Migrations of green turtles in the central South Pacific
Craig P, Parker D, Brainard R, Rice M, Balazs G. 2004. Migrations of green turtles in the central South Pacific. Biological Conservation. 116:433-438
Migrations of seven post-nesting green turtles at Rose Atoll, American Samoa were tracked by satellite transmitters in 1993-1994. Most turtles migrated to foraging area in Fiji. Additional tag recaptures from other studies indicate a common pattern of turtle movement in the central South pacific region. The authors propose that this pattern reflects the lower availability of turtle food east of Fiji where most islands are small, steep and have limited areas suitable for seagrass or algal growth. Whereas Fiji appears to have significant resource of seagrass and algae growth for the green turtles. These turtles apparently spend most of their adult life in Fijian waters, taking only brief migrations to the other island to nest.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Craig, P; Parker, D; Brainard, R; Rice, M; Balazs, G
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- American Samoa, Animal Studies, Chelonia mydas, Migration, Rose Atoll, Sea Turtle, South Pacifc, Threatened/Endangered/Rare Species