Photo of flatback with satellite transmitter at EcoBeach in the Kimberley by Dave and Fiona Harvey.

In Northwestern Australia over the past five years, an estimated 60 flatbacks have been fitted with satellite tracking devices after nesting, mostly by oil company consultants as part of environmental review for new oil and gas developments. A PTT tag or Platform Terminal Transmitter (PTT) is a small satellite transmitter attached to a sea turtle in order to monitor its movements and/or behavior. The tracking shows a concentration of female sea turtles transiting the nearshore waters of the Pilbara and Kimberley coasts to feeding grounds in the Timor Sea.

To view the latest tracking data, go to http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/ and look for the following tracking programs. You can sign up for automatic updates into your email. You must create an account first.

Eco Beach http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=567

Barrow Island http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=575

Barrow Island Barrow Island flatback tracking 2009-2010

Port Hedland/Cemetery Beach http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=574

TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THE KIMBERLEY'S FLATBACKS.