The “Lost Year” Question in Young Sea Turtles

An adequate understanding of young sea turtle dispersal patterns is necessary for effective management of threatened or endangered species. Such patterns are poorly understood, and the term “lost year” has been adopted to emphasize this gap in sea turtle life history information. Tag returns from pen-reared yearling sea turtles indicate ocean current dispersal. Evidence indicates hatchlings would be similarly dispersed by ocean currents. Feeding studies with tank-held animals suggest that food resources are available in ocean currents for long-term sea turtle survival. Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) growth appears slow in nature.