We now have a wonderful opportunity to undertake telemetry studies. We have to attach one of these small electronic transmitters onto a honu & we will then be able to track its voyaging.
When the honu surfaces to breathe the transmitter sends its location to satellites out in space. Even if no data are sent for a few days we still learn the migratory pathways. Importantly we can understand if we share a honu with another country. This helps us better protect these endangered animals throughout their range & life-cycle (Orahanga).
This is a nice way of using modern technology, fieldwork & traditional knowledge. Our ancestors knew that honu are Voyagers. So do we.
We recently held a Science Fair at Omoka School to demonstrate three biodiversity projects that we ran in 2014. We awarded several prizes: one was "Scientists of the Year".
Two of our research team: Tukuau & Tuakanameitaki holding a Telonics transmitter.