The diving behaviour of inter-nesting hawksbill turtles (Linnaeus 1766) Eretmochelys imbricata on Milman Island Reef QLD, Australia

An investigation into the behaviour of hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, during their 14 -day (average) in -water inter -nesting period was undertaken. Time, Depth and Temperature data loggers (TDRs) were deployed eleven times on nine turtles during the 1997/98 and 1998/99 nesting seasons at Milman Island in north Queensland. TDRs were attached to turtles that had successfully laid a clutch of eggs, and were also attached to turtles that had failed in their initial attempt to nest, to determine their behaviour during the short one to two day periods they spent at sea before attempting to re -nest.