Marine Turtle Surveys and Captures in the Mariana Islands

The Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program, together with local partners, conducted marine turtle surveys and in-water captures of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the nearshore waters of Guam and CNMI. Captured turtles were weighed, measured, biopsied, and tagged (i.e., flipper, PIT, satellite tracking) in an effort to expand our knowledge of the population demographics, population structure, and fine-scale habitat use of the turtles. Blood samples were also collected for two studies: 1) hormone analysis to determine population sex ratios, and 2) metabolite analysis to determine nutritional/feeding state. The aforementioned activities were permitted under National Marine Fisheries Service ESA10a1A Take permit #17022, NMFS IACUC SWPI2013-05R, and Guam Department of Agriculture License #SCMPA-17-010. Additionally, Guam DAWR biologists were provided with hands-on training. Local partners in Guam and Saipan continue to be engaged in this collaborative research effort.