Satellite trackers have revealed where green sea turtles like to spend their time in New Zealand waters.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has been following 11 turtles that were rescued and nursed back to health at Kelly Tarlton’s, an underwater aquarium in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Each turtle wears a temporary tag that lasts as long as its battery (up to 12 months) and sends signals to a group of 25 satellites.
The turtles’ favourite spots included Rangaunu Bay and Harbour, Pārengarenga Harbour, Murimotu, Whangārei Harbour and the Bay of Islands in Te Tai Tokerau Northland, as well as Manukau Harbour in Auckland. One turtle swam all the way down to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and back up to Northland, and also spent about a month in Manukau Harbour.
Dr Karen Middlemiss, who leads DOC’s Team Turtle project, said turtles can travel quickly when they want to. Middlemiss said that, despite what many people think, turtles are “pretty good at zoomies”.
The research also found that the turtles don’t breed in New Zealand. Many stay in one harbour for a long time, but they all eventually leave to breed somewhere else.
Dr James Chatterton from Auckland Zoo said eight sick turtles had arrived since June, with some hurt by fishhooks, fishing line or being hit by boats.
Middlemiss said boaties could help by having someone on the lookout, fitting a guard over the boat’s propeller, and slowing down in areas where turtles are often seen. That’s because turtles pop up to the surface to breathe and can be hard to spot.
So if you’re out on the water this summer, keep an eye out for a turtle coming up for air.
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