Marine protected areas and migratory species: residency of green turtles at Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific

Green turtles at Palmyra Atoll exhibit remarkable residency patterns, with most remaining within the protected area's boundaries for extended periods. Satellite telemetry and flipper tagging over six years revealed high site fidelity, small home ranges, and minimal long-distance movement despite being a migratory species. Only one tracked turtle ventured beyond the atoll, traveling ~5600 km in a near-circular loop. This behavior suggests Palmyra's protected waters serve as a critical, high-quality habitat with low turnover, emphasizing its importance for regionally endangered turtles. The study highlights the potential of marine protected areas to support long-term residency in migratory species.

Naro-Maciel, E., Arengo, F., Galante, P., Vintinner, E., Holmes, K., Balazs, G., & Sterling, E. (2018). Marine protected areas and migratory species: residency of green turtles at Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific. Endangered Species Research, 37, 165–182. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00922