Critical Habitats of Sea Turtles in Fiji

Transcription

1 Cat Holloway / WWF-Canon Fiji Science Conference 2011 Critical Habitats of Sea Turtles in Fiji Merewalesi Laveti 1, Penina Solomona 1, Aisake Batibasaga 2, Neema Nand 3, Kasaqa Tora 4 1 WWF South Pacific Programme 2 Fiji Department of Fisheries 3 Department of Environment 4 National Trust of Fiji Presentation to Company name 12-Sep-11 / 1

2 Abstract Fiji waters is known to be a critical habitat for foraging sea turtles population in the Pacific region. Recent surveys by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme on satellite tagging revealed the migration of sea turtles to Fiji waters for feeding. Areas of importance for sea turtle conservation in Fiji were identified through community based sea turtle monitoring and research, traditional knowledge and consultation with partners who have worked in these areas. The collated information were consolidated and mapped out revealing these critical habitats for protection. The great sea reef is one of the critical foraging sites identified given the results of the satellite telemetry in Fiji. It also highlighted that Fiji s sea turtle population are residential. More satellite telemetry works needed to be conducted to allow for a stronger justification of the migrating behavior of sea turtles in Fiji. All the seven satellite tagged turtles in Fiji did not show any migration out of Fiji. The migration patterns of the seven turtle species including loggerhead, green and hawksbill were mainly movements within inshore waters of more than one customary fishing grounds. It also showed the ecological connectivity of these marine protected areas and the greater need to enhance community based conservation and engagement in sea turtle monitoring to allow for an informed decision in the protection of sea turtles. Presentation to Fiji Science Forum Sep 2011

3 Topic: Critical habitats for sea turtle in Fiji Fiji Science Forum 2011 Introduction Five out of the seven species of sea turtles found in the Pacific are recorded in Fiji waters. These are Green turtles, Chelonia mydas, Hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, Loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, Leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea Sea turtles are known to be migratory and can travel thousands of miles for feeding or nesting in other region Sea turtles are listed as endangered and critically endangered under the IUCN red listing Sea turtles return to natal beach for nesting Sea turtles are protected under the Turtle Moratorium and Endangered and Species Protected Act Sep 2011

4 Presentation title can go here Secondary text can run underneath Objectives This study aims to: 1. Identify through the integration of scientific research and traditional knowledge the critical habitats of sea turtles in Fiji 2. Illustrate critical habitats via mapping 2. Recommend the identified priority areas for conservation focus and management in Fiji Presentation to Company name 12-Sep-11 / 4

5 Fiji Science Forum 2011 Methodology I. Consultation with key informants II. III. IV. Resource mapping Nesting beach surveys Satellite telemetry research V. Arch GIS mapping Presentation to Company name 12-Sep-11 / 5

6 Fiji Science Forum Consultations with key informants & GIS mapping 3.1. Local communities/resource managers 3.2. Stakeholders/Partners 3.3 Resource mapping mapping of traditional knowledge on critical habitats of sea turtles and its estimated nesting/feeding patterns Presentation to Company name 13-Sep-11 / 6

7 Fiji Science Conference 1. Nesting beach surveys I. Patrolling nesting beaches II. III. Recording of number of nests, number of hatchlings, empty eggshells Beach profile measurements of beach width, length, elevation, GPS location Presentation to Company name Sep 2011

8 Fiji Science Forum Tag and Release (Satellite telemetry) I. Radio transmitters that are attached to carapace (shells) II. III. Nesting female are targeted due to migratory behavior Signals are transmitted to satellites within certain time interval. Information generated are: location, dive times and other parameters 12-Sep-11 / 8

9 Fiji Science Forum RESULTS Presentation to Company name 13-Sep-11 / 9

10 Fiji Science Forum Results Presentation to Company name 13-Sep-11 / 10

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14 Discussion/Conclusion I. All nesting and breeding sites are important for conservation management of sea turtles in Fiji II. Maps/recent results showed that the Great Sea Reef is an highly important feeding/breeding ground for sea turtles (Loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles) III. Sea turtles migration pattern showed residential behavior IV. Sea turtles migration pattern are more likely to be inshore rather offshore. V. Sea turtles migration patterns showed ecological connectivity between customary fishing grounds or marine protected areas. VI. Future studies on genetics are needed to unveil specific research questions on population Presentation to Company name 13-Sep-11 / 14

15 Fiji Science Forum Acknowledgement Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, National Trust of Fiji, Fiji Department of Fisheries, Fiji locally managed marine area (FLMMA), University of the South Pacific, local communities along the Bua and Macuata Provinces Presentation to Company name 13-Sep-11 / 15

16 Thank you Presentation to Company name 12-Sep-11 / 16

17 Critical Habitats of Sea turtles in Fiji WWF IN SHORT +100 WWF is in over 100 countries, on 5 continents +5,000 WWF has over 5,000 staff worldwide 1961 WWF was founded In M WWF has over 5 million supporters Photo: NASA

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