The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium obtained loggerhead hatchlings from beaches in Okinawa with the approval of the Okinawa Prefectural Marine Fisheries Regulatory Commission (No. 6-k3) and a special capture permit issued by Okinawa Prefecture (No. 6-35). These hatchlings were then raised for approximately three months before being tagged and released. According to Dr. Isao Kawazu, Manager of the Fish Section at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, this research project is an honor for their sea turtle husbandry techniques.
The islands of Japan encompass the entire nesting range of North Pacific loggerhead turtles. A notable number of young turtles born in Japan use the powerful Kuroshio Current System as a dispersal and migration highway to reach the coasts of the United States and Mexico, where they can find foraging aggregations.
Dr. George Shillinger, Executive Director at Upwell, expressed excitement about being part of this partnership that provides valuable insights into how this age group utilizes this area. He also emphasized that juvenile loggerheads face numerous human threats at sea,requiring collaborative conservation efforts from individual governments and transboundary solutions across their range.
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This is amazing conservation work! Great job Upwell!