Post on 11-Jan-2016
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Sea Turtles in GeorgiaSea Turtles in Georgia
Georgia Department of Natural ResourcesGeorgia Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources DivisionWildlife Resources Division
What is a Sea Turtle?What is a Sea Turtle?
Sea Turtles in Sea Turtles in GeorgiaGeorgia
Loggerhead Sea Loggerhead Sea TurtleTurtle
Most Common Sea Turtle in GeorgiaMost Common Sea Turtle in Georgia Large heads, reddish-yellow in colorLarge heads, reddish-yellow in color Weigh upwards to 300 lbs. Weigh upwards to 300 lbs. Nest on all Georgia barrier IslandsNest on all Georgia barrier Islands Feed primarily on jellyfish, crabs, Feed primarily on jellyfish, crabs,
mollusks and snailsmollusks and snails
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing JourneyThe complex natural history of the Loggerhead Sea The complex natural history of the Loggerhead Sea TurtleTurtle
The Amazing The Amazing JourneyJourney
Females lay their eggs from May through Females lay their eggs from May through AugustAugust
The Amazing The Amazing JourneyJourney
Each nest contains approximately 120 ping-Each nest contains approximately 120 ping-pong ball sized eggs. Females may nest up pong ball sized eggs. Females may nest up
to 7 times each season (Average=4.1)to 7 times each season (Average=4.1)
The Amazing The Amazing JourneyJourney
Hatchlings emerge after sixty days of Hatchlings emerge after sixty days of incubationincubation
The sex of the hatchlings is determined by The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the incubation temperaturethe incubation temperature
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
Threats - Pelagic Longline Fishery Threats - Pelagic Longline Fishery MortalityMortality
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
Juveniles return to Georgia after 8-10 Juveniles return to Georgia after 8-10 yearsyears
Threats - Shrimp Trawl Threats - Shrimp Trawl FisheryFishery
Turtle Excluder Device
Threats - Boat StrikesThreats - Boat Strikes
ThreatsThreats-- PollutionPollution
Threats - Over Harvest of Prey Threats - Over Harvest of Prey SpeciesSpecies
The Amazing JourneyThe Amazing Journey
Return to nest in Georgia after 30-35 years Return to nest in Georgia after 30-35 years at seaat sea
Threats - Loss of Nesting Threats - Loss of Nesting HabitatHabitat
Threats - Artificial LightingThreats - Artificial Lighting
The Amazing The Amazing JourneyJourney
The amazing journey ends where it began The amazing journey ends where it began
Sea Turtle Management in Sea Turtle Management in GeorgiaGeorgia
Twelve sea turtle nesting projects in Twelve sea turtle nesting projects in GeorgiaGeorgia
Loggerhead Nesting in Georgia, 1989-Loggerhead Nesting in Georgia, 1989-20032003
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Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage NetworkNetwork
Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage NetworkNetwork
Protecting Sea TurtlesProtecting Sea Turtles
Satellite TelemetrySatellite Telemetry
What does the future hold for What does the future hold for Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Georgia?Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Georgia?
The long-term data suggests a 1.2% The long-term data suggests a 1.2% annual decline in nesting over 30 years.annual decline in nesting over 30 years.
Recovery Plan requires 2,000 nests per Recovery Plan requires 2,000 nests per year for 25 years.year for 25 years.
Must continue to maximize reproductive Must continue to maximize reproductive successsuccess
Reduce threats associated with Reduce threats associated with commercial fisheriescommercial fisheries
Recovery will require international effortRecovery will require international effort
How can you How can you help?help?
Reduce beach lightingReduce beach lighting Do not disturb nesting femalesDo not disturb nesting females Do not litterDo not litter Be active (attend public meetings, write Be active (attend public meetings, write
government officials, join conservation groups)government officials, join conservation groups) VolunteerVolunteer
For more information, visit
the Wildlife Resources Division
website:
www.georgiawildlife.com