Thank you for visiting my page! I would like to use this blog to introduce the type of research and conservation work that myself and colleagues do in Taiwan.

Taiwan is a small, subtropical island nation located approximately 200km off the east coast of China, and includes several offshore island territories. The seas surrounding Taiwan are home to several species of sea turtle, and certain southern Taiwanese islands are used predominantly by nesting green turtles.

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is the most commonly seen nesting turtle, but other species can be observed through strandings and fisheries by-catch. These are (in order of abundance):

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Historically, green turtles nested throughout the main island of Taiwan. Over time however, the nesting populations were decimated due to egg collection and direct consumption of female turtles.

In 1992, Dr. I-Jiunn Cheng and his students at National Taiwan Ocean University began studying the sea turtles in Taiwan, and were able to design and implement protected areas in the offshore islands which sea turtles continue nest on. This is the team that I am proud to be a part of. I joined Dr. Cheng's sea turtle turtle research lab nearly two years ago.

Research is conducted by our team at the following rookeries; click for their profile:

WangAn Island – Located in the shallow seas of the Taiwan Strait, off the west coast of Taiwan. It bears several long, sweeping coral beaches and is home to the longest-running research program in the country.

Orchid Island (LanYu) – Formed by volcanic activity, Orchid Island is situated in the deep seas off the eastern coast of Taiwan. The lush green inactive volcanoes are reminiscent of some Hawaiian Islands, and it is home to black, volcanic beaches. 

XiaoLiuChiu Island – This island was formed by the emergence of an ancient coral reef. It has a small number of coral beaches suitable for nesting, and surrounded by lush, healthy coral reefs that host a relatively high number of sea turtles year-round.

TaiPing Island (NanSha) – A tiny, remote and military-controlled island in the Spratly Archipelago in the South China Sea.

The Pratas Islands (DongSha) – A remote, politically contested collection of three islands formed by a coral atoll, also controlled by the Taiwanese military. 

Volunteer research opportunity in Taiwan!

The marine turtle research team at National Taiwan Ocean University is seeking volunteer research assistants for 23rd year of studying green turtle nesting at WangAn Island, Taiwan. Follow the link for more information! http://seaturtle.org/jobs/index.shtml?view=943

Thank you for visiting my page! I would like to use this blog to introduce the type of research and conservation work that myself and colleagues do in Taiwan.

Taiwan is a small, subtropical island nation located approximately 200km off the east coast of China, and includes several offshore island territories. The seas surrounding Taiwan are home to several species of sea turtle, and certain southern Taiwanese islands are used predominantly by nesting green turtles.

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is the most commonly seen nesting turtle, but other species can be observed through strandings and fisheries by-catch. These are (in order of abundance):

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Historically, green turtles nested throughout the main island of Taiwan. Over time however, the nesting populations were decimated due to egg collection and direct consumption of female turtles.

In 1992, Dr. I-Jiunn Cheng and his students at National Taiwan Ocean University began studying the sea turtles in Taiwan, and were able to design and implement protected areas in the offshore islands which sea turtles continue nest on. This is the team that I am proud to be a part of. I joined Dr. Cheng's sea turtle turtle research lab nearly two years ago.

Research is conducted by our team at the following rookeries; click for their profile:

WangAn Island – Located in the shallow seas of the Taiwan Strait, off the west coast of Taiwan. It bears several long, sweeping coral beaches and is home to the longest-running research program in the country.

Orchid Island (LanYu) – Formed by volcanic activity, Orchid Island is situated in the deep seas off the eastern coast of Taiwan. The lush green inactive volcanoes are reminiscent of some Hawaiian Islands, and it is home to black, volcanic beaches. 

XiaoLiuChiu Island – This island was formed by the emergence of an ancient coral reef. It has a small number of coral beaches suitable for nesting, and surrounded by lush, healthy coral reefs that host a relatively high number of sea turtles year-round.

TaiPing Island (NanSha) – A tiny, remote and military-controlled island in the Spratly Archipelago in the South China Sea.

The Pratas Islands (DongSha) – A remote, politically contested collection of three islands formed by a coral atoll, also controlled by the Taiwanese military. 

Research: Sea Turtle Stranding, By-Catch and Rehabilitation

Five species of turtle can be found stranded on beaches or incidentally captured by local fisheries throughout Taiwan. A hot-spot for sea turtle by-catch in pound net fisheries is DongAo, Northern Taiwan. It is thought that this area is an important migratory route for loggerhead and green turtles.

These include (in order of abundance):

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

When a turtle is found stranded or caught while fishing, the Taiwan Coast Guard administration notifies our team, and we travel to the turtle's location and determine what steps need to be taken based on the situation.

 With deceased turtles, if turtle condition permits:

- Collection of biometric information.
- Tissue sample collection.
- Necropsy to determine the cause of death.
- Analysis of stomach contents.

Healthy turtle procedure:

- Biometric data is collected: curved carapace length and width, straight carapace length and width.
- Satellite transmitters are sometimes attached to by-caught and stranded turtles that have been fully rehabilitated.
- The health turtles is assessed, which includes determining the presence and/or degree of fibropapillomatosis, ectoparasite (sea turtle leech) assessment and collection, abnormality and injury assessment (boat trauma, entanglement trauma, shark bite, mating-related injuries, etc.).
- Blood and tissue samples are also collected.
- The turtle is tagged with Taiwanese inconel tags (TW####).
- Turtles are released promptly after data and samples are collected, occasionally with a satellite tracker.

Injured and/or unhealthy turtle procedure:

- All of the above, but turtles are first taken to a specialist vet at National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital for assessment, then rehabilitated at National Taiwan Ocean University as per the vet’s recommendations.

Here is a link to the story of a Japanese-tagged green turtle that stranded in Northern Taiwan, was rehabilitated and released with a satellite tracker:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/04/09/environment/japan-turtle-finds-haven-in-taiwan/#.U0aKevmSySo

Research: In-Water Studies

In XiaoLiuChiu Island, we conduct in-water research related to population estimates and habitat use year-round.

Snorkelling and scuba diving transects are strategically completed around the island’s coast. Turtles are photographed on both sides of the head if possible. The shape and number of postocular scales has proven very useful for identifying individual turtles for mark-recapture and population estimation.

The location and behaviour of turtles is also recorded.

This way, we can determine which habitats are being utilized by sea turtles, and what for (resting, mating, foraging, etc). This information is critical to the management of aquatic habitats in XiaoLiuChiu, which is important for the island’s growing tourism industry and the subsequent boat traffic, seafood demand, construction and other concerns that are linked with such growth. 

Research: Nesting Beaches

During the months of July and August, nightly patrols are carried out at WangAn Island, Orchid Island and XiaoLiuChiu by graduate students and volunteers, in search of nesting turtles. Each island has between 4 and 7 separate nesting beaches. Multiple teams are simultaneously dispatched to cover all the beaches throughout the night, between 8pm – 4am. Travel between the research stations and beaches are done by motorcycle or scooter. Constant radio communication is kept between the teams and the research station. 

During the night patrols, the following procedures are followed:

- Biometric data is collected: curved carapace length and width, straight carapace length and width.

- Satellite transmitters are sometimes attached to nesting female turtles.

- The health of nesting turtles is assessed, which includes determining the presence and/or degree of fibropapillomatosis, ectoparasite (sea turtle leach) assessment and collection, abnormality and injury assessment (boat trauma, entanglement trauma, shark bite, mating-related injuries, etc.).

- Biological samples are also collected from nesting turtles: blood samples, tissue samples.

- Nests are marked and protected from predation by feral dogs and two snake species that predate eggs and/or hatchlings.

- Data is collected from marked nests after the turtle has completed nesting: egg number, size and weight.

- Hatchling turtles are also studied prior to release:  checked for health and abnormalities, biometrics (same protocol as for nesting females) and weight.

Being the dedicated and hard-working team we are, there is very little time for rest at our stations. So during the daytime, an entirely different set of activities are carried out by our students and volunteers:

- Nest excavations are conducted, which includes determining hatching success, emergence success, nest success, failed embryo staging, embryo deformities and the collection of biometric data, assessment of health and deformity in any encountered hatchlings prior to release.

- Regular cleaning of nesting beaches involves removal of ghost nets, fishing line, and various forms of garbage ranging between plastic products and entire motorcycles. Fishing nets and lines are also removed from reefs through snorkelling or scuba diving.

- Educational presentations on sea turtle conservation and biology are provided for locals and tourists visiting the islands in Chinese, English or Spanish.

- In XiaoLiuChiu Island, we conduct in-water research related to population estimates and habitat use year-round.

Rookery Profile: Pratas Island

English name: Pratas Island (Dongsha)

Chinese name:  東沙群島 (Dong-Sha-Chu-Dao)

View Larger Map Location: 20.7167° N, 116.7000° E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 1994 (only occasional, short research trips)

Predominant species: Green turtle and hawksbill

Interesting facts:                                            
- The area is controlled by the military; between 300 and 500 marines live here.
- This island is also involved in a territorial dispute between Taiwan and China.
- The island is semicircular in shape, with a shallow lagoon in the middle, which serves as a “nursery” area for a large number of lemon sharks (Negapryon brevirostris).

Selected readings:

Cheng, I-J. 2007. The nesting ecology and post-nesting migration of sea turtles on Taipin Tao, Nansha Archipelago, South China Sea. Chelonia Conserv. Biol. 6(2): 277-282.

Cheng, I-J. 2000. Sea turtles at Dungsha Tao (Pratas Island) and Taipin Tao (Spratly Islands), South China Sea. in Pilcher, N. and G. Ismail (eds.) “Sea Turtles of the Indo-Pacific: Research, Management and Conservation” pp. 59-68. ASEAN Academic Press, London.

Rookery Profile: TaiPing Island

English name: TaiPing Island

Chinese name: 太平島 (Tai-Ping-Dao)


View Larger Map Location: 10.3750° N, 114.3667° E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 1995 (only occasional, short research trips)

Predominant species: There is an relatively high number of sea turtles nesting on this small, remote island. The number of sea turtles nesting each year likely exceeds that of any other Taiwanese rookery. However, data on this nesting population is limited due to the fact that the island is extremely remote, and the military allows very limited stays on the island. During peak season, over 20 turtles can be encountered nesting in one night.

Interesting facts:
- Turtle research patrols here are always accompanied by an armed military escort.
- This island is also claimed by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines and Brunei.

Selected readings:

Cheng, I-J. 2007. The nesting ecology and post-nesting migration of sea turtles on Taipin Tao, Nansha Archipelago, South China Sea. Chelonia Conserv. Biol. 6(2): 277-282.

Cheng, I-J. 2000. Sea turtles at Dungsha Tao (Pratas Island) and Taipin Tao (Spratly Islands), South China Sea. in Pilcher, N. and G. Ismail (eds.) “Sea Turtles of the Indo-Pacific: Research, Management and Conservation” pp. 59-68. ASEAN Academic Press, London.

Rookery Profile: XiaoLiuChiu Island

English name: XiaoLiuChiu Island

Chinese name: 小琉球 (Xiao-Liu-Chiu)


View Larger Map Location:  22.3386° N, 120.3698° E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 2011

Predominant species: A small number (<15) of nesting green turtles have been recorded on the beaches of this island since 2011. However, there is a relatively high number in the waters around this island year-round. Based on a study using facial photo-identification of individual turtles in the water, it is estimated that there are over 100 individuals.

Interesting facts:
- This island has the highest concentration of temples in Taiwan (6/km²).
- Due to the fact that this is a coral island, there are many interesting cave complexes.
- A well-known local delicacy is barbecued sausage with flying fish eggs.
- XiaoLiuChiu is an excellent scuba diving location, due to its healthy and abundant coral, fish and sea turtles.

Rookery Profile: Orchid Island

English name: Orchid Island

Chinese name: (Lan-Yu-Dao)


View Larger Map Location: 22.0500° N, 121.5333° E

Sand type: Volcanic

Studied since: 1997

Predominant species: This island is home to the second largest intensively-studied green turtle nesting population in Taiwan.

Interesting facts:
- Taiwan kukri snakes (Oligodon formosanus) are a known predator of turtle eggs on this island.
- Orchid Island is home to several rare species that are endemic to this island alone, such as the Lanyu scops owl (Otus elegans), and a rare endemic orchid (Phalaenopsis equestris).
- The majority of the island is inhabited by local aboriginal people (known as the Tao, or Yami people) who have a rich and interesting culture very closely linked to the ocean and its marine life.
- National Geographic magazine determined that the language of these local aboriginals is one of the top 10 endangered languages on earth.
- The waters surrounding the island have a high density and diversity of sea snakes.
- Orchid Island is also home to a nuclear waste storage facility.

Selected readings:

Cheng I-J, Dutton PH, Chen C-L, Chen H-C, Chen Y-H, Shea, J-W. 2008. Comparison of the Genetics and Nesting Ecology of Two Green Turtle Rookeries in Taiwan. J Zoology 276(4): 375-384.

Cheng I-J, Huang C-T, Hung P-Y, Ke B-Z, Kuo C-W, Fong C. 2009. A ten year monitoring of the nesting ecology of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, on Lanyu Island, Taiwan.  Zool Stud 48(1): 83-94.

Rookery Profile: WangAn Island

English name: WangAn Island

Chinese name: 望安嶼 (Wang-An-Dao)


View Larger Map Location: 23°21′25.4N 119°30′1.2 E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 1992

Predominant species: This island is home to the largest intensively-studied green turtle nesting population in Taiwan.

Interesting facts:
- Many local residents are small-scale farmers of fishermen.
- The WangAn Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Centre was established here in 2002, and contains housing and laboratory facilities for researchers, as well as a natural history museum for the public.
- Hawksbill turtles have been observed in the waters around this island, but have not been seen nesting.
- Many ancient Japanese colonial houses remain intact on the island.
- Brown sugar cakes are a local delicacy special to this island.

Selected readings:

Roden SE, Morin PA, Frey A, Balazs GH, Zarate P, Cheng I-J, Dutton PH. Green turtle population structure in the Pacific: new insights from single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites. Endang Spec Res. 20: 227-234

Cheng I-J, Dutton PH, Chen C-L, Chen H-C, Chen Y-H, Shea, J-W. 2008. Comparison of the Genetics and Nesting Ecology of Two Green Turtle Rookeries in Taiwan. J Zoology 276(4): 375-384.(SCI)

Chen, H-C., Cheng, I-J., Hong E. 2007. The influence of the beach environment on the digging success and nest site distribution of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas on Wan-an Island, Penghu Archipelago, Taiwan. J. Coastal Res. 23(5): 1277-1286.(SCI)

Cheng, I-J. 2000. Post-nesting migrations of green turtles at Wan-An Island, Penghu Archipelago, Taiwan. Mar. Biol. 137: 747-754.

Chen, T-H. and Cheng, I-J. 1995. Breeding biology of the green turtle,Chelonia mydas, (Reptilia: Cheloniidae) on Wan-An Island, Peng-Hu Archipelago, Taiwan. I. Nesting ecology. Mar. Biol. 124: 9-15.

Wang, H-C and Cheng, I-J. 1999. Breeding biology of the green turtle,Chelonia mydas, (Reptilia: Cheloniidae) on Wan-An Island, Peng-Hu Archipelago, Taiwan. II. Nest site selection. Mar. Biol. 133: 603-609.