Canadian Fishermen Help Scientists Study the Dermochelys coriacea
In the fishing grounds of Atlantic Canada, June to October is “turtle season”, the warmest time of the year and the months when fishermen are most likely to spot leatherbacks coming up from the South. Leatherback turtles are the giants of the sea turtle world. Up to 2,000lbs, longer than 6ft, and with those shiny parallel ridges running down their blue-black shells, they’re unmistakable. Yet, despite the local consensus that these supposedly tropical turtles roam the waters off Nova Scotia, when biologist Sherman Bleakney proposed in 1965 that these turtles were making an annual northward migration in search of their jellyfish prey, the scientific community dismissed him. After all, sea turtles are warm water animals, incapable of tolerating the harsh conditions of the North. Any turtles sighted North of the Carolinas must be lost, accidental visitors.
It would be thirty years before scientists would convincingly demonstrate the importance of these northern feeding grounds in the leatherback story. In the 90’s, turtle enthusiast and biologist Mike James decided to follow up on Bleakney’s idea, and came up with a simple test. He distributed hundreds of posters in Nova Scotian fishing communities with a photo of the leatherback turtle and a single emphasized question – “Have you seen this turtle?”
“Yes!” In just one summer, Dr. James received over 170 fishermen-reported sightings of leatherbacks in the waters around Nova Scotia.
Click the link to read more…
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
USA:- STC lighting project manager receives lighting specialist certification
USA:- Blanding’s turtle babies discovered in Dakota County park
USA:- Baby turtles rescued from dying mother released into the wild
Crime & Punishment
USA:- Four suspects identified in stolen sea turtle egg investigation
Education
UK:- Endangered giant turtle goes on show at Bristol Zoo
Health & Medical
USA:- New lease on life for 30-year-old Malacochersus tornieri (Video)
Miscellany
USA:- Library patrons, animal lovers raise $5K for ailing turtle; plus: other library pets
UK:- The world’s fastest tortoise has become a father for the first time
This Week In Turtles…
As part of their ongoing efforts to offset the economic challenges created by red tide, A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals and Hurricane Hank’s are partnering in their efforts to bring locals and visitors out to Anna Maria Island. A Paradise Realty and Hurricane Hank’s will host a Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5. The fundraiser will benefit the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring organization.
Question or Concerns? Want to submit an article to get posted? Email us at [email protected].
Photo from Florida Fish and Wildlife
