Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas, satellite telemetry tracking of breathing frequency related to

boat traffic

Merriam Schmitz

Amount Requested: $30,000

Conservation Challenge: Specific direct threats to endangered species (boat collisions)

Project Summary:

Green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, are majorly threatened by collisions with boats and

we want to address this issue. Due to their respiration needs, sea turtles emerge for air increasing

vulnerability to a boat collision. In our study, 3 inhabited islands in the Galapagos busy ports and

nearby nesting/foraging areas. A team of researchers using satellite telemetry will conduct our

study for 5 days a week during the months of October through January (16 weeks). We

hypothesize that the subjects will breathe in more high-trafficked areas due to stress, and thus are

at higher risk of boat collisions.

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 I. Statement of Problem

Chelonia Mydas are threatened by boat collisions inducing high mortality rates across the

globe in near-shore habitats. These mortality events are the second most common cause of death

after bycatch in the Galapagos.1 Green sea turtles are listed as an endangered species and their

populations are decreasing.2 In high-trafficked areas with no regulated speed zones, the turtles

are most vulnerable. More specifically, increased boat speeds yield higher mortality rates.3 The

Charles Darwin Foundation is directing conservation efforts toward a solution.4

With limited research in boat-trafficked areas in the Galapagos Islands, we want to

employ satellite telemetry to track Chelonia mydas breathing frequencies relative to the amount

of boat traffic. In addition, based on the female turtles’ affinity to shorelines for nesting, we want

to highlight the sex recorded to see if collisions target one sex more.5 Our pilot study found that

the 15 turtles consisted of 2/3 females, 1/3 males, and 1 being unsure of sex as a juvenile. 3

inhabited islands in the Galapagos are of study interest; areas of high boat-trafficked zones with

nesting sites near. These islands include de Santa Cruz (pop. 20,000), San Cristobal (pop.

10,000), and Isabela (pop. 5,000).6 Santa Cruz’s main port is Puerto Ayura, the most heavily-

1 Diaz et al. 2011. Green Turtle (chelonia mydas) mortality in the Galápagos Islands…Marine Turtle Newsletter. 130(130): 10-
15. Retrieved April 22, 2023.

2 IUCN. 2023. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 15 April, 2023.

3 Hazel et al. 2007. Vessel speed increases collision risk for the green turtle Chelonia Mydas. Endangered Species Research. 3:
105-113. . Retrieved April 22, 2023.

4 (n.a.). 2023. Reducing the threat of boat strikes on green turtles in Galapagos. Charles Darwin Foundation. Retrieved April 22,
2023, from https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/research/projects/sea-turtles#:~:text=The%20Galapagos%20Islands
%20provide%20nesting,%2C%20Chile%2C%20among%20other%20countries.

5 Seminoff et al. 2008. Satellite-tracked migrations by Galápagos Green Turtles and the need ...Research Gate.Retrieved April
22, 2023, from https://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/2840/cc_2-2-4.pdf?sequence=1

6 (n.a.) 2022. Intense monitoring secured 400 nests of Galápagos sea turtles. Galápagos Conservancy. Retrieved April 22, 2023,
from https://www.galapagos.org/newsroom/nests-galapagos-sea-turtles/

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trafficked zone in all of the Galapagos Islands.7 In San Cristobal, the main port is Puerto

Baquerizo Moreno. In Isabela, the main port is Villamil. These areas inflict anthropogenic harm

on Chelonia mydas populations, primarily from tourism and fishing.8

II. Preliminary Research from Pilot Study

Our pilot study aimed to analyze Chelonia mydas swimming, resting, eating, or other

patterns correlated with breathing frequency. We hypothesized that higher percentages of time

spent feeding and swimming would result in higher breathing frequencies. Thus, higher resting

would result in lower breathing frequencies. The independent variables are swimming, resting,

and eating and the dependent variable is the resulting breathing frequency.

We conducted our study in 3 varied-trafficked zones on San Cristobal Island at the

beaches Loberia, Playa Punta Carola, and Tijeretas. Loberia Beach is a rock-enclosed area

furthest from the main port where the majority of the sea turtles were found (13/15). The cliff of

Loberia had high turtle populations, with higher wave impact inducing higher breathing

frequencies. Punta Carola is a calm beach but with heavy boat traffic; few turtles rested here with

1 juvenile. Tijeretas is a tucked-in bay area where lots of marine diversity persists and boat

traffic is less than in Carola due to the further distance from the port. One turtle was found here.

Our methodology consisted of having 2-4 members scanning a chosen site from 9 am to

12 pm. Once a Green sea turtle was spotted from 2 meters away, a stopwatch was used to track

its behavior for a 30-minute duration. An ethogram defined behaviors, breathing means the

7 (n.a.). 2023. Reducing the threat of boat strikes on green turtles in Galapagos. Charles Darwin Foundation. Retrieved April 22,
2023, from https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/research/projects/sea-turtles#:~:text=The%20Galapagos%20Islands
%20provide%20nesting,%2C%20Chile%2C%20among%20other%20countries.

8 Seminoff et al. 2008. Satellite-tracked migrations by Galápagos Green Turtles and the need ...Research Gate.Retrieved April
22, 2023, from https://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/2840/cc_2-2-4.pdf?sequence=1

3
mouth emerges; swimming means movement of the flippers and propulsion; resting means

floating; eating means scraping at rocks. Every 15 seconds, the behavior of the sea turtle was

recorded. When the sea turtle emerged to the surface for a breath, the exact time would be

recorded. In addition to these observations, the sex of the turtle was recorded based on the length

of its tail. After 30 minutes of tracking, the recorder would begin to scout for a new turtle to

track.

The average breathing interval for male and female sea turtles was the same, (n= 14,

excluding the juvenile), being 2 minutes and 6 seconds. The number of breaths per minute was

weakly positively correlated to the percent time swimming (R² = 0.414 (Figure I)). Using a t-test

to test the correlation between breathing frequency and time swimming, we obtained (p<0.01).

The number of breaths per minute was weakly negatively correlated to resting time (R² = 0.427

(Figure 2)). Using a t-test to test the correlation between breathing frequency and time resting,

we obtained (p<0.01).

In the high-impact zones such as Loberia cliff, the sea turtles were found to have

increased breaths and swimming times. The near-cliff swimming turtles breathed an average of

0.62 times per minute. In contrast, the near-shore low-impact zones had turtles breathing on

average 0.317 times per minute. The majority of our turtle subjects were found at Loberia, which

had 2 variable locations within itself. Due to the high impact of the cliff waters, this likely

produced results suggesting breathing frequency positively correlated with higher swimming

patterns.

III. Goals and Objectives of Proposed Project

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 The goal of this project is to find high-risk zones for turtles-boat collisions. Through

satellite telemetry, we will track turtle breathing and whereabouts in the Galapagos Islands or

migratory patterns elsewhere.9 The hypothesis is that there will be lower breathing frequencies in

high-nesting sites. As the turtles approach proximity to high-trafficked zones, breathing

frequency in theory may increase due to higher stress. In high-trafficked areas vs. nesting sites in

proximity, we want to research if sea turtles surface breathe more in these areas using satellite

telemetry. If turtles breathe more in high-traffic zones, they are more vulnerable to boat

collisions. There is an unfortunate chance of discovering a boat collision event if we can gather

enough replicates for the study. We hope to be able to scout the areas of higher turtle

vulnerability to boat traffic impact and if turtles are prone to breathing more and avoiding these

areas.

IV. Proposed Project Methodology

The tagging of turtles using satellite telemetry will begin in October and end in January.

The nesting season is from December to May, meaning a higher turtle influx and more turtle-

boat collisions.10 Our sampling starts in October tracking differences in non-nesting vs. nesting

seasons. We aim to track 10 turtles. Transmitters will remain with enough battery on turtles for 4

months.11 The islands, ports, and nesting sites of study include Santa Cruz (port: Puerto Ayora,

nesting: Tortuga Bay), San Cristobal (port: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, nesting: Playa Punta

9 (n.a.). 2023. Reducing the threat of boat strikes on green turtles in Galapagos. Charles Darwin Foundation. Retrieved April 22,
2023, from https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/research/projects/sea-turtles#:~:text=The%20Galapagos%20Islands
%20provide%20nesting,%2C%20Chile%2C%20among%20other%20countries.

10 (n.a). 2023. Information about sea turtles: General behavior. Sea Turtle Conservancy. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from
https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-general-behavior/

11Denkinger et al. 2013. Are boat strikes a threat to sea turtles in the Galápagos Marine Reserve? Ocean and Coastal
Management 80: 29-35.

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Carola), and Isabela (Port: Villamil, nesting: Quinta Playa).12 The research site maps are

presented below.

Maps provided by Google Maps

Turtle researchers will search the shore areas by snorkel and on land, with a boat nearby.

Once a turtle is found, the turtle will be uplifted onto the boat for processing or processed on

land. Land turtles in nesting season laying eggs will be awaited, then processing will occur.

Processing will be trained to the researchers following the guidelines referenced in cited article.13

Our data collection requires tracing

the whereabouts of each turtle and the

frequencies of its breathing. Depending on

the area, this will be correlated to see if

breathing frequencies change in higher

human-impacted areas. Daily analysis of

the boat traffic will be checked using a vessel-tracking platform.

Using a T-test, we will measure correlations between boat traffic and breathing

frequencies. Using a T-test, we will compare the nesting season vs. the non-nesting season and

the turtles’ whereabouts.

V. Conservation Impacts

12 Kuppusamy et al. 2010. Applications of satellite telemetry technique in sea turtle research in India. Telemetry in wildlife
science. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
.
13Seminoff et al. 2008.Satellite-tracked migrations by Galápagos Green Turtles and the need ...Research Gate.Retrieved April
22, 2023, from https://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/2840/cc_2-2-4.pdf?sequence=1

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 The results of our study should help to address turtle-boat collisions in the Galapagos

Islands, especially in populated ports, high-fishing areas, and tourist areas. With results that

would indicate that there is a high population of turtles that are drawn to or return to an area,

strengthened enforcement of this MPA zone must occur. From the data we collect, we can

inform locals and vessel operators of the areas to keep low-speed zones and prohibited areas. In

addition, the time of year at which there is the most concern. Any findings of direct turtle-boat

collisions would be heavily emphasized when notifying the public. To implement these

strategies, we aim to promote our research through renowned organizations including the

Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR), the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), the

Inter-American Convention for Protection of Sea Turtles (IAC), and the Permanent Commission

of the South Pacific (Lima Convention).14

VI. Figures or Tables

Figure I. This graph shows a weak positive correlation between breathing frequency vs. time
spent swimming.

14 Direct communication with field guide Ivan, March 2023.

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Figure II. This graph shows a weak negative correlation between breathing frequency vs. time
spent resting.
VII. Budget: $30,000
16 weeks, 5 days/week
A = Personal
B = Travel
C = Equipment
D = Communication

Item Description Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

A, B. Personal Travel $1,400 2 $2,800

to/from Ecuador and
Galapagos
-others are locals

A. Galapagos $1,000 1 $1,000

Research Permit

A, B. National Park $100 3 $300

Entry Fee

A. Lodging and meals $35/day 276 $9,660

for 3 people

A. Meals - Camping $15/day 60 $900

for 3 people

A.Tent $150 2 $300

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C.Boat $25/hr 3 hrs/day, 4 days a $4,800
week

A. 2 Field Assistants $25/day 5 days a week $4,000

C.Dive Reel $50 1 $50

C. GPS Telemetry $100 2 $200

Installation Kit

C. GPS Telemetry $500 10 $5,000

Tag

A, B, C, D. Extra x x $990
Costs