Gallow's Point ECOMAR

GALLOW'S POINT - ECOMAR

In 2017 a collaborative study to document the migration paths and behavior of loggerhead sea turtles was launched by ECOMAR, Marymount University, Hawksbill Hope and the Belize Fisheries Department. Two turtles have been tagged in this study - Hope 4 Nature and Rhody Hope de Majil. The results indicate that these loggerheads have strong site fidelity.

Also included on this page are some details on the VERY first loggerhead tagged in Belize, and the very first shark attack survivor, Freya! You can also read more on Freya under the Rehabilitation page.

Hope 4 Nature
Jul 11, 2017 - Aug 16, 2018
401 days

In collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department, Marymount University and Hawksbill Hope, ECOMAR has tagged two loggerhead sea turtles that forage inside the 5 mile stretch at Gallow's Point Reef.

Hope 4 Nature is a female loggerhead sea turtle that was captured and tagged when a group from SEE Turtles and Nature's Path were supporting our research at St George's Caye.

Hope 4 Nature is the second loggerhead sea turtle tagged in a study to learn more about migration paths of sea turtles foraging on discarded lobster and conch products left by traditional sailboat fishermen.

Hope 4 Nature remained at Gallow's Point for months, her tagged stopped working, resumed functioning after 290 days and was in Corazal Bay, and the last signals were from the Gulf of Mexico.

The collaborative study is being conducted by ECOMAR, Marymount University, Hawksbill Hope and the Belize Fisheries Department.

Hope 4 Nature

UPDATE!!!! During in water surveys at Gallow's Point on Jun 20, 2018, our team observed Hope 4 Nature.
The antennae of the tag has separated into several strands which may be the reason why signals
are not be sent as frequently.

Rhody Hope de Majil - Jan 17 - July 17, 2017 - 181 days - 3km

Rhody Hope de Majil

Our first loggerhead tagged in 2017 for a new study of foraging loggerheads features Rhody Hope de Majil. She is showing signs of strong site fidelity and we have observed her twice in this area and also recaptured her once to inspect her tag.

For more details visit the Rhody Hope de Majil webpage!

Hope 4 Freya - Jul 29, 2015 - Jul 17, 2017 - 719 days - 572 km

Hope 4 Freya is the first loggerhead sea turtle tagged in Belize. She is also a turtle that survived a shark attack, lost her left front flipper and went on to migrate 700 km (about 450 miles!) to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula! Freya's tag is the longest lasting of all tags sponsored by Dr Todd Rimkus from Marymount University and Hawksbill Hope. The last signal was received on July 17, 2017, so lasted for 719 days, just shy of two years! The signals received in the last month of transmission show Freya moving from her foraging area near Scorpion Reef, possibly migrating back to Belize to nest, since sea turtles nest every 2-3 years. Please visit the Hope 4 Freya web page for more details.