Loggerhead sea turtles are apparently good at keeping secrets. Their ability to navigate and orient the ocean, while returning to their natal beaches long remained a mystery. Like many species, their juvenile years became known as the “lost years” as scientists struggled to determine where they went. Now recent research from published in Biological Conservation has revealed two previously undiscovered feeding hot spots in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea turtles may have advanced skills in avoiding detection in the ocean, but the satellite tags that several females were fitted with gave up their secret. Many of the turtles headed for a foraging site off Florida’s Southwest Coast, but several also visited grounds near the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is not known what is so attractive about these areas, but knowing that they are important to the turtles could have favorable results, especially in an area with declining loggerhead numbers.

This research marks a new direction in sea turtle conservation. Previous efforts to protect and manage populations focused primarily on their nesting sites. Since this is where turtles spend but the smallest minority of their life, it may not be the most effective strategy. Having seen a turtle lumber across the sand, you are instantly aware that this is not the habitat their long flippers were suited for. Looking at other aspects of their life histories could result in more robust policies and strategies to protect the turtles.

Tuesday marked an interesting day in sea turtle conservation. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AOHCC) filed a petition with the federal government to classify the green turtles found around Hawaii as a distinct population segment. To do so, however, the Hawaiian green turtle would need to be removed from the Endangered Species Act.

Proponents of the petition have some scientific support for their cause. Honu, as the Hawaiian green turtle is locally known, have strong nesting success. Since the 1970s, the nesting population has been increasing an average of 5.7% each year. These green sea turtles nest in the Hawaiian Islands, most within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (an area the size of California). Adults also seem to remain in the area of the volcanic island chain.

Sea turtles in general are a highly migratory species, traveling through many different waters. For many years their juvenile life remained a mystery. They were seen crawling from a nest, then seemingly vanished, only to return years later as mature adults. Green turtles are also extremely slow in maturing, sometimes not reaching maturity until 35-40 years of age. As a species, the green sea turtle is threatened throughout its range, with the exception of Florida and Mexico’s Pacific Coast – where they are endangered.

The delisting of the honu would not leave it unprotected. Management would transfer to Hawaii. AOHCC Preseident Soulee Stroud has said, “This would be wonderful to bring the management of this important cultural animal back to the people of Hawaii.” Since the honu has cultural and religious significance in Hawaii, there is no doubt that they would work hard to protect them, but could this open a dangerous precedent? Should a migratory species be broken into distinct population segments?