Near shore Turtles of the Marianas

Green sea turtleChelonia mydas

Haggan betde

Green sea turtleChelonia mydas

Haggan betde

Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata Haggan cari

Hawksbill vs Green TurtleHawksbill vs Green Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

Two pairs of prefrontal scales

Hawksbill Turtle

Two pairs of prefrontal scales

Green Turtle

One pair of prefrontal scales

Green and Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings

Green and Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings

Offshore Turtles of the Marianas

Offshore Turtles of the Marianas

Leatherback turtleDermochelys coriacea

Loggerhead turtleCaretta caretta

Olive Ridley turtleLepidochelys olivacea

Sea turtles are ReptilesWhat does that mean?Sea turtles are ReptilesWhat does that mean?

They breathe air from the water’s surface They are cold-blooded which means they

get their body heat from the environment rather than making their own

Their skin has scales They lay eggs

They breathe air from the water’s surface They are cold-blooded which means they

get their body heat from the environment rather than making their own

Their skin has scales They lay eggs

What do sea turtles eat? It depends on the kind of turtle…

What do sea turtles eat? It depends on the kind of turtle…

Loggerhead vs. LeatherbackLoggerhead vs. Leatherback Some have finely serrated jaws adapted for vegetarian diet

Others have jaws adapted for crushing and grinding

Or they have narrow heads and pointy jaws adapted for getting food out of crevices in coral reefs

While still some have very delicate scissor-like jaws

Some have finely serrated jaws adapted for vegetarian diet

Others have jaws adapted for crushing and grinding

Or they have narrow heads and pointy jaws adapted for getting food out of crevices in coral reefs

While still some have very delicate scissor-like jaws

Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore?

Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore?

Green turtles: algae and seagrass Hawksbills: sponges, shrimps,

and squid Leatherbacks: jellyfish Loggerheads & Ridleys: crabs,

lobsters, jellyfish, & vegetation

Green turtles: algae and seagrass Hawksbills: sponges, shrimps,

and squid Leatherbacks: jellyfish Loggerheads & Ridleys: crabs,

lobsters, jellyfish, & vegetation

Photo by: Peter Bennett

How fast and far can sea turtles swim?How fast and far can sea turtles swim?

Most turtles can swim for short bursts to 20mph, but some green turtles have been clocked up to 35mph!

They can swim for long distances, some travel up to 2500 miles!

Most turtles can swim for short bursts to 20mph, but some green turtles have been clocked up to 35mph!

They can swim for long distances, some travel up to 2500 miles!

How long can sea turtles hold their breath? It depends…

How long can sea turtles hold their breath? It depends…

On their size, adult turtles can hold it for 2 hours while they sleep but when they are active they usually come to the surface every 15-20 minutes

On their size, adult turtles can hold it for 2 hours while they sleep but when they are active they usually come to the surface every 15-20 minutes

On the species, hawksbill turtles can’t hold their breath for as long as leatherback turtles

On the species, hawksbill turtles can’t hold their breath for as long as leatherback turtles

Green Turtle NestingGreen Turtle Nesting

How many eggs do sea turtles lay and what do they look like?

How many eggs do sea turtles lay and what do they look like?

Depending on the kind of turtle they can lay between 100 and 180 eggs per nest @ 3-6 nests per season

They are the size of ping-pong balls (unless you are a leatherback and then they are the size of billiard balls

Depending on the kind of turtle they can lay between 100 and 180 eggs per nest @ 3-6 nests per season

They are the size of ping-pong balls (unless you are a leatherback and then they are the size of billiard balls

They are leathery and flexible (unlike a chicken egg) so when they are dropped into the nest they do not break

They are leathery and flexible (unlike a chicken egg) so when they are dropped into the nest they do not break

Research performed under USFWS permit TE-017352-15

Nest InventoryNest Inventory

Eggs incubate under the sand for 2 months

After they hatch we count the number of hatched and unhatched eggs to calculate the hatch success rate

Eggs incubate under the sand for 2 months

After they hatch we count the number of hatched and unhatched eggs to calculate the hatch success rate

Research performed under USFWS permit TE-017352-15

Research performed under USFWS permit TE-017352-15

Escape from

Predators!

Escape from

Predators!Photo by: Mark Sullivan

Photo by: Mark Sullivan

Photo by: PIFSC/NOAA

Indigenous hand-capture methodIndigenous hand-capture method

Photo by: Lynne Michael  

Photo by: K. Hayashi  

Photo by: K. Hayashi  

Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01

Photo by: K. Hayashi  

Photo by: K. Hayashi  

Photo by: Lynne Michael  

Nearshore TaggingNearshore Tagging

Photo by: Lynne Michael

Flipper taggingFlipper tagging

Return address on tags: SPREP, P.O. Box 240, Apia, Samoa

Photo by: Joe Ruak

Photo by: Joe Ruak

Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01

n = 1500 migration records

PIT tag scanning and applicationPIT tag scanning and application

A Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag is smaller than apenny and isinserted insidethe flipper

It can last up to 75 years and usually remain much longer than metal flipper tags in animals.

Photo by: Lynne Michael

Photo by: Lynne Michael

Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01

Tissue biopsy samplesTissue biopsy samples

Skin samples are taken for DNA lab tests

From this we can tell who CNMI sea turtle’s family members are and what other countries they are from

Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01

Measuring turtle shellsMeasuring turtle shells

Measuring a turtle’s shell length and width

Allows scientists to measure how quickly or slowly a turtle grows between captures

Photo by: Lynne Michael

Photo by: Lynne Michael

Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01

Measuring weight and taking photosMeasuring weight and taking photos

Preparing to measure a turtle’s weight on a scale

Photographing a turtle’s face gives us the turtle’s “fingerprint” each pattern is unique

Photo by: Mark Michael

Photo by: Lynne Michael

Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01

Satellite tagging & trackingSatellite tagging & tracking

Photo by: Shawn Wusstig

Migration routes & recapture locations of sat tagged Guam green turtles

•To learn more about sea turtle movements and behavior.•We have found that turtles travel great distances from foraging grounds to nesting beaches.•Passing through the waters of many countries has highlighted the migratory nature of sea turtles, and the need for the Pacific region to work together to strengthen conservation initiatives.

Why do we satellite tag turtles?

Why do we satellite tag turtles?

Photo by: Shawn Wusstig

Things you can do in your community to help

sea turtles…

Things you can do in your community to help

sea turtles…

Volunteer with TASI Watch (MINA) or get involved with KHS Marine Biology Club!

Myrtle says… dispose of trash properly and walk the beach, don’t drive it

Myrtle says… dispose of trash properly and walk the beach, don’t drive it

Photo by: www.ethicalocean.com

Myrtle says… treat animals with respect: do not crowd, attempt to feed, ride, touch, or harass

Myrtle says…please don’t keep us as pets, we are much happier swimming and eating

in the wide open spaces of the ocean!

Myrtle says…please don’t keep us as pets, we are much happier swimming and eating

in the wide open spaces of the ocean!

Myrtle says…if you find a stranded, sick, or injured turtle call DLNR-DFW, 911 or crime

stoppers at 323-PARA so we can get a doctors help!

Myrtle says…if you find a stranded, sick, or injured turtle call DLNR-DFW, 911 or crime

stoppers at 323-PARA so we can get a doctors help!

I don’t feel well…

Thank you!

Information Resources In Your Library

For More Help!For More Help!

Internet resourcesInternet resourcesVolunteer with Tasi Watch (MINA)

Mariana Islands Sea Turtles

www.ihaggan.com

NOAA Sea Turtles

www.fpir.noaa.gov

Turtle Trax www.turtles.org

International Sea Turtle Society

www.seaturtle.org

Mariana Islands Sea Turtles

www.ihaggan.com

NOAA Sea Turtles

www.fpir.noaa.gov

Turtle Trax www.turtles.org

International Sea Turtle Society

www.seaturtle.org

Report sea turtle strandings:

287-8537 (CTRTLES)287-8537 (CTRTLES)911911

323-PARA323-PARA989-6096 (DLNR)989-6096 (DLNR)