Franklin

Gabon 2010-11: Corisco Bay, Green Turtles

A project of Marine Turtle Research Group.

click map for full-size version Franklin was released at its capture site in Coriso Bay, Gabon on March 28th, 2010.

Full-Size Map (65KB)

Species: Green Turtle
Life Stage: Sub-Adult
Gender: Unknown
Release Date: 2010-03-27 12:45:00
Release Location: Corisco Bay
Last Location: 2010-09-02 17:12:45

Adoptive Parents:
Amelia Schofield

Background

Franklin was the sixth green turtle to carry a satellite transmitter in Gabon. Franklin was caught by hand (as a diver jumps from a boat when turtle is sighted) in Corisco Bay near the uninhabited island of Cocotier. The turtle was named by the winner of a drawing contest for children during a Turtle Day event in Cap Esterias. Based on Franklin's size (85 cm curved carapace length, weighing >50 kg), this turtle is probably a sub-adult female.

Corisco Bay is an important foraging habitat for juvenile, sub-adult and adult green turtles stemming from at least 10 different rookeries (based on genetic studies). The bay is speckled with rocky fringing reefs and sand bars as well as abundant seagrass and algea upon which green turtles graze. Corisco Bay waters are shared by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea creating an interesting dynamic for community outreach and conservation efforts. As yet, we don't know how long individual turtles remain in Coriso Bay, what regions or habitat features are especially important to them, or where they go when they depart. Franklin and the other turtles tagged this season will hopefully provide such information.