SWFSC juvenile loggerhead sea turtle tracking 2002-2005

Peter Dutton; George Balazs; George Balazs

doi:10.15468/3m5jbk

SWFSC juvenile loggerhead sea turtle tracking 2002-2005

Citation

Dutton, P. and G. Balazs. 2014. SWFSC juvenile loggerhead sea turtle tracking 2002-2005. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/758) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/3m5jbk accessed via GBIF.org on 2022-05-20.

Description

Original provider: NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Dataset credits: NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Abstract: Satellite telemetry data from 17 juvenile loggerhead turtles (43.5-66.5 cm straight carapace length) were used in conjunction with oceanographic data to analyze the influence of regional and seasonal oceanography on dive behavior in the North Pacific Ocean. Combined dive behavior for all individuals showed that turtles spent more than 80% of their time at 0-5 m depths, and more than 90% of their time at 0-15 m depths. Multivariate classifications of dive data revealed four major dive types, three representing deeper, longer dives, and one representing shallower dives shorter in duration. Turtles exhibited variability in these dive types across oceanographic regions, with deeper, longer dives in the Hawaii longline swordfish fishing grounds during the first quarter of the year, as well as in the Kuroshio Extension Bifurcation Region and the region near the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Turtles in the Kuroshio Extension Bifurcation Region also exhibited dive variability associated with mesoscale eddy features, with turtles making deeper, longer dives while associated with the strongest total kinetic energy. Turtles in the central North Pacific exhibited seasonality in dive behavior that appeared to reflect synchronous latitudinal movements with the North Pacific Subtropical Front and the associated seasonal, large-scale oceanography. Turtles made deeper, longer dives during the first quarter of the year within this region, the reported time and area where the highest loggerhead bycatch occurs by the longline fishery. These results represent the first comprehensive study of dive data for this species in this region. The increased understanding of juvenile loggerhead dive behavior and the influences of oceanography on dive variability should provide further insight into why interactions with longline fisheries occur and suggest methods for reducing the bycatch of this threatened species. Purpose: These results will aid in our understanding of juvenile loggerhead dive behavior during their oceanic phase. An increased understanding of potential effects of oceanography on loggerhead dive behavior should assist in future conservation and bycatch studies working toward the reduction of loggerheads by longline fisheries in the North Pacific.

Purpose

These results will aid in our understanding of juvenile loggerhead dive behavior during their oceanic phase. An increased understanding of potential effects of oceanography on loggerhead dive behavior should assist in future conservation and bycatch studies working toward the reduction of loggerheads by longline fisheries in the North Pacific.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

NA

Sampling

NA

Method steps

NA

Additional info

marine, harvested by iOBIS

Taxonomic Coverages

Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Caretta caretta
common name: Loggerhead Sea Turtle rank: species

Geographic Coverages

Oceans

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Peter Dutton
originator
position: Primary contact
NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center
email: Peter.Dutton@noaa.gov

George Balazs
originator
position: Secondary contact
NOAA Pacific Islands Science Center
email: itsahonuworldinhawaii@hotmail.com

OBIS-SEAMAP
metadata author
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: https://seamap.env.duke.edu

OBIS-SEAMAP
distributor
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: https://seamap.env.duke.edu

Peter Dutton
owner
position: Primary contact
NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center
email: Peter.Dutton@noaa.gov

George Balazs
originator
position: Secondary contact
NOAA Pacific Islands Science Center
email: itsahonuworldinhawaii@hotmail.com

Peter Dutton
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center
email: Peter.Dutton@noaa.gov