Research and Monitoring Report 2013 - Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

We observed green turtles and hawksbills along the west coast of Bonaire, around Klein 
Bonaire, and adjacent to Lac during snorkel surveys. Green turtle sightings were 
particularly high near Lac, and netting surveys also suggested large aggregations of green 
turtles in shallow, sea grass foraging sites of Lac. Green turtles documented there were 
larger than individuals reported elsewhere in Bonaire. 
Five green turtles tagged in 2003 and 2006 were reported in Nicaragua’s sea turtle harvest, 
valuable data about sea turtle movements which complement our satellite tracking 
program. Unfortunately, incidences of fibropapillomatosis among green turtles were more 
widespread in 2013 than recent seasons. 
In 2013, we tracked a post-nesting female hawksbill turtle using satellite telemetry from 
Bonaire to Honduras over a period of 85 days. The turtle passed through six national 
territorial waters, swimming over 5,000 km (3,000 mi) to reach a general area proven to be 
important foraging grounds for Bonaire breeding turtles. 
We also outfitted a hawksbill with a datalogger to gather information on hawksbill habitat 
use and behaviors. The device, which collects GPS locations and depth information, was 
We observed green turtles and hawksbills along the west coast of Bonaire, around Klein 
Bonaire, and adjacent to Lac during snorkel surveys. Green turtle sightings were 
particularly high near Lac, and netting surveys also suggested large aggregations of green 
turtles in shallow, sea grass foraging sites of Lac. Green turtles documented there were 
larger than individuals reported elsewhere in Bonaire. 
Five green turtles tagged in 2003 and 2006 were reported in Nicaragua’s sea turtle harvest, 
valuable data about sea turtle movements which complement our satellite tracking 
program. Unfortunately, incidences of fibropapillomatosis among green turtles were more 
widespread in 2013 than recent seasons. 
In 2013, we tracked a post-nesting female hawksbill turtle using satellite telemetry from 
Bonaire to Honduras over a period of 85 days. The turtle passed through six national 
territorial waters, swimming over 5,000 km (3,000 mi) to reach a general area proven to be 
important foraging grounds for Bonaire breeding turtles. 
We also outfitted a hawksbill with a datalogger to gather information on hawksbill habitat 
use and behaviors. The device, which collects GPS locations and depth information, was 
retrieved in July, 2013. Preliminary results are consistent with previously deployed 
dataloggers, indicating regular movements in and out of Lac Bay. 
Sadly, we recorded 18 turtles stranded during 2013, 12 of which were found dead or had to 
be euthanized. 
We will be undertaking several new research initiatives in the year ahead, including using 
our tagging data to estimate the total population of sea turtles using Bonaire’s waters 
(which will help to inform management policy) and to estimate the tremendous growth 
rates of green turtles in Lac, as well as reviewing our monitoring program to ensure that 
protocols are as efficient as possible.