Turtle Tracking: French Polynesia

Popora and Rose-Flore

In late November 2006, Popora, an adult green turtle and Rose-Flore, an immature olive ridley turtle, were satellite tagged and released off the coast of Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

This was 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).

Follow the movements of these sea turtles as they are tracked via satellite signal and charted on a series of maps posted here on the YOST website.

Movements of Popora

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.

Movements of Rose-Flore

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.

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

Related links and information

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

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