Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) - collection, incubation and hatching of eggs from natural rookeries

Published source details Simon M.H. (1975) Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) - collection, incubation and hatching of eggs from natural rookeries. Journal of Zoology, 176, 39-48.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Sea turtles Action Link

Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Sea turtles

A replicated study in 1971–1973 of turtle eggs collected from Surinam, Ascension Island and Costa Rica (Simon 1975) found that at least half of green turtle Chelonia mydas eggs that were relocated and artificially incubated hatched successfully over three years. In the first year, 14,346 of 30,000 (48%) green turtle eggs hatched successfully. In the second year, 34,527 of 61,257 (56%) green turtle eggs hatched successfully. In the third year, 76,024 of 97,312 (78%) green turtle eggs hatched successfully. In 1971–1973, seven batches of green turtle eggs (14,803–63,404 eggs/batch, 1–3 batches/year) were collected from Surinam (3 batches), Ascension Island (2 batches) and Costa Rica (2 batches), placed in Styrofoam incubation boxes with sand (approximately 88 eggs/box) and relocated to open-sided wooden shelters at a turtle farm on Grand Cayman. The top layer of sand inside the boxes was periodically moistened with water and was removed 3–5 days before hatching was expected. Numbers of infertile eggs, unviable and viable hatchlings were recorded after hatchlings had emerged.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)