Dispersal Patterns and Swimming Behaviour of Hatchling Flatback Turtles

Very little is known about flatback turtle hatchlings, which are very unique. Unlike other sea turtle hatchlings, the flatback turtle does not swim into the open ocean for part of its life before returning to coastal waters as a juvenile turtle. Instead, the flatback hatchling remains in coastal waters close to shore. We know this as hatchlings and small turtles can be washed up on beaches during storms and cyclones, which show us they must be very close to the coastline. But we don’t know where they live during these years and what effect humans have on them if they are so close.

This study uses a specially designed float and transmitter and allows a biologist in a sea kayak to follow the hatchling at a distance. We can track the direction they swim in when they leave the beach, how fast they swim, if they follow local currents, and the effect of wind and waves on the hatchlings swimming.

This study is being done by one of the scientists who works with Sea Turtle Foundation, Dr Andrea Phillott. Andrea is funded by the Australian Academy of Sciences to do this project and will be tracking hatchlings again in January 2009.