Neonate loggerhead dispersal, behavior, and survivorship in the western North Atlantic

The objectives of this project are to use novel satellite tracking methods to provide improved estimation of threats at foraging areas and along migration routes for oceanic stage sea turtles in the Northeast Distant Region of the Atlantic Ocean (NED); and to characterize the in-water habitats used by small, oceanic stage loggerheads (Caretta caretta) so that we better understand the features that likely define their nursery habitats and the potential risks and hazards to the smallest life stages of sea turtle. To accomplish these objectives, our strategy included collaborating with cooperative fishermen in the NED to capture and satellite tag small (<30 cm length) loggerhead sea turtles. Using novel satellite telemetry techniques, we were to identify the fine-scale habitat selection, movements, and dispersal of small oceanic loggerheads in the NED.

Juvenile oceanic developmental and foraging habitats are not defined for any federally protected sea turtle species. This project is determining locations of management concern including small and large scale areas where numerous young turtles are likely to be exposed to harmful anthropogenic interactions in the Northeast Distant Region of the Atlantic Ocean (NED). Scientific information from this project is bridging the gaps in our understanding of early sea turtle life history in order to provide improved estimation of threats at foraging areas and along migration routes for oceanic stage sea turtles in the NED. We are using novel satellite tracking methods to accomplish project goals. This project has provided the first satellite track(s) of wild-caught oceanic stage loggerhead sea turtles.