Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Pierce et al (2006) reported that no evidence of recent (1 to 2 months) turtle nesting on
Birnie, Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki. However, several old nests
were observed (see Table III-4.17 above).
NIKUMARORO (GARDNER)
Turtle were plentiful (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
Balazs (1975) did not visit Nikumaroro (Sydney), but reported that tracks were observed on
the southern coast of Nikumaroro (Gardner). These turtle populations were probably heavily
exploited during the recent settlement of this island.
Garnett (1983) reported that green turtles, Chelonia mydas, breed on Nikumaroro (Gardner).
However, there were no estimates of their numbers.
In January 2000, 22 green turtle tracks were observed (Kepler 2000). More than 25 nests
were found under coconut and pandanus trees. Some were recent, others were older.
In 2000, 15 to 20 fresh green sea turtle tracks were identified on the southwestern beach of
Nikumaroro (Stone et al 2001). Other beaches were not surveyed.
In 2000, during 11 dives around Nikumaroro, one hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imricata
bissa, and 12 green turtles, Chelonia mydas agassizi, were observed (Stone et al 2001).
In 2002, turtle surveys were conducted on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie, Enderbury, Manra,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (Obura and Stone 2003). Results of these turtle surveys are
presented in Table III-4.14 above.
In 2004, Planetary Coral Reef Foundation (2004) reported encountering plenty of turtles.
Kerr and Wragg (2006) reported their 2006 observations of marine turtles on Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki. Results are provided in Table
III-4.15 above.
Kerr and Wragg (2006) also conducted shoreline surveys for old (>1 year old) and new (< 1
year old) turtle nests and turtle tracks on Birnie, Enderbury, Manra, McKean, Nikumaroro,
Orona, and Rawaki. Results of these surveys are provided in Figure III-4.16 above.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that no evidence of recent (1 to 2 months) turtle nesting on
Birnie, Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki. However, several old nests
were observed (see Table III-4.17 above).
ORONA (HULL)
In 1840, the U.S.S. Vincennes discovered Orona (Hull) with 1 sick Frenchman and 11
Tahitians on the island (Bryan 1941 and 1942; Hobbs 1945; Dickson 1939; Douglas and
Douglas 1994). They had been left there 5 months earlier to catch turtles (4 months
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