Satellite Telemetry of Loggerhead Sea Turtle Movement in the Georgia Bight

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Abstract
The movements of 8 female loggerhead sea turtles in the Georgia Bight were monitored, using transmitters compatible with the NASA Nimbus 6 Satellite. The tracking sessions, lasting from as little as 14 h to more than 34 days, were conducted from June 1-July 14, 1979, and June 15-July 23, 1980. Satellite telemetry is a viable technique for monitoring the movements of larger marine turtles. The data collected during these 2 yr suggest that the behavior of female loggerhead sea turtles is rather stereotypic between nesting attempts. Following nesting on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, the turtles swam in a northerly direction and entered the estuarine waters behind the island. After 1-3 days, the turtles then left the estuary for the open seas of the Georgia Bight. They did not wander randomly while at sea, prior to renesting, but moved directly to small, isolated areas of stable substrate that may represent concentrated patches of abundant prey.

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