A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) being moved with straps and a mechanical hoist

Alternative Title

Loading R/V Alpha Helix

Creator

John C. OgdenFollow

Files

Preview

Creation Date

11-1-1977

Abstract

Photograph of a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) being lifted and transported by straps and a mechanical hoist onto the R/V [Research Vessel] Alpha Helix. This green sea turtle was purchased by the research scientists of the R/V Alpha Helix from indigenous Miskito fishermen. The Miskito people are a Central American indigenous group who have historically hunted sea turtles around the area of the Miskito Cays, Nicaragua. The researchers encountered the Miskito fishermen at the Miskito Cays during their research expedition and interacted with them, asking them about the green sea turtles and their feeding grounds around the Miskito Cays. The researchers purchased the turtle in this photograph from the Miskito fisherman to perform a scientific dissection upon it. The turtle had a tracking tag on it which was confirmed by Dr. Archie Carr as one that had been placed at Aves Island over 500 miles to the east of the Miskito Cays, indicating the turtle had traveled a vast distance. The turtle was a large female, weighing 345 pounds. This photograph was taken near the Miskito Cays, Nicaragua during the research expedition of Dr. John C. Ogden and his colleagues to Miskito Bank, Nicaragua aboard the R/V Alpha Helix from October 13, 1977 to November 18, 1977 where their research included studies on seagrasses, fish, sea urchins, and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Keywords

Marine biology--Research, Miskito Coast (Nicaragua and Honduras), Sea turtles, Sea turtle fisheries, Green sea turtle

Extent

2 x 2 inches cardboard projector slide with Kodachrome 35mm color photographic film

Physical Collection

Dr. John Ogden Caribbean and Coral Reef collection

Digital Date

2023

Media Type

Color slides

Identifier

O19-00049

Recommended Citation

Ogden, John C., "A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) being moved with straps and a mechanical hoist" (1977). Binder 4: Photographs and Images. Image 37.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ogden_images/37