ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCHEndang Species ResVol. 3: Preprint, 2007doi: 10.3354/esr00060Published online December 21, 2007OVERVIEWMany species of marine megavertebrates are of pro-found conservation concern as the result of a range ofpast and ongoing impacts such as direct exploitation(Roman & Palumbi 2003, Baum & Myers 2004), indirecttake in fisheries (NRC 1990, Hall et al. 2000) and habi-tat degradation (e.g. Gardner et al. 2003). For effectivemitigation of direct threats, there is an acute need tounderstand how these animals use dynamic seascapes.The elaboration of an ever increasing array of trackingtechnologies has transformed this field of study (Block2005, Block et al. 2005), with satellite tracking usingthe Argos system (Argos 1996) having become parti-cularly prevalent in recent decades (Gillespie 2001).Marine turtle life histories typically span largetemporal and spatial scales (Musick & Limpus 1997,Plotkin 2003). Researchers have now extensively uti-lized satellite tracking to yield a number of insightsinto the spatial ecology of this group at a range ofscales. Recent highlights include demonstrating trans-Pacific migration in leatherback turtles Dermochelyscoriacea (Benson et al. 2007a), showing high levels offidelity to foraging areas across multiple years in green© Inter-Research 2007 · www.int-res.com *Email: b.j.godley@exeter.ac.ukTHEME SECTION: REVIEWSatellite tracking of sea turtles: Where have webeen and where do we go next?B. J. Godley 1, *, J. M. Blumenthal 1,2 , A. C. Broderick 1 , M. S. Coyne 1,3 ,M. H. Godfrey 4 , L. A. Hawkes 1 , M. J. Witt 11 Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter,Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK2 Department of Environment, PO Box 486, Grand Cayman KY1–1106, Cayman Islands3 SEATURTLE.org, 1 Southampton Place, Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA4 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 1507 Ann Street, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, USAABSTRACT: The use of satellite tracking for the fundamental and applied study of marine turtlesbegan in the 1980s but has undergone rapid growth in recent years. To provide a background againstwhich to judge the past success and future directions of these research efforts we carried out a com-prehensive review of over 130 scientific papers on the use of this technique in this taxon. We showhow satellite tracking has changed over time as well as outlining biases in spatial, species and life-stage coverage. Descriptions of migration routes and other habitats have offered novel insights intothe basic life history patterns of some species, highlighted focal areas for conservation and reinforcedthe multi-national nature of the stakeholders of many populations. In foraging areas, knowledge isgrowing as to how animals move within dynamic seascapes, thus facilitating our understanding of 3-dimensional habitat use and seasonal patterns of behaviour. More experimental approaches haveelucidated navigational capabilities and post-release survival following fisheries interaction andlong-term captivity. In addition, through the Internet and other media, satellite tracking appears tohave been effective in engaging public attention in many countries. Finally, we discuss why the useof the technique has increased so markedly over time and point out key areas of concern that we feelshould be addressed by the community of researchers and donors who focus on sea turtles.KEY WORDS: Sea turtles · Satellite tracking · Migration · Conservation · Navigation · Tagging reflexResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherO O PEN A A CCESSThe following text is a contribution to Inter-Research Symposium 1’Satellite Tracking for the Conservation of Migratory Vertebrates’held in Myrtle Beach, SC, USA in February 2007
