Satellite Telemetry of Loggerhead Sea Turtle Movement in the Georgia Bight

Abstract

The movements of eight female loggerhead sea turtles in the Georgia Bight were monitored, using transmitters compatible with the NASA Nimbus 6 Satellite. The tracking sessions, lasting from as little as 14 hours to more than 34 days, were conducted between 1 June-14 July 1979, and 15 June-23 July 1980. The observations clearly demonstrate that satellite telemetry is a viable technique for monitoring the movements of larger marine turtles. The data collected during these two years suggest that the behavior of female loggerhead sea turtles is rather stereotypic between nesting attempts. Following nesting on Cumberland Island National Sea shore, Georgia, the turtles swam in a northerly direction and entered the estuarine waters behind the island. After one to three days, the turtles then left the estuary for the open seas of the Georgia Bight. They did not wander randomly while at sea, prior to renesting, but moved directly to small, isolated areas of stable substrate that may represent concentrated patches of abundant prey.