Brendan and Jacqui check a tag
Ongoing Monitoring
As a result of being on the Island it was possible to spend time discussing the ongoing monitoring programme carried out by the Ascension Island Turtle Group, staff from the Conservation Department and a number of dedicated volunteers. The many people involved in this work over the years are to be congratulated as it now approaches the completion of the 11th consecutive season. In particular, the tireless work of Jaquie Ellick year after year should be applauded. The numbers clearly show how, after decades of protection in Ascension and in Brazil, that the population is continuing to grow. Ascension is clearly the second largest green turtle nesting colony in the Atlantic. Something of which to be justifiably proud.
Making Links
When baby turtles leave the beaches of Ascension they spend a number of years in the open ocean. Following this, genetic analysis has revealed that, although some settle out into African waters, the majority grow up in the shallow coastal seas off South America; in particular, the waters of Brazil and Uruguay. A very important foraging site in Uruguay is the Marine Protected Area of Cerro Verde where a conservation organisation called Karumbe . Every year, a “Save the Sea Turtle” festival is organised together with local primary school at La Coronilla. In March 2009, the theme was “Where do the turtles come from?” and the children studied the countries of origin of the turtles in their waters as well as taking part in a range of activities (above). For green turtles, one class studied Ascension Island (where 80% of green turtles originate) and have written letters to the children of Two Boats School about their life and Uruguay and the turtles they share. Before we departed the Island, we made a presentation to the junior school about the turtles and the initiative and the children of TBS look forward to receiving the letters from Uruguay and to writing back.
Thanks! We would like to thank all those who helped our stay be productive and enjoyable in particularl the families Ellick, Hobson, Owen and the staff of Conservation, Obsidian (A safe and happy passage home for a fruitful retirement for Shirley).and Two Boats School. The turtle tracking project is collaboration between a consortium of organisations including Ascension Island Conservation, Ascension Island Turtle Group, SEATURTLE.org and the Universities of Exeter (UK), Lund (Sweden), Pisa (Italy) and Swansea (UK).
Brendan Godley (University of Exeter, UK)
Susanne Åkesson (University of Lund, Sweden)
