Turtle Awareness and Protection Studies (TAPS)

2019 Research Update

June - September

Roatan			For the 2019 research season Splash Inn has been a proud supporter of the ProTECTOR, Inc. research and has provided excellent support and resources for the accomplishment of all our field work this year.
A hawksbill searches for algae and sponges under a coral outcrop.		Finally finding its meal, the hawksbill digs in.
Corina Bonilla and her family from Guatemala were fellow divers at the Splash Inn. They were very excited to lean of their support of sea turtle research and the importance of their study.		This juvenile hawksbill glides effortlessly over the reef.
Amongst a group of interns, volunteers, and curious onlookers, Dr. Dunbar scrapes ectosymbionts from this turtle's shell.		The proTECTOR group takes one last picture before release.
Nellie Covert, an intern, looks for sea turtles in amongst the reef.		Posing behind a branching gorgonian species, a green turtle takes a short rest.
A visitor (L) poses with Dr. Dunbar (R) just before the turtle is released back into the reef.		Zoe Aquila (L) and Nellie Covert (R) watching the sunset at the West End.
While searching for food, most sea turtles do not shy away from divers on the proTECTOR team.		Prized for their ornate shell patterns, hawksbill sea turtles face constant threat from poachers.
A photo of a sea turtle actively searching for food growing on the reef shelf.		Enjoing the ride, Stephen Wilkinson smiles as he flies through the air on his zip line.
Seb (L) and Voicu Tulai (L) on the lookout for sea turtles.		Seb and Rasvan, Tori Bolin (C), and Dr. Dunbar (L) take a close-up after collecting samples.
Jo Shannon (L) and Sean Richards (R) waiting for the turtle TURTLE Ed. talk, held at the Splash Inn.		Joe Matute, captain of the ProTECTOR, releases a juvenile hawksbill.
Laura Yilmazcetin was of great help while volunteering with PROtector. She learned much from her first-hand experiences.		Swimming amongst a school of Atlantic Tangs, Mark Oliinik enjoys his time under the surface.
Miranda Wredberg about to release this turtle back to its home reef.		A contented proTECTOR volunteer, Razvan Orban, taking a picture in front of one of the many Hibiscus bushes.
Sean Richards (L) and Miranda Wredberg (R) posing for a picture just above the reef.		Dr. Dunbar giving one of many TURTLE Ed. talks at the Splash Inn.
At an evening program for the children of Diamond Rock, Dr. Dunbar explains the importance of sea turtle conservation.		Intern Tori Bolin swims over the rock formations, searching for signs of turtle activity.
Staff engage in an exercise showing how pollution traps and entangles nesters from reaching top of the beach to lay their eggs.		Posing against the oceanic backdrop, a green allows their picture to be taken.
A sea turtle floats just above a shelf of coral and gorgonians.
Utila
While monitorying the Utila nesting beach, Robert (L), Walker (C), and Mark (R) take a short rest.		Mark Oliinik (L) and Walker Johnson (R) enjoying some fresh coconut.
This Utila nesting beach, threatened by erosion and human activities, contains many of the nesting sites of the area.		As erosion grows each year, the nesting area steadly decreases.
Private housing is now being deveolped on the site of the nesting beach, which may impact future nesting activity.
		Happening upon the proTECTOR team at night, local police and military, protecting against poachers, asked to take a picture with Dr. Dunbar.
Guanaja
A freshly applied tag shown on the right flipper of a nesting sea turtle.