18-Years of green sea turtle monitoring on Tetiaroa atoll in French Polynesia: key results and paths to the future?

Since 2006, the Te mana o te moana foundation has been monitoring a unique green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting site at Tetiaroa Atoll in French Polynesia. This presentation will highlight key findings from this long-term research and outline upcoming research initiatives.

 

Key results include:

• Nesting Monitoring: Over 7,500 turtle tracks have been recorded, with approximately 3,800 nests identified, and more than 350,000 eggshells counted.
• Female Identification and Tracking: Detailed profiles of over 360 females have been created, documenting their nesting frequency and migratory return routes through satellite tracking.
• Hatchling Predation and Rat Eradication: Crucial insights into local hatchling predation have been gained, especially in the context of rat eradication efforts.
• Beach Profile Changes and Erosion Threats: Changes in beach profiles due to erosion have impacted nesting sites, prompting the development of a re-vegetation project using indigenous plant species.
• Study of Sub-adult Green Turtles in Tetiaroa Lagoon: New research focuses on sub-adult green turtles using acoustic and LoRaWAN tags to better understand their behavior and habitat use in the lagoon.

 

This program is part of a larger, over 20-year study conducted by the French Polynesian government. The findings now contribute to seminars, training, and capacity-building efforts across other Polynesian islands, with a focus on sea turtle nesting inventories supported by a dedicated application developed by our teams of veterinarians and biologists.