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Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

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PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN<br />

<strong>Chapter</strong> III. Background, 4. Marine Resources<br />

Draft 1 March 2007<br />

At nesting site 1, 16 fresh turtle tracks were identified (Balazs 1975). In addition, two green<br />

turtles, Chelonia, were observed. At site 2, more than 100 nesting pits were identified. Most<br />

appeared less than 2 to 3 months old. At site 3, more than 30 recent pits were identified. At<br />

site 4, more than 40 pits were identified.<br />

Personnel on Abariringa (Canton) also kept turtle pets (Balazs 1975). Many had photographs<br />

of turtles they had observed on the island. These were all identified as Chelonia. There were<br />

two reports of turtles with distinct ridges on their carapace. This would suggest that other<br />

marine turtles were also present on Abariringa. Turtles were common throughout the year<br />

inside and outside of the lagoon. Nesting was observed throughout the year, but more<br />

common during October and November at sites 2 and 3. Balazs (1975) estimated that there<br />

may be a fairly large numbers of green turtles that nest on Abariringa (Canton) (see also Hirth<br />

1993).<br />

Dahl (1980) reported that sea turtle nesting was common on Abariringa (Canton) and<br />

Enderbury. Dahl (1980) recommended that Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury turtle<br />

breeding areas be protected.<br />

Garnett (1983) reported that green turtles nest on Abariringa (Canton) in unknown numbers.<br />

Zug and Balazs (1985) examined skeletochronological techniques to determine age<br />

estimations of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. Humeri from 10 Hawaiian green turtle that<br />

died in the last 9 years, and 1 green turtle from Abariringa (Canton) in the Phoenix Islands<br />

were examined. The specimen from Abariringa (Canton) was estimated to be 15 years in age<br />

based on skeletochronological techniques. Based on results, it appeared that the Abariringa<br />

(Canton) turtle grew much faster and had an earlier maturity than green turtles from Hawaii.<br />

Hirth (1993) recommended that the status of green turtle nesting on Abariringa (Canton)<br />

needed to be examined.<br />

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