The migratory behaviour of sea turtles makes it both exciting and nerve wracking to follow their migration paths. Historically we in South Africa collectively have applied more than 100 satellite tags on leatherback, loggerhead, green and hawksbill sea turtles. From deploying these satellite transmitters, we have learned that turtles can move amazing distances. This map shows:

• We typically have two behaviours; resident behaviours from mostly green and hawksbill turtles that stay in South African waters year-round, and migratory behaviours from mostly adult loggerhead and leatherback turtles that feed in other countries but nest in South Africa.

• The broad ranging nature and different habitats that sea turtles use also make them vulnerable to a variety of threats on and off beaches.

• Ongoing research in South Africa will assess the current impacts from fisheries in South African waters.