Harnessing new technology to unlock the secrets of flatback sea turtles in the Top End

A new tracking harness for flatback sea turtles has found some are travelling hundreds of kilometres out to sea, helping to unlock the secrets of these mysterious creatures. AusTurtle chairman Mick Guinea, who's been researching sea turtles in the Top End for the last 28 years, said previously tracking of the flatbacks had been problematic. Trials proving a success Dr Guinea said the new harness had proved far more successful for long term tracking projects, already tracking one turtle for more than 300 consecutive days since trials began last year. "We trialled it last September on two turtles at Bare Sand Island and one of them are still transmitting after 337 days," he said, "She done about 6000km in that time, she's now just about 200km away from Bare Sand Island, so she's making her way back. AusTurtle researchers Dr Mick Guinea and Andrew Raith attaching the new harness on a Flat Back Sea Turtle on Bare Sand Island.