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Eckert & Sammy (2008) WIDECAST Database User Manual (ver4_1

1. Locked from Editing Record I4 lofi gt pl be Search Find the specific record or event you wish to change using the nagivation bar above etn Re The Merge Record button is a special feature of the WIDECAST database that allows you to merge two data records with different Turtle ID numbers under a single Turtle ID number This is useful if a new turtle has been observed and entered in the database and then later you discover that the turtle had already been entered in the database Example a turtle is observed nesting with no flipper tags and a PIT tag was not detected due to a malfunctioning PIT tag scanner a sadly common experience The turtle receives a new PIT tag and two new flipper tags and is then properly recorded in the database as a new turtle However later in the season the turtle is encountered again and it is discovered that she is carrying two PIT tags one of which was issued earlier in the nesting season or in a previous year and is associated with an existing Turtle ID number in your database The Merge Record button allows you to fix this discrepancy by re assigning her Turtle ID All records for this turtle will be then corrected in the database and her second now redundant ID will be permanently discarded PAGE 47 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Data Management for Hatching Events WIDECAST REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABA
2. Stranding Event Used to enter information on a stranding which refers to a turtle washing If there are no tags associated with the sea ashore unintentionally The turtle might be alive dead or comatose e g cold stunned or very ill This form is not designed for documenting a nest turtle use the unknown turtle code listed ing event on the data entry page as the tag number All turtles of unknown origin will use this Capture Event Used to enter information available from the intentional or unintentional nomenclature capture of a turtle at sea The module can be selected to record data col lected during a project designed to capture sea turtles for research pur poses or to record information on a turtle captured or entangled during Tag Sea rch fishing and later reported to the database manager or other authority Sighting Event Used to enter information on a sea turtle sighting Most such reports are opportunistic and data are often limited The sighting could be at sea Enter a Tag Number e g at the surface as reported by a ferry captain or underwater as re _ ear Search ported by a SCUBA diver or on land e g a turtle observed and reported If tag number is unknown use by a member of the general public If the sighting is a nesting event or a UnkLB Leatherback capture event it could be recorded in either this module or on the nesting Wi GESEN Addevent or capture modules Most often this form will be used f
3. Time Reburied Record the time that the nest was actually reburied at its new location This can be important because correlations might be found for example between hatch success and the time that elapses between the act of excavation and the act of reburial Location Name Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the Location Name from the list and click on it using the left mouse button If the Location Name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using a left mouse click on the New button Location Name is required if Zone see below will be used to further identify the event location The name used for Location should reflect the best supporting documentation such as that in dicated on an up to date navigational chart or national map Local common names for beaches can change creating confusion as future project personnel attempt to interpret the information Each location should eventually be identified by latitude and longitude An unlimited number of Location Names can be entered for each Country Relocation Zone Zones represent geographic subsets of the Location Names For example a nesting beach might be divided into distinct named or numbered sections we refer to these as Zones of that beach This feature will not activate on the data form unless a Location Name has been assigned to the event PAGE 18 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1
4. WIDECAST 2008 Hint If your Location is only subdivided into one series of sections e g a beach subdivided into 20 m sections along its entire length then it is best to establish a single Zone for this location Each section along this Zone can in turn be delineated with Landmarks see below Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places are available For longitudes west of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Landmark Landmarks are subservient to Relocated Zone Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the name of the Landmark and click on it using the left mouse button Distance to Landmark Measuring from two permanent Landmarks to the center of the relocated nest referred to as triangulation is the most accurate means to determine its exact location Accuracy is usually within a few centimeters depending on the quality of the Landmark This can be important if project personnel will want to find the nest later such as for the purpose of monitoring hatching activity Distance to HWM Enter the distance in meters between the center of the new nest cavity and the line of the High Water Mark HWM Distance to
5. Species If species has not been automatically entered it may be selected from a pull down menu of choices green turtle hawksbill Kemp s ridley leatherback loggerhead olive ridley Gender If gender has not been automatically completed it may be selected from a pull down menu Project Each project has a unique identification name or acronym This name should appear on the pull down menu If it does not it should be entered in the Project Management module Date Date is entered either as dd mm yyyy or mm dd yyyy depending on whether your computer uses American standard date format mm dd yyyy or European standard date format dd mm yyyy Always record the date and time when the stranded animal was found not the date and time when you think the animal may have washed ashore that information if available can be entered in Notes Time Time is entered in 12 hour format with the designator AM or PM e g 11 30 PM Weather Weather is selected from a pull down menu including Clear Overcast Rain Stormy Strong Wind Broken Clouds Unknown of Observers This value represents the number of observers near the turtle during its observation The value should include the data recorder and project personnel as well as any non project personnel e g tourists or visitors Observer The observer is the person who is reporting the sea turtle event Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the ob
6. mation or storage location For guidance on how to conduct a necropsy please visit http www nwhc usgs gov publications necropsy_manuals Sea_ Turtle Necropsy Manual English pdf Notes A text box is available to enter other information not included elsewhere on the data form PAGE 25 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 pu a Capture Event Data Entry Form File Edit View Insert Format Records Tools Window Help MH Ga BB S 2 2 Y Ya v da aag MS Sans Serif l8 BZU E amp E al 4 D je Oe i Capture Event Data Entry Form TurtlelD itoNumber Species Gender Project Date Time Weather of Observers Observers Tag Numbers NewTag Paget z I 8 Add J Observers Tag Error LOCATION sg heu Locsion Zone Landmatk GET Country Location Name Zone 52 if Event Latitude i PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Event Longitude Landmark Name Dist from Landmark m CCLNN SCLNN ae OT CCLNT SCLNT a or cow scw JINN JINT i r Weight Kg Carapace Intact FF No tn nn Diagnostic Injuries Water Depth m Water Temperature c Notes Parasites and Ectobiota Tag Scar Location EI Record KIRE 1 gt ot gt of 1 The Capture Event Data Entry Form is used to enter information available from the intentional or unintentional capture of a turtle at sea The module can be
7. Add Edit Country Location Zone and Landmark Data Location Zone and Landmark Entry Form Add a Country Region or State Country Region State Name Country ID initials Jump to Country Region State Longitude Latitude Location Data gt Add Location Location Name EEE Previous Location Next Location Record 14 4 ug Zone Data Landmark Data Zone Name Zone Length m Zone Width m Landmark Name Latitude Longitude a Ge Longitude Latitude ADRs wa Refresh ne Previous Zone 4 gt Next Zone Record 14 4 1 gt Loi gt of 1 4 of Form View NUM Most sea turtle projects need to record the location of a sea turtle event i e nesting sighting capture or stranding In some cases that location can be exact e g documented by a differential equipped GPS in other cases it may require triangulation to known landmarks or some other deline ation within a known zone This data form allows the user to enter the name of a location and the exact location of any landmark or zone Whenever possible it is useful to enter the location and name of each landmark or zone into the database at the initiation of a project However if this is not possible such information can be entered at any time after the project has begun Location data is hierarchical in the database This means that Landmarks are subsections of or markers within Zones Zones are subsection
8. Location The location of the stranding event i e the location where the turtle washed ashore is entered in this section Country We have chosen to use Country as the broadest location category because some programs may support multiple projects in a number of different countries We strongly recommend this PAGE 22 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 always be completed as it is useful to the MTTC in maintaining accurate tag information as projects in different countries may have the same location names e g Grande Anse Beach Grenada and Grande Anse Beach St Lucia Location Name Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the location name from the list and click on it using the left mouse button If the Location Name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using a left mouse click on the New button Location Name is required if Zone see below will be used to further identify the event location The name used for Location should reflect the best supporting documentation such as that in dicated on an up to date navigational chart or national map Local common names for beaches can change creating confusion as future project personnel attempt to interpret the informa tion Each location should eventually be identified by latitude and longitude An unlimited number of Location Names can be entered for each Country Zone Zon
9. computer uses American standard date format mm dd yyyy or European standard date format dd mm yyyy Time Time of sighting is entered in 12 hr format with the designator AM or PM e g 11 30 PM Weather Weather is selected from a pull down menu including Clear Overcast Rain Stormy Strong Wind Broken Clouds Unknown of Observers This value represents the number of observers present for the sighting The value should in clude the fisherman data recorder and or project personnel as well as any non project person nel e g tourists or visitors Observer The observer is the person who is reporting the sea turtle event Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the observer s name or initials from the list If the observer s name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using the Add New Observer button Once the new observer has been added to the database be sure to check the active box on the entry form click on the R button to refresh the list of choices on the pull down menu and then select the observer Tag Numbers Pre entered tag numbers can be selected from the pull down menu which is activated using the arrow at the left side of the entry field If the tag number has not been entered into the data base you will be asked if you would like to add the number at this time If so an entry form will open to facilitate the entry PAGE 32 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle
10. 14 _ 3 2002 Can also be used to place a check in a Check Box when the cursor is on the Check Box i e when you have used a Tab to reach it Action Buttons Button is used to start a new data form Button is used to close an entry form and move back one step in the menu Button is used to clear a data record delete button Button is used to print on screen form print screen o Bee Button is used to update database with newly entered data Refresh z This bar is used to move from record to record Record H 0 d of 6 and is usually located at bottom of a data form PAGE 1 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 on ee S SE Description of the Database The WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database was developed using Microsoft Access since Access is most widely available to users in the region However it does not require the user to be proficient in Access or in database programming and use The program includes data analysis modules that will generate summary reports of information contained in the database Modules to allow export of the data into a variety of other analysis forms e g spreadsheets and statistical programs are also included Those comfortable with using Access will find that they can develop their own data queries within the database and we encourage those users to share their scripts with the WIDECAST Marine Turtle Tagging
11. Centre MTTC contact Scott Eckert at lt seckert widecast org gt As the database program is updated those scripts will be incorporated into newer versions of the program To prevent a host of problems associated with database corruption we have secured the structure of the database What this means in practice is that users can create queries and reports for the data base but users will not have access to the database structure to for example add variables or data tables However we will work with you to include more data tables as we update the program Minimum Requirements This program has been successfully tested on computers running Windows 98 2000 ME and XP oper ating systems Microsoft Access 2002 or later must be installed Hardware requirements are mini mal but the computer should have at least 100 megabytes of free space on its hard drive and 128 megabytes of RAM We ve optimized the program for a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 If your screen resolution is lower you may find that some of the data forms run off the screen In some cases it will require scrolling the screen to see all the information Please let us know if this is a problem for you and we ll provide a lower resolution version Installation lt IMPORTANT If you are upgrading from a previous version see Special Instructions page vi prior to installation gt Insert the installation CD into the CD drive on your computer System insta
12. Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 If the turtle is tagged as a result of the sighting and the tag number is being used for the first time click on the New checkbox directly beside the tag number The status of the tag in the database will be changed from in stock to on turtle and will also allow a calculation of tag retention rates There is a tag error button included on the form This is used to note that there is some type of discrepancy in the tag record that needs correction Often during data entry the data manager will find possible errors such as a tag number that appears on the data form i e the original paper copy to be unreadable or the data manager has reason to believe that the tag was read and recorded incorrectly By checking this box it bookmarks the tag number for later review and correction Page Number Paper data sheets used by project personnel should always be numbered consecutively prior to the entry of information into the database This simplifies error checking and correction should there be a need to refer back to the original paper data sheet It also facilitates reviewing miscellaneous notes or illustrations that may be on the original data sheet but not documented in the database e g sketches of beach erosion turtle injuries or ectobiota NOTE ALWAYS duplicate and archive two sets in separate secure locations of all paper data sheets The database archives inf
13. Measuring from two permanent Landmarks to the hatched nest referred to as triangulation is the most accurate means to determine the exact location of the nest Accuracy can be within a few centimeters depending on the quality of the Landmark PAGE 39 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Hatching Result This section reports nest hatching data obtained without nest excavation It can also document the loss of eggs to predators prior to during or after the nest hatches Live Hatchlings out of nest This field records the number of live hatchlings that emerged from the nest Check box confirm hatchling count Check V this box if the number of live hatchlings that emerged from the nest was counted directly by the observer Leave it blank if the number was estimated by for example counting hatchling tracks on the beach Dead Hatchlings out of nest This field records the number of hatchlings that emerged from the nest but did not successfully enter the sea Hatchlings will occasionally die for unknown reasons on the surface of the nest or during the crawl to the sea These hatchlings appear intact to the observer with no evidence of predator attack Depredated Hatchlings This field records the number of depredated hatchlings i e hatchlings killed by predators before the hatchling successfully enters the sea Sometimes the event is witnessed by the observer alternatively a p
14. Observer LS Delete Observer Jump to Observer x Observer s Name FE Check if Active Phone Number 1 Organization Phone Number 2 Address Phone Number3 Email City State Country Mail Code a se w Record 4 1 gt pij of 1 Form View NUM Observers are those individuals who report or record information about sea turtle encounters They can be patrol staff employed by or volunteering with a nesting beach project or an individual calling to report a sighting or stranding event The purpose of this form is to provide a record of the observer so that they can be contacted at a later date if needed While completing this form is self explanatory one feature and its purpose needs description The Active checkbox is provided to denote observers who may be actively involved in ongoing observations or data collection such as a Field Director or other permanent staff member If this box is checked the name will appear in a pull down list on each data entry form to facilitate easier data entry If the box is unchecked the name will not appear on the pull down list We recommend that this box only be checked for individuals who are expected to be observers or reporters on a regular basis The check box feature is designed to prevent the pull down list on the data forms from becoming overly long for each project PAGE 7 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008
15. Vegetation Enter the distance in meters between the center of the new nest cavity and the line of perma nent vegetation PAGE 19 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 E E Stranding Event Data Entry Form File Edit View Insert Format Records Tools Window Help M HQ ER VII S amp B 2 4 Y VA Ms Sans Serif zls y BrulE Stranding Event Data Entry Form Turtle ID AutoNumber Species D I Gender D Project RS Date Time Weather of Observers Observers Tag Numbers NewTag Paget A RS Les Add Observers Tag Error LOCATION Add New Location Zone Landmark Report Country Location Name x Ill all ae Es PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Event Latitude Event Longitud CCLNN SCLNN n e Pi PA ee Dist from Landmark m CCENT SCLNT f f cow SCW UN INT E oy a Weight Kg Carapace Intact j No r UT Diagnostic Injuries Turtle Condition Ra Necropsy Report Parasites and Ectobiota Tag Scar Location a Notes oj ml The Stranding Event Data Entry Form is used to enter information on a stranding which refers to a turtle washing ashore unintentionally The turtle might be alive dead or comatose e g cold stunned or very ill This form is not designed for documenting a nesting event PAGE 20 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008
16. institutional home We would also like to acknowledge the donors and contributors who have made this product possible First the United Nations Development Programme UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme Barbados and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation USA provided grants in 2001 that enabled us to establish the MTTC purchase an inventory of 30 000 Monel and Inconel tags and associated equipment for use by sea turtle projects throughout the region develop and beta test the first version of the database management software package draft a User s Manual and other essential documents convene an international training workshop on the campus of UWI Barbados and support a software beta testing phase WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 We are grateful to partners who agreed to beta test the software for a year using national databases These partners include Nature Seekers in Trinidad The National Trust and the Department of Fisher ies and Marine Resources in Anguilla the Barbados Sea Turtle Project the Conservation and Fisheries Department of the British Virgin Islands Ocean Spirits and the YWF Kido Foundation Carriacou in Grenada the Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten and the St Eustatius National Parks Foundation in The Netherlands Antilles the Department of Fisheries in Nevis the Forestry Department with their community partner Desbarras Turtle Watch Group in St Lucia Tobago
17. its observation The value should include the data recorder and project personnel as well as any non project personnel e g tourists or visitors Observer The observer is the person who is reporting the sea turtle event Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the observer s name or initials from the list If the observer s name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using the Add New Observer button Once the new observer has been added to the database be sure to check the active box on the entry form click on the R button to refresh the list of choices on the pull down menu and then select the observer PAGE 13 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Tag Numbers Pre entered tag numbers can be selected from the pull down menu which is activated using the arrow at the left side of the entry field If the tag number has not been entered into the database you will be asked if you would like to add the number at this time If so an entry form will open to facilitate the entry If the turtle is tagged during nesting and the tag number is being used for the first time click on the New checkbox directly beside the tag number The status of the tag in the database will be changed from in stock to on turtle and will also allow a calculation of tag retention rates There is a tag error button included on the form T
18. management software package that build capacity among range States to archive and analyze sea turtle sightings and especially tag based datasets facilitating regional networking to enable collaboration among range States with regard to sharing field collected data documenting international movements and assessing population status and strengthening and networking dozens of otherwise isolated small scale tagging projects providing training eliminating the use of overlapping tag series etc Since its establishment in 2001 the Centre has distributed tags to research projects in more than 20 Caribbean States and territories Many more have indicated their desire for training advice and infor mation on best practices as well as for tags and tagging equipment The Centre archives tag fate data for all participating projects and provides a central clearinghouse for information on international move ments The MTTC story begins in 1996 when by unanimous vote it was a decision of the WIDECAST Annual General Meeting 26 27 February 1996 Hilton Head Island South Carolina that WIDECAST establish or sponsor a centralized tagging database in the Caribbean Region The Meeting was attended by members of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network from 18 Caribbean States and terri tories as well as Observers from Africa India Europe Australia IUCN and IOCARIBE The Meeting agreed that there was a need for standardization in tagg
19. meters m Water Temperature Water temperature at the point of capture if at sea must be entered in degrees Centigrade 0 PAGE 29 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Physical Description Notes Information concerning the physical description of the turtle is entered in this section For guidance on Measuring Sea Turtles and other field protocols please refer to the IUCN SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group s Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles Eckert et al 1999 http www iucn mtsg org publications Size Enter the measurement metric units in the appropriate box as follows CCLNN Curved carapace length notch to notch see diagram CCLNT Curved carapace length notch to tip see diagram CCW Curved carapace width SCLNN Straight line carapace length NN measured with calipers SCLNT Straight line carapace length NT measured with calipers SCW Straight line carapace width measured with calipers Does carapace damage affect measurement Check V if yes The entry field is used to indicate that the measurement may have been af fected usually shortened by a damaged carapace Such measurements will corrupt population level evaluations of turtle size and should be excluded from any analyses Weight If the turtle was weighed enter that information here in kilograms Injuries and Diagnostic Characte
20. see diagram CCLNT Curved carapace length notch to tip see diagram CCW Curved carapace width SCLNN Straight line carapace length NN measured with calipers SCLNT Straight line carapace length NT measured with calipers SCW Straight line carapace width measured with calipers Does carapace damage affect measurement Check 1 if yes The entry field is used to indicate that the measurement may have been af fected usually shortened by a damaged carapace Such measurements will corrupt population level evaluations of turtle size and should be excluded from any analyses Weight If the turtle was weighed enter that information here in kilograms Injuries and Diagnostic Characters Enter notes describing injuries or other diagnostic characteristics of the turtle Parasites and Ectobiota Enter notes associated with parasites or ectobiota e g barnacles found on the turtle Tag Scar Location A pull down menu can be used to identify where a possible tag scar is located on the turtle Tag scars are the residual scars left in the flipper once a tag has been removed or has fallen out Evaluating tag scars is difficult Be sure that the observer has been properly trained to detect tag scars before relying on this variable In the case of leatherback turtles it is even more difficult to differentiate a tag scar from other types of flipper damage Interpret such information with caution A text box is available to enter other inf
21. the sea Confirmed False Crawl with Body Pit in this case the turtle was observed to create a body pit but did not lay eggs Body Pit body pit s present otherwise the outcome is unconfirmed Confirmed nest with eggs eggs OBSERVED and confirmed in a nest chamber Estimated nest with eggs eggs NOT OBSERVED but the event is classified as a nest with eggs using other lines of evidence Unknown there is no reliable information on the outcome of the event Number of Yolked Eggs Verified number of potentially viable eggs in the nest As a general rule all eggs of normal PAGE 17 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 size are considered to be viable only leatherback turtles routinely deposit significant numbers of smaller often misshapen eggs that lack a yolk and will not produce young see Number of Yolkless Eggs Number of Yolkless Eggs Number of yolk deficient non viable eggs in the nest This parameter typically applies to leather back turtles and on rare occasions to other species Nest Relocation Data This section is designed to document the destination of any clutch of eggs moved from their original nest site to an alternate location referred to as the relocation site Relocation Date Record the date that the nest was excavated and moved to its new location Time Excavated Record the time that the nest was excavated and moved to its new location
22. 008 Zone see below will be used to further identify the event location The name used for Location should reflect the best supporting documentation such as that indicated on an up to date navigational chart or national map Local common names for beaches can change creating confusion as future project personnel attempt to interpret the information Each location should eventually be identified by latitude and longitude An unlimited number of Location Names can be entered for each Country Zone Zones represent geographic subsets of the Location Names For example a nesting beach an offshore reef or a marine protected area might be divided into distinct named or numbered areas or sections we refer to these as Zones This feature will not activate on the data form unless a Location Name has been assigned to the event Hint If your Location is only subdivided into one series of sections e g a nesting beach might be divided into distinct named or numbered sections or a reef into permanent research quadrants then it is best to establish a single Zone for this location Each quadrant can in turn be delineated with Landmarks see below Event Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Event Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places ar
23. AGE 11 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Nesting Event Data Entry Form Nesting Event Data Entry Form Turtle ID Species zj Project Date Time Weather of Observers cc M TEC PS LOCATION add New Location Zone Landmark Country Z Location Name x Ditencs inti ion Zone sd Event Latitude Vegetation High Water Mark Event Longitude Landmark Name Dist from Landmark m RESULTS Nesting Activity Nesting_Outcome Number of Yolked Eggs Number of Yolkless Eggs NEST RELOCATION DATA Relocation Date Time Excavated Distance in m from Vegetation High Water Mark Location Name x f 5 i R Relocation_Zone x Latitude Longitude Landmark Distance from Landmark m Time Reburried Record 1 gt ot gt of 1 Observers Tag Numbers NewTag Page 2 Fu LE Observ Tag Eror Report PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION CCLNN SCLNN paz cint sanr Fe N 0 two INN JNT eH 4 Weight Kg Carapace Intact fe No up be Diagnostic Injuries Parasites and Ectobiota Tag Scar Location Notes The Nesting Event Data Entry Form is used to enter information about an encounter with a gravid egg bearing female on a nesting beach typically associated with data collected during organized nesting beach conservation and or research programs Turtle ID This f
24. Cays Marine Park in St Vincent and WWF in the Guianas Their comments were instrumental in finalizing the software in particular the Reports Modules A follow up grant by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources in 2003 enabled WIDECAST as part of its 2004 2005 workplan to finalize package and distribute the database management software package User s Manual and related resources including standardized data collection forms and application and reporting criteria associated with participation in the MTTC A grant from the British High Commission Barbados supported the design and printing of a poster encouraging fishers and others to return tags from captured animals Finally and most importantly this product could not have been produced without the expertise of several extraordinarily talented database programmers First Alvaro Collazos then Manager of Information Systems at The Environmental Trust in California and later Anil Ramnanan at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad wrote most of the programming Dennis Sammy dennispsammy gmail com Manager of Nature Seekers and WIDECAST Country Coordinator in Trinidad in partnership with Scott Eckert seckert widecast org WIDECAST Director of Science created the database structure provided the conceptual design and are responsible for much of its look and feel The unique complexities of tracking tagged animals including maintaining thei
25. Number is the most direct link between the data sheet and the information provided by that data sheet to the electronic database The paper data sheets represent original information collected in the field and will often include notes drawings and other useful information not entered into the electronic database If they are lost or dis carded they can never be replaced Treat them with respect Date Emerged The date of hatchling emergence is entered either as dd mm yyyy or mm dd yyyy depending on whether your computer uses American standard date format mm dd yyyy or European standard date format dd mm yyyy When hatching takes place over several days nights it is recommended that the date be the first day of emergence if known Time Emerged Time is entered in 12 hour format with the designator AM or PM e g 11 30 PM and should reflect the time when hatchlings begin to leave the nest if known Date Observed Date Observed is often different from Date Emerged and reflects when the hatched nest was first discovered Time Observed Time Observed is often different from Time Emerged and reflects when the hatched nest was first discovered Date Excavated Date Excavated is often different from Date Emerged or Date Observed since nests are usually excavated a number of days after the hatchlings have left the nest For guidance on nest excavation Determining Clutch Size amp Hatch Success please refer to the IUCN SSC Mari
26. SE WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Tagging Center Hosted By EA WIDECAST Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network 1003 www widecast org The Hatching Data Management subroutine facilitates searching the nest hatching records to match turtles using either a tag number or a Turtle ID number to their nest s searching particular dates to review nests that hatched on those dates and editing of the hatching records through the Delete Hatching Nest Record and the View Record buttons Hatching Data Management Find Associated Find By Tag Date Show All Delete Hatching Nest Record x Hatch NestID Species Project EventDate EventTime Page AssociatedTag Associated Date Location Zone VenReosd PAGE 48 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Chapter 6 Data Forms H IDECAST REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Tagging Center Hosted By ee WIDECAST enna Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network 2003 www widecast org The Print Data Sheets module provides printable data sheets that contain the same information as those displayed by the database program making it easier for the database manager to enter the data from the original paper data form into the database These data forms see Appendix are not meant to be all inclusive because of the variety of projects that will use them However we
27. Z Sighting Event Reporting Form designed by the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network www widecast org Ce TurteConditon Stranding Event Data Sheet Species Gender Project __ ee CY Time Project ID Weather a L JL Ld Taa side Location Observers New Location lame 1 Per di zmene JL e id Longtude PT fr fd Latitude CU eel i Landmark Name Number Dist from Landmark PIT E m a gt CS ns j LDO E Physical Fer C ceren LIT Ture Condition ET SCL CE CCW cm Necropsy Report SCW cm E Does carapace damage affect measurement Weight kg ___ Diagnostic Injuries Notes Parasites and Ectobiota E Left Front E Right Front E Left Rear E Right Rear Weather Capture Event Data Sheet E Stormy Strong Win Unknown Species Gender Project Date Time Project ID Weather Page RE nn Numbar Landmark Name Number Dist from Landmark PIT O Cu ee C Physical Description B NT NN cE E coen LC sctiem JE CCW cm Water Depth m SCW cm New Water Temperature C Does carapace damage affect measurement 7 Weight kg Notes Diagnostic Injuries Parasites and Ectobiota Tag Scars Left Front Right Front Left Rear Right Rear Anka es Capture Event Reporting Form designed by the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Cons
28. artially consumed hatchling might be found on the beach Depredated Eggs When a turtle nest is attacked by a predator it is sometimes possible to estimate the number of eggs that were lost by for example counting egg shells Hint Eggs or entire nests can also be lost to erosion poaching or other factors Such informa tion can be recorded in Notes see below Hatchling Release This section reports data on hatchling release including date time and location Hatchling Release Date Under rare circumstances hatchlings are not released on the same date they emerge from the nest Date is entered either as dd mm yyyy or mm dd yyyy depending on whether your compu ter uses American mm dd yyyy or European standard date format dd mm yyyy Hatchling Release Time Under rare circumstances hatchlings are not released at the same time they emerge from the nest Time is entered in 12 hour format with the designator AM or PM e g 11 30 PM and in this case it should reflect the time of hatchling release PAGE 40 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Hatchling Release Qty Enter the number of hatchlings released at the date and time reported Hatchling Release Zone Enter the Zone where the hatchling release took place at the date and time reported Nest Contents A report of nest contents as obtained by excavating the nest after hatchling emergence Nest Contents D
29. atabase If they are lost or dis carded they can never be replaced Treat them with respect Location The location of the capture is entered in this section Country We have chosen to use Country as the broadest location category because some programs may support multiple projects in a number of different countries We strongly recommend this always be completed as it is useful to the MTTC in maintaining accurate tag information as projects in different countries may have the same location names e g Grande Anse Beach Grenada and Grande Anse Beach St Lucia Location Name Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the location name from the list and click on it using the left mouse button If the Location Name is not among those in the pull PAGE 28 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 down menu add it using a left mouse click on the New button Location Name is required if Zone see below will be used to further identify the event location The name used for Location should reflect the best supporting documentation such as that in dicated on an up to date navigational chart or national map Local common names for beaches can change creating confusion as future project personnel attempt to interpret the informa tion Each location should eventually be identified by latitude and longitude An unlimited number of Location Names can be ent
30. ation here in kilograms Injuries and Diagnostic Characters Enter notes describing injuries or other diagnostic characteristics of the turtle Parasites and Ectobiota Enter notes associated with parasites or ectobiota e g barnacles found on the turtle Tag Scar Location A pull down menu can be used to identify where a possible tag scar is located on the turtle Tag scars are the residual scars left in the flipper once a tag has been removed or has fallen out Evaluating tag scars is difficult Be sure that the observer has been properly trained to detect tag scars before relying on this variable In the case of leatherback turtles it is even more PAGE 24 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 difficult to differentiate a tag scar from other types of flipper damage Interpret such information with caution especially in the case of a stranded animal which may have sustained any number of small bites and other injuries to the carcass Turtle Condition The condition of the stranded turtle may be selected from a pull down menu Alive Fresh Dead Moderately Decomposed Very Decomposed Unknown Necropsy Report This section is used to document a necropsy the animal equivalent of an autopsy You may paste the text of the report into this section or use the field to enter a description of where a more detailed report can be located e g the file name contact person or other archive infor
31. ction Country We have chosen to use Country as the broadest location category because some programs may support multiple projects in a number of different countries We strongly recommend this always be completed as it is useful to the MTTC in maintaining accurate tag information as projects in different countries may have the same location names e g Grande Anse Beach Grenada and Grande Anse Beach St Lucia Location Name Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the Location Name from the list and click on it using the left mouse button If the Location Name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using a left mouse click on the New button Location Name is required if Zone see below will be used to further identify the event location PAGE 38 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 The name used for Location should reflect the best supporting documentation such as that in dicated on an up to date navigational chart or national map Local common names for beaches can change creating confusion as future project personnel attempt to interpret the information Each location should eventually be identified by latitude and longitude An unlimited number of Location Names can be entered for each Country Zone Zones represent geographic subsets of the Location Names For example a nesting beach might be divided into distinct named or nu
32. dlife Foundation USA with follow up actions supported by a grant from the US National Marine Fisheries Service see Acknowledgments The MTTC provides a unique service to participating Government and non governmental field projects throughout the Caribbean Sea and is credited with developing and distributing a variety of foundational tools and information documents to further its objectives The MTTC contributes meaningfully to the implementation of recommendations from intergovernmental and scientific meetings that specific tools be developed and supported that facilitate standardized database management at the national level and the sharing across national borders of electronically compatible data relevant to population trend and status Your input on this project and its outputs including the software package is welcome see Contact Us For more information on the sponsoring organizations please visit www widecast org and www barbadosseaturtles org Acknowledgments This database management software package is just one of many tools available to Caribbean sea turtle projects from WIDECAST s Marine Turtle Tagging Centre MTTC located at the University of the West Indies in Barbados see Contact Us We are very grateful to the Barbados Sea Turtle Project BSTP founded in 1987 and an active member of the WIDECAST network since 1991 for hosting the MTTC and indebted to the University of the West Indies UWI for giving the MTTC an
33. e Latitude Dist from vegetation line Dist fromhigh water fs Landmark Name Number Dist from Landmark ated CL _ A c Weather ea e S Dist from Landmark FC False Craw without body Pit FCB Confirmed Fate Crawl with Body Fit UNK Unknown Outcome Tourist Page Tag Number Flipper Flipper Flipper Flipper Flipper er a Physical Description NT NN cerem JC 7 stem J CCW cm SCW cm i E Does carapace damage affect measurement Weight kg ____ Injuries or Diagnostic Markings ee Parasites E ctobiota E B E E E E E ASSET llnn ur Left Front E Right Front E Left Rear E Riqht Rear a GAY ntra Reporting Fermdesignes by he Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Net wine Nesting Reporting Formdesigned by the Wide Caribbean Ses Turtle Conse vation Network www widecastorg 7 Weather Sighting Event Data Sheet Er ne Species Gender an s Date Time Project ID Weather me G E Location Observers Overcast Rain Stormy Strong Wind Unknown Tag Number New Landmark Name Number Dist from Landmark Water Depthim C Water Temperature c e Notes et do ee Te Physical Description NT NN cet em JE SCL cm COC CCW cm SCW cm KH E Does carapace damage affect measurement Weight kg Diagnostic Injuries Parasites and Ectobiota Tag Scars E Left Front E Right Front E Left Rear E Right Rear e
34. e available For longitudes west of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Landmark Name Landmarks are subservient to Zone Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the name of the landmark and click on it using the left mouse button Distance to Landmark Measuring from two permanent Landmarks to the location of the sighting referred to as trian gulation is the most accurate means to determine its exact location This information can be very useful in an analysis of the spatial distribution of sea turtle sightings Water Depth Water depth at the location of the sighting if at sea must be recorded in meters m Water Temperature Water temperature at the location of the sighting if at sea must be entered in degrees Centigrade C PAGE 34 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Physical Description Notes Information concerning the physical description of the turtle is entered in this section For guidance on Measuring Sea Turtles and other field protocols please refer to the IUCN SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group s Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles Eckert et al 1999 http www iucn mtsg org publications Size Enter the measurement metric units in the appropriate box as follows CCLNN Curved carapace length notch to notch
35. e on what data are most commonly collected but it is very likely to evolve as more projects become involved in post hatch analysis Your feedback is welcome concerning the entry fields the nature of auto mated hatch related reports and queries etc PAGE 42 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Chapter 4 Analyze Data VIA REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE WIDECAST Regional Y Marine Turtle Tagging Center Hosted By ES WIDECAST Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network Main Menu 2003 www widecast org Data Analysis The data analysis modules enable information in the database to be exported or summarized Since not all users are facile at writing queries or reports in Microsoft Access we provide the capacity to export data to other formats such as Microsoft Excel or as a Text File for importation into statistical analysis software For each subroutine the user can select the date range to extract Reports and Queries The program provides a series of prepackaged data summarizing reports including PAGE 43 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Nesting Events Summary Information Nesting Events Provides the total number of nesting events separated into year species project name and nesting outcome Nesting Outcome Summary Provides the number of nesting outcomes of each type by species and by projec
36. ecessary to build genuine capacity within the nations of the Caribbean Sea to manage shared sea turtle resources Among these tools is this database management software package which is part of a larger initiative to maintain a regional Marine Turtle Tagging Centre MTTC operated by the Barbados Sea Turtle Project at the University of the West Indies in Barbados Your input on this software package is very important to us Please contact us with questions suggestions and ideas for improvement see Contact Us on the installation CD Working together to build a future where all inhabitants of the Wider Caribbean Region human and sea turtle alike can live together in balance WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 WIDECAST Marine Turtle Tagging Centre ane Turtle gt a wht K So amp gt By Ry LS SS ee Y of the WE The overall goal of the WIDECAST Marine Turtle Tagging Centre MTTC is to enhance the survival of Caribbean sea turtles by promoting and facilitating population monitoring studies of range State distribution and reliable communication among range States especially as regards tagging methods modern technologies and data collection archival and analysis tools Specific objectives include promoting best practices with regard to sea turtle tagging and record keeping region wide developing tools including this database
37. ent ee rnrn tnnt 43 Bata ANY SUS enoi poseen eree ianei ha EEN hioin E E pN RAE EE ia e aada 43 Reports and Queries 6 cece cece eee e eee eee ee eee eee eens eens eases ee arrr rrn rn rrr n ennt 43 Chapter 5 Data Management 0 c cece cece eee eee eee eee eee nett ee ee teeta ee eee ee eaeneed 45 Data Management for Turtle Events 0 cc ceceeeeee ee eee eee eee ee eee ee ee ee eaeaee nets 46 Merge Record BIO ee nn den eee armee 47 Data Management for Hatching Events 48 Chapter 6 Data FORMS acess toc se ae escent see area de eee 49 Appendix l Field Data Entry Forms 0c cece cece cece eee e eee eee ee eee eee eeeeeeeeaeaea anes 54 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS WIDECAST Regional Sea Turtle Database Version 4 1 Installation Upgrading From a Previous Version lt Read this before you proceed gt Version 4 1 changes the manner in which GPS locations are entered and stored In previous versions of the database we used the traditional nomenclature of degrees and decimal minutes e g longitude 102 45 59 This value was registered in the database as text not as a number However some users found that GIS programs had trouble interpreting text values as numeric latitudes or longitudes Since most modern GPS receivers are capable of logging locations in a more GIS fr
38. ered for each Country Zone Zones represent geographic subsets of the Location Names For example a fringing reef or marine protected area might be divided into distinct named or numbered areas or sections we refer to these as Zones This feature will not activate on the data form unless a Location Name has been assigned to the event Hint If your Location is only subdivided into one series of sections e g a reef divided into permanent research quadrants then it is best to establish a single Zone for this location Each quadrant can in turn be delineated with Landmarks see below Event Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Event Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places are available For longitudes west of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Landmark Name Landmarks are subservient to Zone Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the name of the landmark and click on it using the left mouse button Distance to Landmark Measuring from two permanent Landmarks to the site of capture referred to as triangulation is the most accurate means to determine its exact location Water Depth Water depth at the point of capture if at sea must be recorded in
39. ermanent Landmarks to the center of the nest or body pit referred to as triangulation is the most accurate means to determine the exact location of a nest Accuracy can be within a few centimeters depending on the quality of the Landmark This can be PAGE 15 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 important if project personnel will want to find the nest later such as for the purpose of monitoring hatching activity Distance from vegetation line Enter the distance in meters between either the center of the body pit or the nesting cavity if its location has been verified and the line of permanent vegetation Distance from the high water Enter the distance in meters between the center of the body pit or the nest cavity if its location has been verified and the most recent high tide or high water line on the beach Physical Description Information concerning the physical description of the turtle is entered in this section For guidance on Measuring Sea Turtles and other field protocols please refer to the IUCN SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group s Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles Eckert et al 1999 http www iucn mtsg org publications Size Enter the measurement metric units in the appropriate box as follows CCLNN Curved carapace length notch to notch see diagram CCLNT Curved carapace length notch to
40. ervation Network www widecast org 27 Hatching Event Data Sheet species id rot PT 2 Due Emerges oseovseves J Date Excovates _ Time Emerges CT Tmeoseves CT rimes eee Tou t Ld ours Live Hatenlings outofnest Fd Check ifcounted blank Festimad E Wee sD Deed Hatchlings out ofrest C JAssocisidTutelD Predated Hatchlings 2 CdS scocisted Tog 7 Predated Eggs CT tess 9 ss Nest Contents Hatch Location Dead Hatchlings in Nest County Live Hatchlings in Nest FulkTerm Pipped Dead bel hauts E Fulk Term Pipped Alive Zone O F ul Term Unpipped Dead EventLongitude e Ful Te amp m Unpipped Alive Mid Term Embryos Twins Distance from m Albino White Vegetation e Othe Deformed Hatchlings High Watermark E Undeveloped Rotten Eggs Landmark Name Number Dist from Landmark Egg Shells E i IE Yokless Eggs eL o S OS __ eA ee E Hatchling Release Notes Hatchling Relesse Dste Hatchling Relesse Time Hatchling Relesse Qty Location Name Zone Name T KA Nest Hatoh ReponngForm designed by the Wider Caribbean Sea Tune Conse ation Network www widecsston
41. es represent geographic subsets of the Location Names For example the coastline might be divided into distinct named or numbered sections we refer to these as Zones This feature will not activate on the data form unless a Location Name has been assigned to the event Hint If your Location is only subdivided into one series of sections e g a beach subdivided into 20 m sections along its entire length then it is best to establish a single Zone for this location Each section along this Zone can in turn be delineated with Landmarks see below Event Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Event Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places are available For longitudes west of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Landmark Name Landmarks are subservient to Zone Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the name of the Landmark and click on it using the left mouse button Hint Landmark names can be numbers if for example the beach is subdivided into numbered sections along its length PAGE 23 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Distance to Landmark Measuring from two permanent landmarks to the location of the st
42. have tried to in clude the most common and the most important variables typically gathered by sea turtle field projects or archived from sightings reported by the public If you wish to collect more information than these forms currently accommodate we suggest that you add a second page to the data form That way the ease of data entry from the standardized forms is preserved and additional data can be gathered as desired As the database program evolves we will try to develop customizable data forms that can be integrated into the database We welcome your suggestions on which variables you would like to see added in future upgrades Hint The program uses the default printer settings of your computer to output these data forms If you wish to print to another printer or to change printer settings use the Setup button on the toolbar Un der the page tab you can change to specific printer instead of your default printer PAGE 49 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 APPENDIX FIELD DATA ENTRY FORMS PAGE 50 Nesting Event Data Sheet Species Project ID Location Observers Location Name Td Zonewome 1 Late Dist from vegetation line El Dist fromhigh water Landmark Name Number Activity Event Outcome Yolked eggs Yolkless eggs Nest Marked Relocated To Relocation Date Time Collected Time Reburied Location Name Zone Name Longitud
43. his is used to note that there is some type of discrepancy in the tag record that needs correction Often during data entry the data manager will find possible errors such as a tag number that appears on the data form i e the original paper copy to be unreadable or the data manager has reason to believe that the tag was read and recorded incorrectly By checking this box it bookmarks the tag number for later review and correction Page Number Paper data sheets used by project personnel should always be numbered consecutively prior to the entry of information into the database This simplifies error checking and correction should there be a need to refer back to the original paper data sheet It also facilitates reviewing miscellaneous notes or illustrations that may be on the original data sheet but not documented in the database e g sketches of beach erosion turtle injuries or ectobiota NOTE ALWAYS duplicate and archive two sets in separate secure locations of all paper data sheets The database archives information NOT data sheets A three ring notebook or other record keeping device should store all data sheets indefinitely All data sheets should be sequentially numbered because Page Number is the most direct link between the data sheet and the information provided by that data sheet to the electronic database The paper data sheets represent original information collected in the field and will often include notes drawings a
44. iate a tag scar from other types of flipper damage Interpret such information with caution Results of the Nesting Attempt Information concerning the outcome of the nesting event including whether or not eggs were successfully laid and if so now many eggs were laid is entered in this section Nesting Activity Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select using the left mouse button the activity the turtle was engaged in when first encountered from among these choices Emerging from surf Turtle is in the surf zone when encountered Approaching Turtle is moving up the beach prior to first body pit attempt Body pitting Turtle is constructing a body pit prior to egg laying Digging Turtle is digging a nest cavity with her hind flippers only Laying Turtle is laying eggs Covering Turtle is filling the nest cavity with sand or packing tamping sand Camouflaging Turtle is disguising the nest area by sweeping front and rear flippers Leaving Turtle is moving down the beach toward the water Entering the sea Turtle is entering the surf or surf zone Gone Turtle was not observed Nesting Outcome Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the most accurate outcome and click on it using the left mouse button The following choices are provided False Crawl Without Body Pit no evidence of body pitting or nest preparation only a track emerging from and returning to
45. identified by latitude and longitude An unlimi ted number of Location Names can be entered for each Country Zone Zones represent geographic subsets of the Location Names For example a nesting beach might be divided into distinct named or numbered sections we refer to these as Zones of that beach This feature will not activate on the data form unless a Location Name has been assigned to the event Hint If your Location is only subdivided into one series of sections e g a beach subdivided into 20 m sections along its entire length then it is best to establish a single Zone for this location Each section along this Zone can in turn be delineated with Landmarks see below Event Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Event Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places are available For longitudes west of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Landmark Name Landmarks are subservient to Zone Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the name of the landmark and click on it using the left mouse button Hint Landmark names can be numbers if for example the beach is subdivided into numbered sections along its length Distance to Landmark Measuring from two p
46. ield is filled in automatically by the database program PAGE 12 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Species If species has not been automatically entered it may be selected from a pull down menu of choices flatback green turtle hawksbill Kemp s ridley leatherback loggerhead olive ridley unknown hardshelled unknown species Project Date Time Each project has a unique identification name or acronym This name should appear on the pull down menu If it does not it should be entered in the Project Management module Date is entered either as dd mm yyyy or mm dd yyyy depending on whether your computer uses American mm dd yyyy or European standard date format dd mm yyyy It_is important to remember that for projects involving all night coverage of a nesting beach events that take place before midnight occur on a different date than those that take place after midnight Always record the date and time at which the nesting event was first observed that is when the turtle is first encountered irrespective of the fact that she may remain on the beach for several hours Time is entered in 12 hour format with the designator AM or PM e g 11 30 PM Weather Weather is selected from a pull down menu including Clear Overcast Rain Stormy Strong Wind Broken Clouds Unknown of Observers This value represents the number of observers near the turtle during
47. iendly numerical value called decimal degrees from the previous example the decimal degree value 102 7598 we have now changed the way in which the WIDECAST database records locations The database now uses numerical values In making this change we have created a potential problem for previous users with latitude and longitude information already entered Version 4 1 will not be able to interpret that latitude longitude information We are working on this problem and we ask that those users with previous versions of the database that contain lat long data contact us at lt seckert widecast org gt prior to upgrading to Version 4 1 If you are a current user of the database but you do NOT have latitude longitude data already entered into it then there are no concerns with you upgrading to Version 4 1 If you are upgrading from a previous version do not use the setup exe program found on the CD Why Because you already have the program installed therefore you need only back up your current data as a precaution and proceed with the upgrade as follows 1 Back up your data by copying the file Turtle Data File mbd to a safe location This file can usually be found under C Program Files WIDECAST SEA TURTLE DATABASE Turtle Data File mbd Back up can mean that you simply copy the file to a storage disk or CD or that you copy it to another folder and rename the file Turtle Data File backup mbd 2 Copy the file Sea Turtle Database
48. ing methodology and record keeping as well as a need to compile data on a regional basis and that the WIDECAST Executive Director should explore all options and identify a suitable host institution for a regional tagging centre The meeting further agreed that a training workshop should be convened and that standard data forms and record keeping tools be developed for range State use Consultations were initiated with a number of Caribbean organizations that had professional database management capacity and that had indicated an interest in hosting such a centre The Barbados Sea WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Turtle Project BSTP based at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus was selected for reasons that included a long term tagging commitment at the national level project experience with both at sea and on beach tagging and access to a university network of computers and technical expertise The offer by BSTP to host the MTTC was accepted at the 1997 WIDECAST Annual General Meeting 3 4 March 1997 Orlando Florida and a project proposal was later developed based on recommenda tions made by a Tagging Centre Working Group Rafe Boulon Chair and WIDECAST Country Co ordinator in the US Virgin Islands comprised of WIDECAST Country Coordinators and other experts The proposal was funded by the United Nations Development Programme Barbados and the National Fish and Wil
49. lf you delete a descriptor or change the order of the descriptors there could be dire consequences The database considers the order of each descriptor important so that if the order is changed all data will be corrupted PAGE 9 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Chapter 3 Data Entry The mechanism for data entry is an on screen data form These forms can be accessed with the Enter Data button on the opening screen To simplify data entry by the database manager entry forms have been divided into five 5 Event Types Nesting Sighting typically an opportunistic sighting on land or at sea Capture at Sea Stranding typically a turtle that has washed ashore alive or dead and Hatching We have tried to reduce data entry errors typically the largest source of error in any database by providing pop up lists with entry choices when choices are limited To begin data entry click the Enter Data button on the opening screen If the infor Data Entry Forms mation to be entered is not a hatching Nesting Event event the database will always begin by Used to enter information about an encounter with a gravid egg bearing determining if the turtle is already in the female on a nesting beach typically associated with data collected during organized nesting beach conservation and or research programs database Enter one of the turtle s tag numbers and select Add Event
50. llation should begin as the CD is read however if this does not occur click on start click on run click on browse select the CD select Setup exe and click OK Installation will begin by searching for the installed location of Microsoft Access on your computer If you know where Access resides you can select that location rather than waiting for the setup program to find it Once completed the program will remember this location and open Access each time the database program is initiated PAGE 2 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Starting the Database On Startup the program will load and update all data table links The opening screen will provide buttons that activate various program modules which are described in detail in this User s Manual la x E File View Insert Format Records Tools Window Help TT xX KO SR oh i ia 0 System i 10 AEE i H IDECAST REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE M Project Management WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Taggmg Center Hosted By At the beginning of each project it is important that you provide some background information to the database about the project The following will be prompted tag types and unique tag num bers to be used by the project project name point of contact usually the Project Director or Principal Investigator names and contact information of project personnel geographic land
51. marks associated with the project e g landmarks on a nesting beach or locations on a reef We call this Project Management and we have provided a button on the opening screen to access entry to the proper data forms Project Management data can be edited or added to at any time after the start of a project PAGE 3 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Chapter 2 Project Management The menu for Project Management includes Tag Management Add Edit Project Data Add Edit Observer Data Add Edit Country Location Zone and Land Mark Data Add Edit Other Supporting Data PABECAST REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE n Zone and LandMark Data ting Data W Main Menu WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Tagging Center Hosted By WIDECAST Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network 2003 www widecast org PAGE 4 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Tag Management Find Tag Show All Show Tags Show Tags Show Tags Show Tags Show All Tag Management Tags In Stock On Turtle Lost Destroyed Other Tags Tag Number Status Tag Type Return Address Date Issued ProjectN ame Note a eal _ Tag Prefix From To Suffix Date Issued ProjectName Tag Type I I I L F j E E qi Refresh qs Return Address Note Generate Tags Record 14 af 1 gt
52. mbered sections we refer to these as Zones of that beach This feature will not activate on the data form unless a Location Name has been assigned to the event Hint If your Location is only subdivided into one series of sections e g a beach subdivided into 20 m sections along its entire length then it is best to establish a single Zone for this location Each section along this Zone can in turn be delineated with Landmarks see below Event Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Event Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places are available For longitudes west of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Distance from vegetation line Enter the distance meters between the hatched nest and the line of permanent vegetation Distance from the high water Enter the distance meters between the hatched nest and the most recent high tide or high water line on the beach Landmark Name Landmarks are subservient to Zone Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the name of the landmark and click on it using the left mouse button Hint Landmark names can be numbers if for example the beach is subdivided into numbered sections along its length Distance to Landmark
53. mde from the installation CD and paste it to the folder C Program Files WIDECAST SEA TURTLE DATABASE You will be asked if you want to overwrite the file with the same name in the folder answer yes 3 You have now successfully upgraded from version 4 0 to version 4 1 New Installation If you are installing the WIDECAST regional sea turtle database management program for the first time 1 Run the Setup exe file found on the installation CD Installation is automatic and will install the program in the folder C Program Files WIDECAST SEA TURTLE DATABASE VI WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Chapter 1 Introduction Documentation Conventions The User s Guide uses shorthand terms for several actions involving the mouse and the program Click Press and release mouse button 1 usually the left mouse button Double Click Press and release mouse button 1 twice in rapid succession Right Click Press and click mouse button 2 usually the right button Choose Point to an item usually on a menu or list of objects and click mouse button 1 Fields Areas within forms where information data is entered Tab Use to move forward between some Fields Shift Tab Use to move backward between some Fields Space Can be used to move forward within a Field when there is an input mask i e to indicate an unused digit e g the Date 14 03 2002 is equivalent to the Date
54. nd other useful information not entered into the electronic database If they are lost or dis carded they can never be replaced Treat them with respect Location The location of the event and specifically of the nest cavity is entered in this section Country We have chosen to use Country as the broadest location category because some programs may support multiple projects in a number of different countries We strongly recommend this always be completed as it is useful to the MTTC in maintaining accurate tag information as projects in different countries may have the same location names e g Grande Anse Beach Grenada and Grande Anse Beach St Lucia PAGE 14 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Location Name Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the Location Name from the list and click on it using the left mouse button If the Location Name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using a left mouse click on the New button Location Name is required if Zone see below will be used to further identify the event location The name used for Location should reflect the best supporting documentation such as that indicated on an up to date navigational chart or national map Local common names for beaches can change creating confusion as future project personnel attempt to interpret the information Each location should eventually be
55. ne Turtle Specialist Group s Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles Eckert et al 1999 http www iucn mtsg org publications PAGE 37 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Time Excavated Time Excavated is often different from Time Emerged or Time Observed since nests are usually excavated a number of days after the hatchlings have left the nest of Observers This value represents the number of observers near the turtle during its observation The value should include the data recorder and project personnel as well as any non project personnel e g tourists or visitors Observer The observer is the person who is reporting the sea turtle event Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the observer s name or initials from the list If the observer s name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using the Add New Observer button Once the new observer has been added to the database be sure to check the active box on the entry form click on the R button to refresh the list of choices on the pull down menu and then select the observer Weather Weather is selected from a pull down menu including Clear Overcast Rain Stormy Strong Wind Broken Clouds Unknown Hatch Location The location of the event and specifically the location of the hatch the nest emergence is entered in this se
56. nstallation vi Chapter 1 Introduction 222 c5occhcecdouscccshal te cieeevacdsccicesaateseltsehckecdnGeataxancedesaejeaseciiareetzelacs 1 Documentation Conventions issus sicetadeixciseapiliweksdekieddeaoidebeneereideesiecetad 1 Description of the Database cccccec cence cece eee e eee e eens ea eneeeeeeeaeneeneas 2 Minimum Requirement is 2 SO se tend peo sanecaceacetececeatetieae 2 Starting the Database seeds E R ENNEN 3 Chapter 2 Project Management 2 542 16 es iuentne nie ie ee ieee nie 4 Tag a Mage BALE D ce cet n nd eau 5 Add Edit Projet Dale e EEE teen mere Nestes 6 Add Edit Observer Dale sec den beasei sesana oi ada oi Ea 7 Add Edit Country Location Zone and Landmark Data 8 Add Edit Other Supporting Data 0 0 cece eee e cece ee eee ee eee ee eee e eater teens 9 Chapter 3 Enter Data 0 00 ccccc cece cece cece erent e ntre e eee ee eee es eeeea ea eeeeeeeeeeeees 10 Nesting Event Data Entry Fort wiccscscecsciutancsicesceaceesteueneuedsesedd peakexsesvuciatenends 12 stranding Event Data Entry Form suisses soumet 20 Capture Event Data Entry Form ss 26 Sighting Event Data Entry POP ae as du the ee 31 Hatching Event Data Entry Form sscicciscicunsynensceesericenhaabeapersenaesesaecdetusedesanass 36 Chapter 4 Analyze Data cece cece eee eee eee ee eee eee nent eens n
57. oD ZORSE REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE 2003 2005 2008 WIDECAST Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network USER S GUIDE VERSION 4 1 Scott A Eckert Ph D Director of Science WIDECAST Dennis Sammy Manager Nature Seekers WIDECAST Country Coordinator Trinidad 2008 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 For bibliographic purposes this document should be cited as Eckert Scott A and Dennis Sammy 2008 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Manual Version 4 1 Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network WIDECAST at Duke University Marine Laboratory Beaufort North Carolina 55 pp Copies of this publication may be obtained from Dr Julia A Horrocks Coordinator WIDECAST Marine Turtle Tagging Centre University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus P O Box 64 Bridgetown Barbados Tel 246 417 4320 Fax 4325 julia horrocks cavehill uwi edu www barbadosseaturtles org WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Preface and Intent WIDECAST For more than two decades the WIDECAST network with Country Coordinators in more than 40 Caribbean States and territories has linked scientists conservationists resource managers resource users policy makers industry groups educators and other stakeholders together in a collective effort to develop a unified management framework and to p
58. ocument nest contents as follows enter a number in each field as appropriate Dead hatchlings in nest Live hatchlings in nest Full term pipped dead Full term pipped alive Full term unpipped dead Full term unpipped alive Mid term Twins Albino White Total number of dead hatchlings found in the nest cavity Note these are hatched turtles free from the egg not full term embryos Total number of live hatchlings found in the nest cavity and released Total number of fully developed dead embryos that pipped through the eggshell but died prior to fully emerging from the egg Total number of fully developed hatchlings that pip ped through the eggshell but had not fully emerged from the egg Total number of fully developed dead embryos that neither pipped nor emerged from the eggshell Total number of fully developed live hatch lings still in the egg i e not yet pipped when the nest is ex cavated Total number of mid term dead embryos within the egg Total number of paired twins within the egg Total number of pigment deficient turtles not necessarily true albinos within the egg PAGE 41 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Other deformed embryos Total number of dead hatchlings or embryos with obvious deformities within the egg Undeveloped Eggs that show little or no development but neither do they show signs of decomposition e g s
59. olidify ing of yolk mold or bacteria liquefied contents Rotten eggs Eggs so decomposed as to make it impossible to determine whether an embryo began to develop or not Egg Shells Total number of egg shells remaining in the nest Note This count should represent whole shell numbers as a means to estimate the total number of eggs laid in some cases it may necessary to combine shell fragments to estimate an entire shell Yolkless eggs Total number of yolkless eggs remaining in the nest These eggs are typically small mis shapen and desiccated in the absence of a yolk there is no embryo development Notes A text box is available to enter other information not included elsewhere on the data form Associated Female This section allows the user to link the hatching event to a nesting event If you know or can determine either the Turtle ID number a tag number or the date when this nest was laid you can place that information here Author s Note Sea turtle nesting beach projects spend too little time documenting the results of the reproductive season It may have been a good year for egg laying but now many of the nests produced live hatchlings What were the primary threats to the nests Are there management options available to address these threats The systematic monitoring of nests for hatching the post hatch excavation of nests and the documentation of nest contents are important This data entry form provides guidanc
60. or s Note For guidance on the tagging of sea turtles see Marine Turtle Tagging A Manual of Recommended Practices by Karen Eckert and Jennifer Beggs WIDECAST Technical Report No 2 2006 revised edition or visit www widecast org PAGE 5 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Add Edit Project Data Project Information cen Naw Prisj Delate l roject Selsct Moject Pius aN am ProiectiD l Fill lu him lay Nae Courtry Mal Code Phone Number Phore_Nurber gt Phone Number Cmst Record I lt 1 gt LL of 4 Furm Views NUM Each project should have a unique identity Project ID We recommend that the Project ID be an acronym for the name of the project e g BSTP for the Barbados Sea Turtle Project or BSTP BSTP1 2 3 n if a larger program has a series of individual projects under its administration Project Name can be used for the complete descriptive name of the project e g Barbados Sea Turtle Project 1 North Coast Foraging Study Point of Contact POC refers to the person responsible for the project who can be contacted if needed Address information should refer either to the POC or to the project s office address PAGE 6 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Add Edit Observer Data Observers be Add New
61. or opportunistic UnkGT Green Turtle UnkOR Olive Ridley UnkLR Kemp s Ridely Hatching Event UnkLOG Loggerhead Hatching Event UnkFB Flatback Used to enter information on a hatching which refers to any evidence UnkUnk Species that a turtle nest has produced live young It can also be used to record l depredation or other damage nest loss e g to erosion or other nest fate prior to hatching unplanned observations of a turtle PAGE 10 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 pop up box will ask you to select the event type Select Event Capture Event Sighting Event Cancel If the tag has been reported from a turtle already in the database this will be confirmed Click OK and a data form with the Turtle ID species and gender already completed will appear If the turtle is not in the database a blank data form will appear Microsoft Access xl Tags are on Turtles If this is a hatching event do not enter a tag number Click the Hatching Event button A Hatching Event Data Entry Form will appear See Hatching Data Entry Form for instructions on data entry Tag Search Enter a Tag Number Clear Search If tag number is unknown use UnkLB Leatherback UnkH Hawksbill UnkGT Green Turtle UnkOR Olive Ridley UnkLR Kemp s Ridely Hatching Event UnkLOG Loggerhead UnkFB Flatback UnkUnk Species P
62. ormation NOT data sheets A three ring notebook or other record keeping device should store all data sheets indefinitely All data sheets should be sequentially numbered because Page Number is the most direct link between the data sheet and the information provided by that data sheet to the electronic database The paper data sheets represent original information collected in the field and will often include notes drawings and other useful information not entered into the electronic database If they are lost or dis carded they can never be replaced Treat them with respect Location The location of the sighting is entered in this section Country We have chosen to use Country as the broadest location category because some programs may support multiple projects in a number of different countries We strongly recommend this always be completed as it is useful to the MTTC in maintaining accurate tag information as projects in different countries may have the same location names e g Grande Anse Beach Grenada and Grande Anse Beach St Lucia Location Name Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the Location Name from the list and click on it using the left mouse button If the Location Name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using a left mouse click on the New button Location Name is required if PAGE 33 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2
63. ormation not included elsewhere on the data form PAGE 35 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Hatching Event Data Entry Form Add Record Hatching Event Data Entry Form HatchNestID New Species gf Project Page Number Date Emerged Date Observed Data Excavated Total of Observers Observers Time Emerged Time Observed Time Excavated Weather a I Add Observer Hatch Location Hatching Result Country pl Live Hatchlings out of nest JF Check if counted blank if estimated Location Name i la Dead Hatchlings out of nest Zone al Depredated Hatchlings LH Eventlattude Depredated Eggs z Event Longitude aT Distance from m Vegetation L Hatchling Release High Watermark Hatchling Release Date Associated Female Hatchling Release Time Associated Tuttle ID ca Name ae from Landmark Hatchling Release Qty msi ay HatchlingReleaseZone gt a Nest Contents Notes Dead Hatchlings in Nest z Other Deformed Embryos Live Hatchlings in Nest zz Undeveloped Ful TemmPippedDead Rotten Eggs Full T erm Pipped Alive D Egg Shells Full Term Unpipped Dead a Yolkless Eggs Full Term Unpipped Alive kz Embryos E Twins ei Albino White z EME cord M 1of1 gt i amp Unfiltered Search The Hatching Event Data Entry Form is used to enter information on a hatching which refers to any evidence that a turtle nest has produced live
64. pij gt of1 Form View NUM Tag Management provides a means to inventory all tags that are to be used in your project Enter all of tag numbers and relevant information e g tag type tag return address immediately upon receiving your tags either from the manufacturer or from the WIDECAST Marine Turtle Tagging Center MTTC You can use this inventory to track the fate of all tags used in your project By entering tag information into the database at project initiation you can avoid certain types of errors in data entry because the tag numbers will be available from a pull down list on each data entry form If tag numbers are entered incorrectly on data input forms and are not already registered in the database the user will be informed and the program will request corrective action Tag numbers may be entered into the database in two ways individual tag numbers and tag descrip tions may be entered in the data entry boxes provided on the form or a consecutive series of tag numbers may be entered using the Generate Tags function at the bottom of the form To use the latter feature enter the tag prefix and or suffix many tags use an alpha numeric system such as WC3456 or 234567891A the first and last number of the tag series the date the tags were received or issued to a project the project responsible for the tags the tag type and the tag s return address Press the Generate Tags button to add this tag series to the database Auth
65. r identity in the database long after their original tags have been lost has consumed thousands of hours of programming and been frustrated by a seemingly infinite suite of confounding variables The excellence of the final product is a great tribute to those who have worked on it for the last several years revising testing revising and re testing it until the software met the standards of both the programmers and the users who beta tested it along the way Notwithstanding bugs and inconsistencies are sure to be found and we look forward to your feedback and to working with you to create future versions and adaptations Soon we hope to adapt the program for use on PDA platforms as well as offer upgrades downloadable from the Internet We are also working on Spanish and French versions of the software as well as all associated tools e g User s Guide tagging manual standardized data collection forms Enjoy Karen L Eckert Executive Director WIDECAST WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Table of Contents Preface and lens 2 teit tttattratitertttttrrttrtsrrtersirtenarrerrnn i WIDECAS T sentent stueatees ia p aan A EEEE E EE eai i WIDECAST Marine Turtle Tagging Centre ceeeee cent tenet ee eee e teen teen ene ii Acknowledgments Le 2 nat Dale at ee sienne mette adidas esse nnt iii Table of Contents soii huit ee I ee cee v Special Instructions Version 4 1 I
66. randing referred to as trian gulation is the most accurate means to determine its exact location Accuracy can be within a few centimeters depending on the quality of the Landmark This can be important if project personnel want to analyze the spatial pattern of strandings along the coastline Physical Description Information concerning the physical description of the turtle is entered in this section For guidance on Measuring Sea Turtles and other field protocols please refer to the IUCN SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group s Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles Eckert et al 1999 http www iucn mtsg org publications Size Enter the measurement metric units in the appropriate box as follows CCLNN Curved carapace length notch to notch see diagram CCLNT Curved carapace length notch to tip see diagram CCW Curved carapace width SCLNN Straight line carapace length NN measured with calipers SCLNT Straight line carapace length NT measured with calipers SCW Straight line carapace width measured with calipers Does carapace damage affect measurement Check 1 if yes The entry field is used to indicate that the measurement may have been af fected usually shortened by a damaged carapace Such measurements will corrupt population level evaluations of turtle size and should be excluded from any analyses Weight If the turtle was weighed enter that inform
67. romote a regional capacity to design and implement scientifically sound sea turtle management programs Today WIDECAST embraces the largest regional network of sea turtle projects in the world and is uniquely designed to address research and management priorities at national and regional levels both for sea turtles and the habitats upon which they depend We focus on bringing the best available sci ence to bear on sea turtle management and conservation empowering stakeholders to make effective use of that science in the policy process and providing an operational mechanism and a framework for cooperation at all levels both within and among nations As a Partner Organization of the Caribbean Environment Programme of UNEP United Nations Environ ment Programme the network also provides an essential link between grassroots concerns and exper tise and international decision making specifically with regard to the CEP s Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife SPAW http www cep unep org welcome about cep spaw objectives WIDECAST is all about partnerships building bridges to the future that facilitate and strengthen conservation action encourage inclusive management planning and help to ensure that utilization practices whether consumptive or non consumptive do not undermine sea turtle survival over the long term To this end WIDECAST partners throughout the region work collaboratively to develop and distri bute the tools n
68. rs Enter notes describing injuries or other diagnostic characteristics of the turtle Parasites and Ectobiota Enter notes associated with parasites or ectobiota e g barnacles found on the turtle Tag Scar Location A pull down menu can be used to identify where a possible tag scar is located on the turtle Tag scars are the residual scars left in the flipper once a tag has been removed or has fallen out Evaluating tag scars is difficult Be sure that the observer has been properly trained to detect tag scars before relying on this variable In the case of leatherback turtles it is even more difficult to differentiate a tag scar from other types of flipper damage Interpret such information with caution A text box is available to enter other information not included elsewhere on the data form PAGE 30 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Sighting Event Data Entry Form Sighting Event Data Entry Form Turtle ID New Species x Gender x Project E3 f Date Time Weather of Observers Observers Tag Numbers NewTag Pagett rl NH Add T LOCATION Add New Location Zone Landmark Observers aa a Country Location Name x f Zone F PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Event Latitudi Reba CCLNN SCLNN Event Longitude fn FB s CCLNT SCLNT f f Landmark Name Dist from Landmark m J ben NN Jint E j Ve ok Weight Kg Carapace Intact FF No boas Nu Diagno
69. s of Location Names and Location Names are subsections of Country Region In this way we avoid problems if the same subcategory name is found in more than one location For example a common practice on nesting beaches is to number beach zones If your database contains information from more than one beach and each beach has a similar number system e g stakes placed 20 m apart and numbered sequentially 1 2 3 n the hierarchical structure of the location will prevent confusion because each beach will have a unique name When entering location information on a data form the pull down lists for each location subsection will be limited only to its superior location PAGE 8 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 The broadest location category is Country Region Location Name is a subsection of Country Region and can be a reef or a sandy beach Location Name can be delineated by more that one set of lati tude longitude points if needed For example if the Location Name was a particular reef a series of points can be denoted to outline the perimeter of the reef to define its location Latitude Enter Latitude as decimal degrees e g 13 5019 Four decimal places are available For latitudes south of the equator use a negative value e g 13 5019 S should be 13 5019 Longitude Enter Longitude as decimal degrees e g 102 4932 Four decimal places are available For longitudes we
70. selected to record data collected during a project designed to capture sea turtles for research purposes or to record information on a turtle captured or entangled during fishing and later reported to the database manager or other authority Turtle ID This field is filled in automatically by the database program PAGE 26 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Species If species has not been automatically entered it may be selected from a pull down menu of choices green turtle hawksbill Kemp s ridley leatherback loggerhead olive ridley Gender If gender has not been automatically completed it may be selected from a pull down menu Project Each project has a unique identification name or acronym This name should appear on the pull down menu If it does not it should be entered in the Project Management module Date Date of capture is entered either as dd mm yyyy or mm dd yyyy depending on whether your computer uses American standard date format mm dd yyyy or European standard date format dd mm yyyy Time Time of capture is entered in 12 hour format with the designator AM or PM e g 11 30 PM Weather Weather is selected from a pull down menu including Clear Overcast Rain Stormy Strong Wind Broken Clouds Unknown of Observers This value represents the number of observers present at the capture The value should include the fisherman data recorder and or projec
71. server s name or initials from the list If the observer s name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using the Add New Observer button Once the new observer has been added to the database be sure to check the active box on the entry form click on the R button to refresh the list of choices on the pull down menu and then select the observer PAGE 21 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Tag Numbers Pre entered tag numbers can be selected from the pull down menu which is activated using the arrow at the left side of the entry field If the tag number has not been entered into the database you will be asked if you would like to add the number at this time If so an entry form will open to facilitate the entry Obviously you would not place a new tag on a dead turtle but if the turtle strands alive and is later released tagging it would be useful If the turtle is tagged as a result of the stranding and the tag number is being used for the first time click the New checkbox directly beside the tag number The status of the tag in the database will be changed from in stock to on turtle and will also allow a calculation of tag retention rates There is a tag error button included on the form This is used to note that there is some type of discrepancy in the tag record that needs correction Often during data entry the data manager will find pos
72. sible errors such as a tag number that appears on the data form i e the original paper copy to be unreadable or the data manager has reason to believe that the tag was read and recorded incorrectly By checking this box it bookmarks the tag number for later review and correction Page Number Paper data sheets used by project personnel should always be numbered consecutively prior to the entry of information into the database This simplifies error checking and correction should there be a need to refer back to the original paper data sheet It also facilitates reviewing miscellaneous notes or illustrations that may be on the original data sheet but not documented in the database e g sketches of beach erosion turtle injuries or ectobiota NOTE ALWAYS duplicate and archive two sets in separate secure locations of all paper data sheets The database archives information NOT data sheets A three ring notebook or other record keeping device should store all data sheets indefinitely All data sheets should be sequentially numbered because Page Number is the most direct link between the data sheet and the information provided by that data sheet to the electronic database The paper data sheets represent original information collected in the field and will often include notes drawings and other useful information not entered into the electronic database If they are lost or discarded they can never be replaced Treat them with respect
73. st of the Prime Meridian use a negative value e g 102 4932 W should be 102 4932 Add Edit Other Supporting Data Supporting data includes the following subcategories Add Edit Tag Status Data Add Edit Tag Type Data Add Edit Weather Data Tag Status ADD or EDIT Tag Type Add and Edit Weather f Wome Changes s to e these tame n this list eel enone oe a entries that use ti terms and can Wan ing Chang pee to the te rs nes CR SLIOETRE Warning Changes to the terms on this list will change all unexpected consequen ended that you 7 LAN unexpected consequences It is Far that you data entries that use these terms and can have CAD LS primarily to odd fe terms not to change A use this list primarily to add new terms not to change 4 LAY unexpected consequences It is recommended that you cueing toms existing terms BA use this list primarily to add new terms not to change existing terms Status n Stock TagTypelD TagType Weather Description T Flipper FE On Turtie Overcast Rai Lost 2 PT Stormy Strong Wind poses Broken Clouds 3 Other Pe Unknown AutoNumber Each of these subcategories opens a form which allows you to add new descriptors to the pull down list available on the data forms For example if you wished to add a new tag type such as a plastic flipper tag to the tag types this form will facilitate that addition However heed the warning on each form
74. stic Injuries Water Depth m Water Temperature c Parasites and Ectobiota Tag Scar Location 7 sm The Sighting Event Data Entry Form is used to enter information on a sea turtle sighting Most such re ports are opportunistic and data are often limited The sighting could be at sea e g at the surface as reported by a ferry captain or underwater as reported by a SCUBA diver or on land e g a turtle observed and reported by a member of the general public If the sighting is a nesting event or a cap ture event it could be recorded in either this module or on the nesting or capture modules Most often this form will be used to document opportunistic unplanned sea turtle observations Turtle ID This field is filled in automatically by the database program Species If species has not been automatically entered it may be selected from a pull down menu of choices green turtle hawksbill Kemp s ridley leatherback loggerhead olive ridley PAGE 31 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 ns Gender If gender has not been automatically completed it may be selected from a pull down menu Project Each project has a unique identification name or acronym This name should appear on the pull down menu If it does not it should be entered in the Project Management module Date Date of the sighting is entered either as dd mm yyyy or mm dd yyyy depending on whether your
75. t The report is date selected the user can limit the analysis by date Capture Events Summary Information Capture Events Summarizes all capture events by species project and year Stranding Events Summary Information Stranding Events Summarizes all stranding events by species project and year Sighting Events Summary Information Sighting Events Summarizes all sighting events by species project and year Hatching Events There is no automated capacity in Version 4 1 for summary analysis of hatching data General Event Summaries Number of Events by Year Summarizes all events by event type year species and project Turtle Size Calculates mean standard deviation minimum size maximum size sample size carapace measurements for each species and project The report is date range selected by the user Statistics are calculated based on all measurements the program does not automati cally delete outliers or incorrect measurements Turtle Weight Calculates the mean standard deviation minimum maximum and sample size for turtle weights The analysis is user selected for date range and species Number of Turtles Tagged Determines the total number of turtles tagged by species event type per year and by project Note In the development of this database we have focused on data structure and storage more than analytical output In part this because most researchers prefer to develop their own analysis tools Thus
76. t personnel as well as any non project personnel e g tourists or visitors Observer The observer is the person who is reporting the sea turtle event Click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Select the observer s name or initials from the list If the observer s name is not among those in the pull down menu add it using the Add New Observer button Once the new observer has been added to the database be sure to check the active box on the entry form click on the R button to refresh the list of choices on the pull down menu and then select the observer Tag Numbers Pre entered tag numbers can be selected from the pull down menu which is activated using the arrow at the left side of the entry field If the tag number has not been entered into the data PAGE 27 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 base you will be asked if you would like to add the number at this time If so an entry form will open to facilitate the entry If the turtle is tagged as a result of the capture and the tag num ber is being used for the first time click on the New checkbox directly beside the tag number The status of the tag in the database will be changed from in stock to on turtle and will also allow a calculation of tag retention rates There is a tag error button included on the form This is used to note that there is some type of discrepancy in
77. the tag record that needs correction Often during data entry the data manager will find possible errors such as a tag number that appears on the data form i e the original paper copy to be unreadable or the data manager has reason to believe that the tag was read and recorded incorrectly By checking this box it bookmarks the tag number for later review and correction Page Number Paper data sheets used by project personnel should always be numbered consecutively prior to the entry of information into the database This simplifies error checking and correction should there be a need to refer back to the original paper data sheet It also facilitates reviewing miscellaneous notes or illustrations that may be on the original data sheet but not documented in the database e g sketches of beach erosion turtle injuries or ectobiota NOTE ALWAYS duplicate and archive two sets in separate secure locations of all paper data sheets The database archives information NOT data sheets A three ring notebook or other record keeping device should store all data sheets indefinitely All data sheets should be se quentially numbered because Page Number is the most direct link between the data sheet and the information provided by that data sheet to the electronic database The paper data sheets represent original information collected in the field and will often include notes drawings and other useful information not entered into the electronic d
78. tip see diagram CCW Curved carapace width SCLNN Straight line carapace length NN measured with calipers SCLNT Straight line carapace length NT measured with calipers SCW Straight line carapace width measured with calipers Does carapace damage affect measurement Check 1 if yes The entry field is used to indicate that the measurement may have been af fected usually shortened by a damaged carapace Such measurements will corrupt population level evaluations of turtle size and should be excluded from any analyses Weight If the turtle was weighed enter that information here in kilograms Injuries and Diagnostic Characters Enter notes describing injuries or other diagnostic characteristics of the turtle Parasites and Ectobiota Enter notes associated with parasites or ectobiota e g barnacles found on the turtle Notes A text box is available to enter information not included elsewhere on the data form PAGE 16 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Tag Scar Location A pull down menu can be used to identify where a possible tag scar is located on the turtle Tag scars are the residual scars left in the flipper once a tag has been removed or has fallen out Evaluating tag scars is difficult Be sure that the observer has been properly trained to detect tag scars before relying on this variable In the case of leatherback turtles it is even more difficult to different
79. tle Conservation Network 2003 www widecast org The Data Management for Turtle Events subroutine allows the user to search records using a number of criteria including tag number turtle ID date of the event e g nesting sighting etc or event ID each record is given its own unique ID number It also allows the user to view all records delete a particular turtle s records or delete a specific event Finally the user can review a particular data record or merge separate records under a specific turtle ID Turtle Data Management cos Find pl utle joka Find by Event ID Show All pA D Lae Delete an Event hr Refresh Exit TurtlelD ProjectiD Species Paget Date Time Tagl Tag2 Tag3 CCLNT CCW Zone EventType EventID 12 TPI Leatherback 100 6 1 2008 12 59 00 M Testl Test2 Test3 154 112 amp Nesting 17 View Record Merge Record 13 TP1 Green Turtle 22 7 21 2020 11 59 00 PM Test4 Tests 124 123 12 Nesting 18 View Record Merge Record 3 PAGE 46 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Merge Record Button 12 Your Search Results TurtlelD Turtle Event ID 7 Turtle Event Type Nesting Ra Change this turtle ID to the Turtle you want this record to be merge with The turtle ID can Turtle Event Date 6 1 2008 be found in the Data Management Form Turtle Event Time 12 59 00 AM Project_Name g TurtleEventPage t 100 TagNumbers Test1 Test2 Test3 Record 14 rl
80. we stress the export functions of the program However we are willing to develop more data summary reports as users request them If there is a particular report you would like incorporated into the database please let us know contact Scott Eckert at lt seckert widecast org gt PAGE 44 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Chapter 5 Data Management WIDECAST REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE R Project Management WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Tagging Center Hosted By WIDECAST lider Caribbean Sea Turie Conservation Network The data management module is a very powerful feature of the WIDECAST database This module allows the user to search the database by tag number date event ID number and or turtle ID number It allows editing of any record in the database by enabling the recall of any data form It allows the user to delete any record or turtle in the database And finally it allows the user to merge two record to gether under one turtle ID number This module provides the capacity to go back into the data records to edit or correct data through a very simple user interface PAGE 45 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Data Management for Turtle Events DADECAST REGIONAL MARINE TURTLE DATABASE WIDECAST Regional Marne Turtle Tagging Center Hosted By AA WIDECAST Wider Caribbean Sea Tur
81. young It can also be used to record depredation or other damage nest loss e g to erosion or other nest fate prior to hatching Nest Hatch ID This field is filled in automatically by the database program Species If species has not been automatically entered it may be selected from a pull down menu of choices green turtle hawksbill Kemp s ridley leatherback loggerhead olive ridley Project Each project has a unique identification name or acronym This name should appear on the pull down menu If it does not it should be entered in the Project Management module PAGE 36 WIDECAST Regional Marine Turtle Database User s Guide Version 4 1 WIDECAST 2008 Page Number Paper data sheets used by project personnel should always be numbered consecutively prior to the entry of information into the database This simplifies error checking and correction should there be a need to refer back to the original paper data sheet It also facilitates reviewing miscellaneous notes or illustrations that may be on the original data sheet but not documented in the database e g sketches of beach erosion turtle injuries or ectobiota NOTE ALWAYS duplicate and archive two sets in separate secure locations of all paper data sheets The database archives information NOT data sheets A three ring notebook or other record keeping device should store all data sheets indefinitely All data sheets should be sequentially numbered because Page

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Eckert &amp; Sammy (2008) WIDECAST Database User Manual (ver4_1

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Eckert & Sammy (2008) WIDECAST Database User Manual (ver4_1