Satellite tracking improves conservation outcomes for nesting hawksbill turtles in Solomon Islands

The remote tracking of endangered animals is often justified by the application movement data to conservation problems, but examples where scientific findings have rapidly informed actions are relatively rare. In this study we satellite tracked 30 adult female hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) that were captured after nesting in Arnavon Community Marine Park (ACMP), Solomon Islands. Ten tagged April 2016, ten May 2017 and November 2018. Our primary aim was determine if ACMP boundaries demarcated 1995 large enough protect throughout their entire season. home range analysis revealed collectively, spent 98.5% inter-nesting season within ACMP, confirming original park adequate. first year's results shared with community government stakeholders assisted getting declared as Islands national 2017. fine scale habitats also highlighted most turtle nests being laid on an island did not a permanent ranger presence experiencing persistent poaching. Based finding additional station established uninhabited staffed rangers demonstrates how involving community, NGO applied research can lead utilised inform policy practice soon they become available.