Tracking Juvenile ⁢Sea Turtles: The Role of Micro-Satellite Tags

The K4H tags are equipped with sensors ‌to gather data on dive time and depth, ⁣providing valuable information about ⁤the behavior and movements of juvenile sea turtles. In an‌ effort to improve tag battery life, solar panels are being tested ⁣and have the potential to extend transmission time up to 8-12 months. The tag’s ⁢antenna is designed ‍to transmit data reliably from remote​ ocean locations ​while also‌ being flexible enough to minimize interference with the turtle’s natural activities. This flexibility also reduces the risk of snagging or entanglement. Thanks ⁤to the innovative attachment method developed by FAU Marine Lab Director Dr. Jeanette Wyneken (in preparation ⁤with Candela et al.), the tags detach⁣ from the turtle’s carapace as it grows.

Prior ​to the​ release of the turtles, Upwell researchers⁣ collaborate with tag engineers at ‌Lotek and physicists at Mercator Ocean ⁣to develop programming strategies that optimize satellite detection likelihoods based ⁣on observed turtle behaviors and projected satellite trajectories.

The Importance of Micro-Satellite Tags in Sea Turtle Conservation

Micro-satellite⁣ tags play a ‌crucial role⁢ in Upwell’s Misplaced Years initiative,‍ providing valuable data ⁤on poorly understood life stages of sea ⁢turtles. Understanding the movements and responses of juvenile turtles to the marine environment is essential in designing effective conservation measures. To‍ learn more about how we track small‍ juvenile turtles weighing 100 grams or more⁤ (hint: collaboration!), continue⁣ reading in Following Tiny Turtles at Sea: Tag Deployment.