Satellite-tracked movements of female Dermochelys coriacea from southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Four female leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea were satellite tracked from the southeastern coast of Brazil (3 from nesting beaches in the state of Espírito Santo, and 1 recovered from a driftnet off the coast of the state of São Paulo), representing the first study of movements of leatherbacks nesting on Brazilian grounds. The results suggest that during the internesting period, leatherbacks may disperse up to 160 km from the nesting beach using an area of 4400 km2. Tracking also revealed shared feeding areas in southern South America, comprising Brazilian, Uruguayan, and Argentinean waters, and highlighted important interactions with fish eries along nesting, migratory, and feeding habitats. The presence in migratory/foraging areas of turtles from at least 2 different nesting populations from both sides of the South Atlantic Ocean supports the concept that management efforts for this species must incorporate a broad regional perspective.