First Confirmed East-West Transpacific Movement of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta, Released in Baja California, Mexico

Abstract

In July 1994 a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) was released from the central Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula. Four hundred and seventy-eight days later the turtle was found by a fisherman off the coast of Kyushu, Japan. This represents a one-way transpacific migration of more than 10,000 km. This report is a reminder of the importance of international collaboration in marine research and conservation.