1st Nationwide In-Water Sea Turtle Survey
EOMAR, through the Belize Turtle Watch Program, with support from the Gulf & Caribbean Fisheries Institute and participation by our partners in the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network, coordinated the first nationwide In-Water Sea Turtle Survey. Biologists working in marine protected areas from Bacalar Chico to Punta Gorda assessed abundance levels and species composition of sea turtles.
An important group of stakeholders assisted in the scientific surveys - fishermen! Fishermen spend their days in the ocean swimming fast and diving deep. They have the skills that are required to capture sea turtles, and would be perfect fisheries rangers or biologists given the opportunity and training and can assist in monitoring and conserving the very resource that they make a livelihood from. In-Water Methodology
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The methodology is simple. Snorkel the reef, record turtles observed, and try to catch turtles sighted. Turtles captured are measured, tagged and released.
Biologists record location of capture and species and take precise measurements of the turtle carapace, plastron and tail. Turtles are also tagged so that when they are recaptured the data can be compared. Biopsy, or tissue samples, are also taken for DNA analysis which will identify the turtle's nesting beach.
It is hoped that each year biologists will return to the sites surveyed to conduct the in-water survey again and it is likely that some of the same turtles will be recaptured and important information on range and growth will be gathered.
Please note catching turtles should not be attempted unless scientific surveys are being conducted. Divers, snorkelers and fishermen should not capture turtles unless authorized to do so by the Belize Fisheries Department.
Biologists record location of capture and species and take precise measurements of the turtle carapace, plastron and tail. Turtles are also tagged so that when they are recaptured the data can be compared. Biopsy, or tissue samples, are also taken for DNA analysis which will identify the turtle's nesting beach.
It is hoped that each year biologists will return to the sites surveyed to conduct the in-water survey again and it is likely that some of the same turtles will be recaptured and important information on range and growth will be gathered.
Please note catching turtles should not be attempted unless scientific surveys are being conducted. Divers, snorkelers and fishermen should not capture turtles unless authorized to do so by the Belize Fisheries Department.
Members of the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation participating in the first nationwide sea turtle survey included:
- Belize Fisheries Department managed parks - Bacalar Chico, Hol Chan, Caye Caulker and South Water Caye
- University of Belize's Environmental Research Institute (UBERI) - Turneffe Atoll
- SEA (Southern Environmental Association) - Laughing Bird Caye, Silk Cayes and Gladden Spit.
- TIDE (Toledo Institute for Development and Environment) - Port Honduras
- ECOMAR - Gallow's Point
Nationwide In-Water Data Summary
_ A total of 69 turtles were observed during 34 surveys
completed across the country. The average number of turtles observed per survey
was 2.03 turtles. Sixteen of the observed turtles were captured for further
data measurements. As seen in Figure 1, of the turtles observed during surveys
368 were hawksbill, 16 were green and 15 were loggerhead. This is indicative
that hawksbill turtles are the most abundant in the waters of Belize despite
their endangered state worldwide.
In-water surveys indicate hawksbill sea turtles are
twice as abundant as green and loggerhead turtles!
Figure 2 shows the breakdown of the size of the three species observed during all the surveys countrywide. Of the hawksbills observed, 62% were medium in size while 24% were small and only 14% were large in size. The green turtles observed were primarily small and medium in size – 44% were small and 50% were medium while only 6% were large in size. The loggerheads observed during the surveys were primarily larger in size compared to the other species of sea turtles. 50% of the loggerheads observed were large in size while 20% were extra large. The remaining 30% were broken down between 20% medium and only 10% small.
Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve
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Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve was established in 1996 and protects sandy beaches from the Belize-Mexico border past Rocky Point. It is one of seven marine reserves in Belize that make up the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site and is managed by the Belize Fisheries Department. Both crocodiles and turtles are known to lay eggs here making it an important area for protection. Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve also includes Rocky and Robles Points which are the only 2 points in Belize where the barrier reef touches mainland in Belize. For these surveys, Eldgar Badillo assisted as the boat captain and the team of surveyors included Kirah
Forman, Javier Baldarez, Grimaldo Acosta, Henry Brown, Juan Chub, Sam Lyn,
Frimaldo Acosta, David Nah, and Miguel Alamilla.
At Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, 4 surveys were completed. On these surveys 5 turtles were observed. Additionally, a stranded turtle was observed and captured not in the transects surveyed. This was the single turtle captured during the surveys. Figure 5 shows the species breakdown of species observed including the stranding – 3 hawksbills, 2 green and 1 loggerhead turtle.
Figure 6 shows the size breakdown of the turtles observed at Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. All 3 hawksbills were medium in size. One of the green turtles observed was small and the other was medium in size. The loggerhead observed was large in size.
The stranded turtle found in a non-transect portion of Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve was a large female loggerhead. It was tagged on the left front flipper with BZ1504 and with a PIT tag 48502A1228 and on the right front flipper with BZ1503. She was released just 4 days after her capture.
Figure 6 shows the size breakdown of the turtles observed at Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. All 3 hawksbills were medium in size. One of the green turtles observed was small and the other was medium in size. The loggerhead observed was large in size.
The stranded turtle found in a non-transect portion of Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve was a large female loggerhead. It was tagged on the left front flipper with BZ1504 and with a PIT tag 48502A1228 and on the right front flipper with BZ1503. She was released just 4 days after her capture.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve was established in 1987 and was the first reserve of its kind to be established in Central America. Hol Chan can be loosely translated from Mayan to mean 'Little Channel.' It is located only 4 miles southeast of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye and is divided into various zones including reef areas, seagrass beds inside the reef and mangroves on southern Ambergris Caye. Once again Eldgar Badillo assisted as the boat captain for surveys while Kirah Forman, Eugenia Heredia, Grimaldo Acosta, Dylan Blease, Ali Cansino, Ellen MacRae, Lloyd Rosado, Miguel Moreno, , Pedro Oh, Ian Olivia, David Nah, Sam Lyn, Javier Baldarez, and Henry Brown completed the surveys in the reserve.
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A total of 4 surveys were completed at Hol Chan Marine reserve in Zones A and D. During these surveys 11 turtles were observed. However, 3 resident turtles were also captured and observed not in the survey transects making a total of 14 turtles observed at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, with 6 that were captured. Figure 7 depicts the breakdown of species of all 14 turtles observed. Of the turtles observed 7 were hawksbill, 5 were green and 2 were loggerhead.
Figure 8 shows the size breakdown of the species observed during the surveys at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Of the hawksbills observed, 4 were small and 3 were medium. Green turtles of all size were observed – 1 small, 3 medium, and 1 large. Both loggerheads observed were large in size. Of the 6 turtles captured, 3 were captured during the survey period and the other 3 were resident turtles that were not captured during the survey but were in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Of the three that were captured during surveys 2 were small hawksbills and 1 was a medium hawksbill.
All turtles, including those in non-transect portions were first captures. The first medium hawksbill was tagged on the left flipper with BZ1204 and on the right flipper with BZ 1205. One of the small hawksbills was too small in size to tag, while the other was tagged on the right flipper with BZ 181. |
Of the 3 resident turtles captured and tagged, 1 was green and 2 were loggerhead. The green turtle has a left front flipper missing and is a resident green turtle at Hol Chan Channel. It was tagged on the right flipper with BZ1502 and is large in size (57cm curved carapace length). The first resident loggerhead was a female that stays near the sandbar and was large in size and identified as a female based on the tail. She was tagged on the right front flipper with BZ1207 and a measured curved carapace length of 70cm. The last loggerhead captured was a large male resident turtle that resides near the sandbar. He was tagged on the left front flipper with BZ1209 with a measured curved carapace length of 78.2cm.
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Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
Caye Caulker Marine Reserve was established in May 1998 and is located 1/2 mile east of the island. It protects 5 habitats including mangrove, littoral forest, lagoon marsh-lands, seagrass beds and coral reef.
The in-water surveys in the Northern Marine Reserves (Bacalar Chico, Hol Chan and Caye Caulker) coordinated their efforts in conducting the surveys in each MPA. Elgar Badillo was the boat captain that assisted with the surveys while Kirah Forman, Eugenia Heredia, Grimaldo Acosta, Ali Cansino, Lloyd Rosado, Dylan Blease, Ellen MacRae, Miguel Moreno completed the surveys.
At Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, 4 surveys were completed and 14 turtles were observed, 2 of which were captured. Figure 9 shows that of these, 7 were hawksbill, 2 were green and 5 were loggerhead, indicating a diverse assemblages of turtles utilize the MPA.
Figure 10 shows the size breakdown of the species that were observed at Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. Of the hawksbills observed, 3 were small, and 4 were medium in size. Both green turtles observed were small in size. The loggerheads observed were divided – 1 was small, 2 were medium, and 2 were extra large in size. Both turtles captured were small hawksbill turtles. One of the hawksbills had a small piece of the back left flipper missing. This same hawksbill was not tagged because of its small size (only 22 cm curved carapace length). The second hawksbill captured was tagged – left flipper BZ2197 and right flipper BZ2198.
The in-water surveys in the Northern Marine Reserves (Bacalar Chico, Hol Chan and Caye Caulker) coordinated their efforts in conducting the surveys in each MPA. Elgar Badillo was the boat captain that assisted with the surveys while Kirah Forman, Eugenia Heredia, Grimaldo Acosta, Ali Cansino, Lloyd Rosado, Dylan Blease, Ellen MacRae, Miguel Moreno completed the surveys.
At Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, 4 surveys were completed and 14 turtles were observed, 2 of which were captured. Figure 9 shows that of these, 7 were hawksbill, 2 were green and 5 were loggerhead, indicating a diverse assemblages of turtles utilize the MPA.
Figure 10 shows the size breakdown of the species that were observed at Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. Of the hawksbills observed, 3 were small, and 4 were medium in size. Both green turtles observed were small in size. The loggerheads observed were divided – 1 was small, 2 were medium, and 2 were extra large in size. Both turtles captured were small hawksbill turtles. One of the hawksbills had a small piece of the back left flipper missing. This same hawksbill was not tagged because of its small size (only 22 cm curved carapace length). The second hawksbill captured was tagged – left flipper BZ2197 and right flipper BZ2198.
Gallow's Point
Gallow's Point is a 5 mile section of the Belize barrier reef that is straight east of Belize City. It has characteristic spur and groove reef formations that begin around 30 feet and plummet to a sandy bottom around 110 feet. This reef extends from St. Georges Caye down to Caye Channel. Melanie Day, Linda Searle, Paul Hyde, Junior Requena, Joe Requena, and Martin Pariente participated in these surveys.
At Gallow’s Point 2 surveys were completed and 7 turtles were observed, 2 of which were captured. Of the turtles observed, 6 were hawksbill and 1 was green as shown in Figure 11. |
Figure 12 shows the size breakdown of the turtles observed during the 2 surveys. Two of the hawksbills observed were small, 3 were medium and 1 was large. The single green turtle observed was small. Both turtles captured were medium sized hawksbill turtles. For both of the turtles this was a first capture. They were measured and PIT tags were inserted in the right front flipper - one with a number of 482A6A1A7E and the other was 4850226B1E. Neither turtle had distinguishing characteristics.
Turneffe Atoll
Turneffe Atoll consists of over 200 mangrove islands only an hour from Lighthouse Reef and 45 minutes from Glover's Reef. It contains one of the best known wall dives at the southern tip of the Atoll known as the Elbow. Celso Cawich, Jani Solazar, Kevin Mendez, Jenelle Griffith, Moises Barientos, Tanya Barora, Ryan Zuniga, Eugenio Santos completed the surveys at Turneffe Atoll.
Of 4 surveys completed around the Turneffe Atoll area, 12 turtles were observed, however none of these turtles were captured. Figure 13 shows that 9 of the turtles observed were hawksbill, 1 was green and 2 were loggerhead.
Figure 14 shows the size breakdown of the species observed. 8 of the hawksbill turtles observed were medium in size while 1 was large. The single green turtle observed was medium in size. Both loggerheads observed were large in size. Of the turtles observed, none had any signs of tags or fibropapilloma.
Of 4 surveys completed around the Turneffe Atoll area, 12 turtles were observed, however none of these turtles were captured. Figure 13 shows that 9 of the turtles observed were hawksbill, 1 was green and 2 were loggerhead.
Figure 14 shows the size breakdown of the species observed. 8 of the hawksbill turtles observed were medium in size while 1 was large. The single green turtle observed was medium in size. Both loggerheads observed were large in size. Of the turtles observed, none had any signs of tags or fibropapilloma.
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
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South Water Caye is the largest marine reserve in Belize covering 117,878 miles and lies only 15 miles southeast of Dangriga town. Established in 1996, the South Water Caye Marine Reserve contains a mosaic of marine habitats including rare littoral forests, mangroves, seagrass beds and a diversity of coral reef types. Jason Edwards served as the boat captain for these surveys while the surveyors consisted of Elias Cantun, Roberto Carballo, Melissa, Stephanie, Abie, Marsha, Donald, Ashbert, and Lito.
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During 5 surveys that were completed around South Water Caye, 9 turtles were observed 2 of which were captured. Of the turtles observed 5 were hawksbill and 4 were green – no loggerhead turtles were observed as seen in Figure 15.
As seen in Figure 16, 2 of the green observed were small and 2 were medium. Of the hawksbill turtles observed, 2 were medium and 3 were large in size. Both turtles that were captured were large hawksbill turtles. Both were first captures. The first was slightly smaller with a curved carapace length of 57.3cm – this turtle was tagged in the left flipper with XXN953 and right flipper with XXN954. The second captured was tagged in the left flipper with XXN951 and right flipper with XXN952.
As seen in Figure 16, 2 of the green observed were small and 2 were medium. Of the hawksbill turtles observed, 2 were medium and 3 were large in size. Both turtles that were captured were large hawksbill turtles. Both were first captures. The first was slightly smaller with a curved carapace length of 57.3cm – this turtle was tagged in the left flipper with XXN953 and right flipper with XXN954. The second captured was tagged in the left flipper with XXN951 and right flipper with XXN952.
Laughing Bird Caye Marine Reserve
Laughing Bird Caye is located on the western side of Victoria Channel 11 miles off the coast of Placencia in the Stann Creek District of Belize. This caye stands on a ridge of reef known as a faro. A faro is an angular atoll on a continental shelf that is steep sided and encloses a central lagoon. Laughing Bird Caye became a protected area in 1981 and has been a national park since 1991. A team from SEA made up of Reylando Castro, Brian Vernon, Patty Nightingale, Rita Leslie, Dunovan Claire, Jason Guy and Stephanie Wandke completed these surveys.
A single in-water survey was completed at Laughing Bird Caye Marine Reserve. No turtles were sighted during this survey.
A single in-water survey was completed at Laughing Bird Caye Marine Reserve. No turtles were sighted during this survey.
Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve has been protected since 2001. In the 1920s this area was known to local fisherman who reported that between March and June there were huge catches of snapper in this area and that the water looked milky. It has now been discovered that during this time of year, the snappers come to spawn in this area which attracts whale sharks who filter feed on the snapper eggs. The same team from SEA made up of R. Castro, Brian Vernon, Patty Nightingale, Rita Leslie, Dunovan Claire, Jason Guy, Stephanie Wandke surveyed this area.
At Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve a total of 3 surveys were completed. On these 3 surveys, 5 turtles were sighted but only was was captured. All 5 of the turtles observed were identified as loggerhead turtles (Figure 17).
Of these loggerhead turtles, 1 was medium in size, 2 were large in size and 2 were extra large (Figure 18). The medium sized turtle, as well as both large turtles were identified as females while both extra large turtles were identified as males by tail size. The turtle that was captured was one of the large females. She was found to have quite a bit of algae, as well as a couple barnacles on her carapace.
At Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve a total of 3 surveys were completed. On these 3 surveys, 5 turtles were sighted but only was was captured. All 5 of the turtles observed were identified as loggerhead turtles (Figure 17).
Of these loggerhead turtles, 1 was medium in size, 2 were large in size and 2 were extra large (Figure 18). The medium sized turtle, as well as both large turtles were identified as females while both extra large turtles were identified as males by tail size. The turtle that was captured was one of the large females. She was found to have quite a bit of algae, as well as a couple barnacles on her carapace.
Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
Sapodilla Cayes Marine Park includes 14 sand and mangrove cayes along the southernmost tip of the Belize barrier reef nearly 40 miles east of Punta Gorda. Shallow reefs lie on the outer portion of the reef only reaching down to about 15 feet of water. Two of the most beautiful beaches in Belize lie in this marine park on Hunting and Lime Cayes. Hunting Caye is also known to be a prime nesting area for hawksbill sea turtles in Belize! The SEA team made up of R. Castro, Brian Vernon, Patty Nightingale, Rita Leslie, Dunovan Claire, Jason Guy, and Stephanie Wandke surveyed this area.
Only 1 survey was able to be completed in Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve due to weather. During this survey, one hawksbill turtle was sighted. However, the team was unable to capture it. However, it was identified as a very large male hawksbill.
Only 1 survey was able to be completed in Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve due to weather. During this survey, one hawksbill turtle was sighted. However, the team was unable to capture it. However, it was identified as a very large male hawksbill.
Port Honduras Marine Reserve
The Port Honduras Marine Reserve covers 160 square miles of mangroves, sandy beaches coral reefs and important feeding grounds for a diverse number of marine species and declared a marine reserve in 2000.
The 2011 In-Water Survey team was comprised of TIDE biologist Marlon Williams, turtle program intern Cecilia Guerrero, Jenny Ramirez, Lolita Jacobs and Lana Cannon. Of 6 surveys completed at Port Honduras Marine Reserve, only 1 turtle was observed by the team. The 1 turtle observed however, was captured. As shown in Figures 1 and 1, this turtle was a medium sized green turtle. It was a first capture for this turtle. |