Flipper Tagging

Nesting females are tagged using titanium flipper tags to enable the identification of individual females. Two tag series have been used in Tanzania with tag prefixes TA and TZ.  To date, most flipper tagging has been done on an opportunistic basis.  However, Sea Sense has secured funds from WWF to conduct an intensive tagging programme in Mafia Island during the peak nesting season in 2012 (April and May).  

Tagging data provides important information on population parameters including nesting population size, clutch frequency, nest site fidelity and inter-nesting periods. Data will be used to improve the management of sea turtle populations and assess the success of current sea turtle conservation programmes.

Satellite Tagging

Sea Sense is currently planning the first ever sea turtle satllite tagging programme in Tanzania.  With support from WWF, Sea Sense will tag four nesting females in Mafia using the latest technology.  The data will be used to identify post nesting migratory routes and important foraging grounds.

Tanzania is participating in the region wide South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP).  The project has a strong biodiversity component which focuses on the relationship between commercial and artisanal fisheries and species of high biodiversity value (sea turtles, marine mammals and sea birds).  Sea Sense is working closely with SWIOFP staff to implement a satellite tagging programme at other key nesting sites in Tanzania.  Tracking data will be overlaid with fisheries data to identify areas of high risk from fisheries interactions.