# Between the Atolls: Sea Turtle Nesting in the Maldives from 2018 to 2024

## TL;DR

This study tracks sea turtle nesting in the Maldives from 2018 to 2024, showing green turtles dominate nesting with high hatching success, but nests face threats like flooding and illegal collection.

## Contribution

The study provides the first comprehensive multi-year dataset on sea turtle nesting in the Maldives using citizen science and targeted monitoring.

## Key findings

- Green sea turtles were the main nesting species, with 1086 nests recorded from 2018 to 2024.
- Nest hatching success was high, with a median of 90.91% and incubation lasting 59 days.
- Nest inundation and illegal take were identified as the primary threats to sea turtle nests.

## Abstract

Sea turtles are an important part of the marine environment in the Maldives, and they are known to reproduce in the country. With the help of citizen scientists and a dedicated team, sea turtle nesting was documented from 2018 to 2024. The main species nesting in the country was the green sea turtle, with additional nests observed from hawksbills and olive ridleys. Sea turtles nested year-round, with a peak from June to September. Nests laid on beaches throughout the Maldives took around 59 days to hatch, with over 90% of the eggs hatching successfully in most nests. Flooding during high tides and extreme weather conditions together with illegal take were the main threat to sea turtle nests.

Sea turtles are a vital part of the marine ecosystem in the Maldives. While five species have been recorded in-water in the country, only two have been historically known to nest here: hawksbills and greens. In this study, we present cumulative data from targeted nest monitoring in combination with ad hoc reports from citizen scientists and marine biologists from 2018 to 2024, with the aim of providing the first comprehensive multi-year dataset on sea turtle nesting activity in the Maldives. Sea turtle nests were recorded from nearly all atolls. The majority were laid by green turtles (n = 1086), in addition to a small number of hawksbill (n = 47), olive ridley (n = 14) and unknown species (n = 65) nests. Nesting occurs year-round, with a peak during the southwest monsoon season from June to September. Median hatching success rate was 90.91% (SD = 15.87) and incubation lasted a median of 59 days (SD = 4.79). Nest inundation and illegal take were identified as the main threats to sea turtle nests, while incidences of egg predation were an exception. The findings of this study will help to clarify conservation priorities and management strategies for sea turtles in the Maldives.