The micro-satellite tag deployed by Upwell is specifically designed for smaller turtles like Chairlift. However, due too its size and weight, the tag may not be as durable as larger ones. This could pose a problem in the shallow waters where Chairlift resides, which are filled with debris and rocky surfaces that can perhaps damage the attachment and cause the tag to detach. As an inevitable result, some of the transmitted positions may have a wider margin of error than usual due to interference from surrounding structures and limited triumphant transmissions during brief satellite passes. While this may indicate that the tag’s useful life is over, it does not necessarily mean that Chairlift’s well-being is at risk.
Cold-stunned turtles like Chairlift have been found stranded on beaches from California up to British columbia, canada. Unfortunately, with climate change causing more frequent extreme weather events, these incidents are only expected to increase in frequency. In collaboration with members of the NOAA West Coast Stranding Network, Dr. Harris is gathering valuable data that can help improve health outcomes for stranded sea turtles. Additionally, rehabilitating these turtles provides an opportunity to gain insight into their movements and behaviors in our waters. The data collected from Chairlift’s tag will provide crucial data about how green sea turtles navigate habitats off of California’s coast – essential knowledge for developing targeted conservation strategies in light of climate change.
Chairlift’s successful release after being tagged is a heartwarming outcome made possible by quick response and collaboration between PGE biologists, The Marine Mammal Center, Aquarium of the Pacific,and Upwell – truly showcasing how it takes a village! At Upwell we are grateful for our partners, the wider NOAA West Coast Stranding Network, and our supporters around the world for making this critical work possible.
This is amazing work, collaboration is key to saving these sea turtles!