Marine Turtles and Dugongs of Torres Strait: Aerial and Tracking Data, 2011-2014

A project dataset from James Cook University assessing the status of threatened green, hawksbill, and flatback turtles and dugongs in the Torres Strait. The data includes seasonal surveys of foraging and nesting sites, satellite tracking of dugongs and turtles, and aerial surveys conducted in 2011 and 2013. Analysis incorporates historical data on turtle abundance dating back to 1992.

Use Cases

• Modeling population status and trends based on seasonal survey data of foraging and nesting sites.
• Analyzing movement patterns and population connectivity using satellite tracking data of dugongs and green turtles.
• Estimating dugong abundance in the Torres Strait using aerial survey data from 2011 and 2013.
• Investigating nesting success, hatchling production, and predation levels at specific island sites like Bramble Cay and Deliverance Island.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple data collection methods including aerial surveys, satellite tracking, and on-ground seasonal surveys.
• Incorporates historical survey data on turtles collected since 1992, providing a long-term context.
• Project conducted in conjunction with Torres Strait Regional Authorities and Community Ranger programs, suggesting community involvement.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data freshness should be verified; the last metadata update is dated 2026-07-10.

Provenance

Source

James Cook University (JCU), Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Aerial surveys, satellite tracking, seasonal community surveys, remote camera deployments, and genetic sampling.

Time Range

Primary data collection 2011-2014, with historical analysis incorporating data from 1992 onwards.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-10 22:17:02.827181; freshness should be verified

Geography

Torres Strait, including specific sites like Bramble Cay, Dowar Island, Sassie Island, Deliverance Island, and the Dugong Sanctuary.