Sea turtle research partnership

Great news! On July 18th a team of scientists arrived in Boavista, to carry on a very important sea turtle study. This research will be carried out by a partnership between the INDP and University of Kiel, with the collaboration of Turtle Foundation. We are very excited! Original posting from the INDP can be found on the following link (in Portuguese)  http://blogdastartarugas.blogs​.sapo.cv/33358.html

The translation follows: 

Scientific research in partnership with the University of Kiel / INDP
July 18, 2011

In 2011, besides continuing with the collection of genetic data, also during the breeding season of the Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtle or common), six transmitters will be attached to breeding females to follow their migratory route via satalite.

The activity has the funding and scientific support of two experts, Dr. Victor and Dr. Christophe Eizaguirre Stiebens, Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences IFM-GEOMAR in Kiel.

Satellite tagging and oceanographic data will provide knowledge of the regions in which these marine turtles feed and reside between nesting events.

Two main objectives:

1) Contribute to research on the migratory routes of sea turtles during and after the nesting season, the better to establish programs to protect them. Cape Verde hosts the third largest world population of the species C. caretta, but its dynamics remains a mystery. The satellite transmitters will allow monitoring of the species around the islands and also get information about the depth that can be achieved, the feeding grounds, among others.

2) In the context of climate change, there is another emerging threat, with the possible increase of diseases in marine animals caused by global warming, becoming a new challenge of science and survival of sea turtles. The transmitters allow collection of oceanographic information such as the variation of temperature, salinity and oxygen, which are fundamental parameters to increase knowledge about the oceans, therefore, an asset for protection programs and management of marine resources.