Reducing the Impact of Tagging on Flatback Turtles Using Double Passive Integrated Transponder Tags

All monitoring programs on the west coast of Australia have trialed a new mark-recapture protocol to address tag loss in individual flatback turtles (Natator depressus) during recent nesting seasons (2020, 2021, 2022). This protocol aligns with ethical considerations for the tagging of marine megafauna. In addition to increasing retention rate of identification tags, this new protocol is expected to decrease the potential long-term health impacts of tagging on this species.