How do you attach a transmitter to a turtle?

Scientists have used a variety of methods to attach transmitters to the turtles carapace.  We follow the method described by Balazs, et al., 1996 with some modifications for use with juvenile turtles.  All telemetry/tagging projects must first be approved by Florida Wildlife Commission.

 

  1. Preparing the carapace – All barnacles, algae, and other material must be removed from the carapace to insure proper transmitter attachment.  The area should be lightly sanded,  and dried/cleaned with an ethanol or isopropanol-damped cloth.*

  2. Mounting the transmitter on the carapace – To insure proper placement of the transmitter, a silicone elastomer base is used to provide a level surface on the carapace.*

  3. Bonding the transmitter to the carapace – Strips of fiberglass cloth are placed over the transmitter.  Fiberglass resin is applied to the fiberglass cloth to bond the transmitter to the carapace.*

  4. Transmitter type and duty cycle – ST-19 Argos PTT satellite transmitters from Telonics, Inc. (Mesa, AZ) are used.  Each transmitter weighs approximately 63 g.  Duty cycles were programmed 4 hrs on /44 hrs off or 4 hrs on/68 hrs off to insure maximum operation life of the transmitters.

 

  *Balazs, et al. 1996.  Procedures to attach a satellite transmitter to the carapace of an adult green turtle, Chelonia mydas.  Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-387.