Sea turtles in the major sea current systemsSea turtles in the major sea current systems
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Project leader: Senior Researcher Rune Dietz, cand.scient. (M.Sc.)
Rikke Danø, cand. scient. (M.Sc.)
Jesper Møller, cand. scient. (M.Sc.)
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There are seven species of sea turtle, which are all classified as globally endangered species. In the course of the past ten years, their numbers have fallen dramatically as a consequence of human activities that have an impact on every part of their life cycle. Sea turtles are found in all the World’s oceans in tropical and subtropical areas. Especially the loggerhead sea turtle (caretta), the green turtle and the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle spend the first many years of their life cycle in the great ocean current systems of both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Many of these migration routes have never been explored.
The species mentioned above are known to migrate across vast distances. Their possibilities for survival depend on the protection of their vast marine habitats. Along the routes of their long migration, the sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to commercial long line and drift net fishing. These types of fishing are often carried out along front systems in the oceans where the great ocean currents converge. An unknown number of sea turtles are caught as by-catch. Most of these turtles die or become seriously injured. In order to draw up improved preservation strategies, it is necessary to have knowledge of their entire life cycle and migration routes.
By means of satellite telemetry, we wish to research the migration patterns of young sea turtles in the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The research aims to discover critical habitats like feeding grounds, breeding areas and migration routes for the different species and age groups of sea turtles. The Galathea 3 expedition will offer a unique opportunity for capturing sea turtles at a stage in their lives which we would otherwise have great difficulty in capturing.
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