Ecology and Conservation of Marine Turtles in a Central Pacific Foraging Ground

Abstract

Abstract Foraging grounds are critical to the survival of marine turtles, yet studies of these areas lag behind those of nesting sites. Our study represents the first data and discussion on marine turtle distribution, abundance, and health at a marine turtle foraging ground in the central Pacific, Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, which constitutes a regionally important mixed-size-class foraging ground for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and, to a lesser extent, for hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Surveys and anecdotal reports suggest that nesting activity is rare, and we have confirmed the presence of limited suitable nesting habitat. During in-water activities from 2008 to 2011, we caught 211 green turtles ranging from postpelagic juveniles to adults (weight: mean = 44.6 kg, range = 7.2–146.3 kg; curved carapace length (CCL): mean = 69.7 cm, range = 41.0–113.6 cm) and 2 juvenile hawksbills (weight2009 = 16.3 kg, CCL2009 = 57.0; weight2011 = 11.2 kg, CCL2011 = 50.5 cm). ...