Movements of East Pacific green turtles nesting in Northwestern Costa Rica

GABRIELA BLANCO; STEPHEN J. MORREALE; FRANK V. PALADINO; JAMES R. SPOTILA

Beijin, China

Congreso; 23rd Annual Meeting & 2009 International Congress for Conservation Biology; 2009

SCB y Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is an important nesting site for the endangered east Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas). We analyzed the migration and internesting movements of eastern pacific green turtles using satellite telemetry. We attached satellite transmitters to turtles after nesting on Nombre de Jesús and Zapotillal beaches, Northwest Costa Rica. Movements of turtles during the internesting period were variable. Some turtles traveled to the Gulf of Papagayo, 25 km north of the nesting site, while others stayed in the vicinity of the nesting beach. During migration, turtles followed different routes. Some turtles migrated north, crossing waters of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, while others migrated south to the Gulf of Panama. Additionally, we identified threats that require urgent attention such as poaching of eggs and artisanal fisheries which operate in the areas of the nesting beaches. Two thirds of transmitters were removed from turtles during the nesting season and we observed many turtles caught on longlines in the area. More research is needed to understand the migration of eastern Pacific green turtles. Our findings suggest that turtles are moving north and south to explore potential foraging areas. By determining ?hot spots? for this species we can develop a conservation plan to protect their migration routes as well as their nesting and foraging areas.