Bermuda’s immature green turtles have been the focus of a tagging study initiated in 1968 by Dr. James Burnett-Herkes of the Bermuda Government, in collaboration with Dr. Archie Carr and Dr. H.C. Frick, a trustee of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (now known as the Sea Turtle Conservancy). One of the first scientific investigations of this species in their juvenile developmental habitat, the Bermuda Turtle Project (BTP) continues today as a joint effort between the Sea Turtle Conservatory (STC) and the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS).
An important component of the BTP is a 2-week in-water conservation course taught annually at BZS which builds regional capacity for the management of endangered sea turtles by providing training to university students, biologists, conservation officers and resource managers from countries throughout the Western Atlantic/Caribbean region.
Participants are exposed to the principles of sea turtle biology and physiology through the discussions of scientific literature, attending lectures, extensive field work and a necropsy session. Subject material is organized around a life cycle model: from the nesting beach and reproductive biology to population genetics, the pelagic/benthic phase, migration, feeding biology, and threats and conservation management. Understanding how biology influences management decisions and conservation outcomes is a fundamental part of the course. It is only by understanding the biology of all stages of the long and complex life cycles of these animals that holistic management of sea turtle populations can be achieved.
Participants assist in the capture-mark-recapture of sea turtles and are encouraged to implement research techniques in their home countries and build out a professional network that provides support and advice through the contacts made during this course.
The research team consists of BTP co-directors Dr. Gaëlle Roth and Jennifer Gray in Bermuda, and BTP scientific directors Dr. Daniel Evans and Richard Herren, from STC. Gaelle Roth also serves as the team’s veterinarian, and Barbara Outerbridge is the BTP registrar. Dr. Peter Meylan and Dr. Anne Meylan both serve as the BTP scientific advisors.
To date, over 150 people from over 40 different jurisdictions have participated in this course. Funding for this course has come from Chevron Texaco International, Global Indemnity Re, RenaissanceRe, Ark Underwriting, Fairmont Southampton Bermuda Resort, the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and the Atlantic Conservation Partnership, in addition to personal donations from individuals who are passionate about the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats.
Course description and application form can be found here: https://bermudaturtleproject.org