Reproductive biology of Atlantic leatherback sea turtles at Sandy Point, St. Croix: the first 30 years
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Published source details
Garner J.A., MacKenzie D.S. & Gatlin D. (2017) Reproductive biology of Atlantic leatherback sea turtles at Sandy Point, St. Croix: the first 30 years. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 16, 29-43.
Published source details Garner J.A., MacKenzie D.S. & Gatlin D. (2017) Reproductive biology of Atlantic leatherback sea turtles at Sandy Point, St. Croix: the first 30 years. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 16, 29-43.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles Action Link |
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Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles
A replicated, controlled study in 1982–2010 on a sandy beach in St Croix, US Virgin Islands (Garner et al. 2017; continuation of Boulon et al. 1996) found that relocated leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea nests had lower hatching success than nests left in situ in 26 of 29 years. In 1982–1994, hatching success was lower in relocated nests (51–69%) compared to undisturbed nests (57–76%) in 10 of 13 years (result not tested statistically). In 1995–2010, hatching success was lower in relocated nests (37–66%) than nests left in situ (43–69%) every year. In 1982–2010, all nests in erosion-prone areas were relocated to stable parts of the beach immediately after laying. The beach was patrolled hourly between 20:00–05:00 h every night from 1 April until no new nests had been discovered for 10 days. Nests were excavated several days following emergence to record hatching success.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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