Hawaii's Turtles Help Science Through Honu Count

Hawaiian green sea turtles, known locally as honu, are the subject of a unique community-driven conservation effort. Initially, peculiar markings on their shells were misidentified as graffiti. However, these are temporary, non-toxic white alphanumeric codes applied by NOAA researchers for tracking migration patterns, which can span over 1,200 miles to nesting sites.

The public's concern about the markings led to the creation of the Honu Count project in 2017. This initiative invites beachgoers and swimmers to report sightings of marked turtles, including their location and the date. This citizen science approach significantly expands the geographical data scientists can collect.

Since its inception, the Honu Count has received nearly 600 reports detailing 688 sightings of 253 different turtles. This data is crucial for accurately evaluating the Hawaiian green sea turtle population, identifying foraging grounds, and understanding habitat utilization.

Beyond data collection, the Honu Count project raises public awareness about sea turtle research and conservation. It demonstrates how citizen involvement can effectively supplement traditional monitoring methods, like satellite tracking, offering a cost-effective way to gather valuable insights into the species' response to environmental changes.