Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Marine Turtles: Investigation of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tags and Readers

• Published in: Marine turtle newsletter no. 145; p. 4
• Main Authors: Epperly, Sheryan P, Stokes, Lesley W, Belskis, Lisa C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Swansea Seaturtle.org 01.04.2015
• Subjects: Dermochelys coriacea; Monitoring systems; Radio frequency identification; Reptiles & amphibians; Technology adoption; AN, North Atlantic
• ISSN: 0839-7708; 0839-7708

The insertion of a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag into marine turtles provided one of the first means of permanent marketing, and today the tags are used widely. PIT tags, also known as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, are not subject to tag loss in the same way that external flipper tags are, and therefore they provide a mechanism to track recaptures throughout the turtle's lifespan. Data obtained through recaptures can provide valuable scientific information regarding growth, movement patterns, incidental fishery interactions, and survival. Epperly et al explain the basics of RFID technology as applied to marine turtles, point out inconsistencies in the use of this technology by researchers using western North Atlantic leatherbacks, Dermochelys coriacea, as an example, and provide some guidance for future use.