Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Bryan (1974) noted that Enderbury was called the most important green turtle breeding island
in the south central Pacific (see also King 1973).
Balazs (1975) did not visit Enderbury, but reported that there was heavy nesting along the
eastern and western coasts during October and November. Nesting also probably occurred
throughout the year.
Dahl (1980) reported that sea turtle nesting was common on Abariringa (Canton) and
Enderbury. Dahl (1980) recommended that Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury turtle
breeding areas be protected.
Garnett (1983) noted that Enderbury was considered by the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey
Programme (in the 1960s) to be the most important nesting rookery for green turtles,
Chelonia mydas, in the Phoenix Islands and perhaps the entire central Pacific Ocean (see also
King 1973).
In January 2000, two turtle tracks were observed near the southwest end of Enderbury
(Kepler 2000).
In 2000, all Enderbury beaches were surveyed. There was no evidence of turtle nesting
(Stone et al 2001). During dive surveys around Enderbury, 5 green turtles were observed.
In 2002, turtle surveys were conducted on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie, Enderbury, Manra,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (Obura and Stone 2003). Results of these turtle surveys are
presented in Table III-4.14 above.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) noted that Enderbury was still one of the most important
green turtle, Chelonia mydas, nesting sites in the central Pacific.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that turtle nest counts on Enderbury indicated that it was an
important island for green turtle, Chelonia mydas, breeding.
Kerr and Wragg (2006) reported their 2006 observations of marine turtles on Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki. Results are provided in Table
III-4.15 above.
Kerr and Wragg (2006) also conducted shoreline surveys for old (>1 year old) and new (< 1
year old) turtle nests and turtle tracks on Birnie, Enderbury, Manra, McKean, Nikumaroro,
Orona, and Rawaki. Results of these surveys are provided in Figure III-4.16 above.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that no evidence of recent (1 to 2 months) turtle nesting on
Birnie, Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki. However, several old nests
were observed (see Table III-4.17 above).
MANRA (SYDNEY)
Turtles were occasionally obtainable on Manra (Sydney) (Hydrographic Office 1916).
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