Sea Turtles in Georgia Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division

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


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)


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





Threats - Pelagic Longline Fishery Threats - Pelagic Longline Fishery MortalityMortality


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


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 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

675

1031 1048

470

1360

10221096

789

1055

1406

852

11011060 1028

1504

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

16001

98

9

19

90

19

91

19

92

19

93

19

94

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

Nu

mb

er

of

Ne

sts

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

Documents

Sea Turtles in Georgia Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division