Articles of Interest: |
9 Juvenile Turtles Released See Video Taken of the Release by Dennis Time of Release 1800-1830 h on 11/04/07 22 degrees 16.7' N 159 degrees 48.7' W (6000 ft water) Second Set of Charts of Turtle Locations (as of 3/14/08) Freestyle Ocean Cruising with Hawaiian Sea Turtles - 11/1/07
Sea turtles are threatened and endangered species worldwide. Fortunately in Hawaii the native green sea turtle, known as " honu " in the Hawaiian language, has experienced an encouraging increase in numbers during recent years. Hawaii's conservation and research programs for sea turtles have been highly successful. Studies have resulted in an improved understanding of how sea turtles live their lives and what steps are needed to effectively protect them. However, one of the remaining unsolved mysteries is where and how small turtles live in the open ocean. From a newly born hatchling to about four years of age, green sea turtles live far from land. When older and larger they live in shallow water close to shore. To solve this puzzle a unique project is being conducted by NOAA Fisheries and the Hawaii Preparatory Academy in partnership with NCL America and Sea Life Park/Dolphin Discovery. Captive-bred one year old green sea turtles are being released into the open ocean carrying miniature radio transmitters. Signals sent to orbiting satellites will reveal the turtles' movements for 4-6 months until the batteries run out. Information on oceanographic features will be combined with trackings of the turtles to learn about their life away from land. The nine yearling turtles for this study were released on Sunday afternoon, November 4, 2007 off the north shore of Kauai.
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