Tagging Nesting Turtles The loggerhead sea turtle is a listed species under the Endangered Species Act of 1972 and is commonly found at Gray's Reef and nesting along Georgia's barrier islands. Over the years, researchers have learned much about the loggerhead's nesting behavior (i.e. seasonality, number of eggs, sites), but little is known about the animal's behavior when underwater, away from the beach- especially for the relatively small Georgia/South Carolina nesting population. Researchers hope to learn more about the swimming and resting behaviors, habitat utilization, and genetics of the post-nesting loggerhead sea turtle. To capture a nesting turtle, researchers scout barrier island beaches for the unique tractor-like track left by the loggerhead sea turtle as she moves across the sand in search of a nesting site. When a suitable site is located a nesting turtle will dig her nest, lay her eggs (approximately 120), and cover the clutch with sand before heading back to sea. After a turtle has nested, and before she begins her long crawl to water, scientists place a wooden corral around the turtle. The turtle's carapace is then washed-to remove any sand which accumulated in the nesting process-and scraped, readying the surface for satellite transmitter attachment. Attachment utilizing the Gray's Reef NMS method.     Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Satellite Tagging Project (poster presented to the 1998 International Sea Turtle Symposium) Tagging Offshore Turtles Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) is one of the largest near shore live bottom habitats found on the South Atlantic Bight. As such it is an important habitat for sea turtles, including the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. The ledges and overhangs of the reef provide the loggerhead with protected resting spots, a bountiful resource of food, and close proximity to nesting sites on barrier island beaches. Although observations by sanctuary staff have documented the presence of loggerhead sea turtles within the sanctuary year round, little is known about the turtle's daily and seasonal behavior, nor their use of ocean habitats-especially those found off the coast of Georgia. Many studies have focused on easily accessible nesting and post-nesting of adult females, while little work has been conducted on the behavior and spatial use patterns of adult male and juvenile sea turtles. To capture a loggerhead offshore, a turtle is directed by divers into a hand held net, carried to the surface, and lifted onto a boat (boat lift and net were designed by Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary staff). The turtle is returned to the capture site after the transmitter has been attached and the adhesive has dried. **More information and data on Gray's Reef tagged turtles **