A satellite tagged Green Turtle has migrated an impressive 3979 kilometers from its breeding grounds in the Chagos Archipelago to its foraging grounds in Somalia on the east coast of Africa. This is the longest recorded migration for an adult cheloniid turtle. A total of eight of Green Turtles were tagged during their nesting on the beaches of the British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Protected Area in 2012 and after analysis of the data from the resulting tracks new insights have been gained into the importance of this marine reserve. It highlights how valuable the area is as a haven for endangered turtles during their most vulnerable nesting period. One of the turtles remained within the MPA to forage in an area of the Chagos Bank. However it also indicates how more work still needs to be done to ensure these and other migratory species can find refuge throughout their arduous treks across the world’s oceans. To read the full paper please follow this link

The satellite tagging team at work to secure a tag.

Successful tag attachment!

A tagged turtle makes it’s way back to the sea after tagging.