Turtle Tracking: French Polynesia

To date, five turtles have been tracked in French Polynesia, facilitated by SPREP and NOAA’s Marine Turtle Research Program, in collaboration with the French Polynesia Direction de L’Environment, Le Meridien Bora Bora and Te Mana o Te Moana.

Above: The Environment Minister Honourable Georges Handerson, Bora Bora Mayor Mr Gaston Tong Song and the General Manager of Le Meridien Mr Pascal Fouquet with both magnificent animals awaiting the release.

Right: Mayor Gaston Tong Song watches as Popora is released.

Below: Lui Bell and Dr George H. Balazs attaching the satellite tag.

(Photos Linda Mirran).

Popora, a male green turtle, was released outside the pass, Bora Bora, French Polynesia on November 20, 2006. Popora has a Curved Carapace (Shell) Length (CCL) of 93 cm and was caught off Tupai Island.

As of early April 2007, Popora has already traveled 5428 kilometres has gone through the Exclusive Economic Zones of 7 countries/territories. He is returing to the southern most island of Vanuatu, (Anatom/Aneityum), making a repeat into Vanuatu's Exclusive Economic Zone (the first time via near Tanna Island).

Mr Francis Hickie of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre/National Museum writes:

"Anatom (known locally as Aneityum) is a well known turtle foraging area - glad to hear Popora has found it! Our awareness efforts went over the radio last weekend and will go another round this weekend - we have also sent word to Aneityum (same time we had alerted Tanna) via chiefly networks to promote awareness on not harming satellite tagged turtles".

Below: Map illustrating movements to date.

Rosa-Flore, an immature olive ridley turtle was released off the pass at Bora Bora, French Polynesia on November 21, 2006. Rose-Flore was caught in Bora Bora lagoon and has a Curved Carapace (Shell) Length (CCL) of 48.2 cm.

An adult male green turtle, Rahitinui, was tagged and released. Below is a map of his movements.

Two more female green turtles, Heitarre and Lola, were released. Below are their movements.

Related links and information

• Current turtle trackings
• Turtle tracking: Vanuatu
• Turtle Tracking: Fiji
• Lady Vini and Miss Lina turtle tracking
• Marshall Island turtle tracking
• Tuvalu turtle tracking
• American Samoan turtle tracking
• Seaturtle.org Satellite tracking
• Turtle tagging
• TREDS database

Contact: Lui Bell, Marine Species Officer, SPREP: LuiB@sprep.org