--- title: "Marine Turtles: Which Species and Where to Find Them?" description: We offer for sale rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and any other jewellery set with genuine designer black pearls. url: https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/what-turtles-symbolize.html --- # Marine Turtles: Which Species and Where to Find Them? Marine Turtles: Which Species and Where to Find Them? ## 04 October 2025 ## **1. Sea Turtles: What Species and Where to Find Them?** There are seven species of sea turtles worldwide; five can be found in French Polynesia: - **Green Turtle** (Chelonia mydas), called honu in Tahitian – the most common in **Polynesian lagoons**. - **Hawksbill Turtle** (Eretmochelys imbricata), or **beak-headed turtle** – often found in coral reefs. - **Leatherback Turtle** (Dermochelys coriacea), rarer, mainly seen in open sea or **Tuamotu**. - **Loggerhead Turtle** (Caretta caretta), occasional presence. - **Olive Ridley Turtle** (Lepidochelys olivacea), shy yet present. ## **2. Life Cycle & Migration, with a Focus on Polynesia** **Green Turtle** (Chelonia mydas) - **Reproduction**: after 20–35 years, they migrate every 2 to 5 years to lay eggs near their birthplace. In **Polynesia**, the **Motu of Tetiaroa** is a renowned nesting site, scientifically monitored by **Te Mana o Te Moana**. - **Migration**: **Marine turtles** tagged at Rose Atoll have travelled ~1,600 km to **Fiji** after nesting. **Other Species** - Eretmochelys imbricata, Dermochelys coriacea, Caretta caretta, and Lepidochelys olivacea also migrate, though their behaviours are less documented locally. - **3. Habitat & Feeding** - **Lagoons & Seagrass Meadows**: primary feeding grounds for green turtles. The seaweed-scarce Polynesia urges **turtles** to migrate to richer food areas. - **Coral Reefs**: preferred habitat for hawksbill turtles, fond of sponges. - **Open Sea**: essential for leatherback and olive ridley turtles, especially during migrations. - **4. Conservation Status & Threats** **In Polynesia**: all species are threatened or endangered according to the IUCN. Main threats include: - **Destruction of nesting beaches** (urbanisation, tourism) - **Accidental captures**, plastic pollution - **Climate change**: altering incubation temperatures (influencing the sex of hatchlings) - **Illegal fishing**, egg harvesting. Strong actions are being implemented, including creating **protected areas**, egg harvesting bans, and scientific monitoring programmes (Te Mana o Te Moana, Tetiaroa Society). ## **5. Symbolism & Culture in Polynesia** - The Tahitian word “honu” refers to the green turtle, a sacred animal in **Polynesian culture**. - The turtle symbolises wisdom, **longevity**, protection, and a deep connection with the sea. - Traditional customs prohibited its consumption by priests and nobles. ## **6. Observations & Snorkeling: Polynesian Experiences** - Renowned Polynesian spots: Tetiaroa lagoon, Moorea, Tuamotu, where green turtles are approachable during dives. - Frequent encounters between snorkelers and turtles in shallow seagrass beds; greatly enjoyed by visitors. ## **7. Focus: Local Conservation Efforts and Initiatives** - **Te Mana o Te Moana** (founded in 2004): photo-identification, release of injured specimens, monitoring of births. - **Tetiaroa Society**: studies on the evolution of green turtle nests at Tetiaroa, regulated according to the Polynesian Environmental Code. - **Motu Reserves**: creation of sanctuaries on **nesting beaches**, with bans on capture and egg collection. ## **8. Why Sea Turtles Captivate** - Longevity & ocean memory: up to 70 years for greens, 500 kg and 2.7 m for leatherbacks. - Sense of direction: returning to birthplace with an internal magnetic compass. - Emotional symbol: wisdom, patience, connection to Tahitian sacredness (honu). ## **9. In Summary** - Polynesian species: green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, olive ridley. - Habitat: lagoons, reefs, open sea depending on species. - Life cycle: massive migrations for nesting, difficult juvenile survival. - Threats: human, climatic, and environmental. - Local actions: sanctuarisation, study, regulation, release. - Culture & symbolism: deep-rooted in Polynesian society, universal respect and fascination. ## **10. The [Turtle as Jewellery](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/): Between Symbol, Talisman and Elegance** The **turtle**, notably the Polynesian honu, has inspired numerous [**contemporary jewellery pieces**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/), worn by both women and men. Its powerful image, associated with protection and wisdom, makes it a universal talisman. **Why It Appeals:** - **Symbol of resilience**: the turtle's slowness and longevity embody inner peace, steady strength, constancy in effort. - **Connection to the ocean**: for those with a strong bond to the sea, it becomes a [**jewellery-memory**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/), a benevolent presence. - **Unisex jewellery**: a discreet [**pendant**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/) or a more stylised piece, the turtle suits all materials – silver, gold, wood, mother-of-pearl, volcanic stones, or [**Tahiti pearls**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/). **Growing Popularity:** - In **Polynesia**, the turtle is often carved as a [**traditional pendant**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/) (often in wood, bone, or mother-of-pearl), adorned with **Marquesan** or Tahitian motifs. - In [**contemporary jewellery**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/), it is reimagined in finely chiselled gold or silver, sometimes with a **Tahiti pearl** at its centre or as a mobile **pendant** beneath the shell. - It can be worn at the neck, wrist, or even on a signet ring, becoming an elegant and timeless good luck charm. At [**Poemotu**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/), this symbol could also find its place in dialogue with **black pearls**, [**engraved pearls**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/), representing the connection between terrestrial wisdom and lagoonal depth. **Marine turtles** are more than just beautiful animals: they are the ancestral link between humans and the ocean, bearers of memory, beauty, and **spirituality in Polynesia**. Protecting these species means preserving an invaluable natural and cultural heritage. [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/9e/ou%20trouve%20ton%20les%20plus%20belles%20perles%20de%20Tahiti%20-9e2f6425.png) 15 June 2026 ### Where Can You Find the Most Beautiful Tahitian Pearls? Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/where-find-best-tahiti-pearls) [![Offer a Pearl, Offer an Island: 5 Reasons to Choose a Tahitian Pearl for Christmas](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/ba/5-raisons-de-choisir-une-perle-de-tahiti-pour-noel--ba80b311.png) 07 August 2025 ### Offer a Pearl, Offer an Island: 5 Reasons to Choose a Tahitian Pearl for Christmas Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/gift-a-pearl-gift-an-island-5-reasons-to-choose-a-tahiti-pearl-for-christmas) [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/31/idees-pour-faire-un-noel-tahitien-311cf955.png) 07 August 2025 ### Christmas in the Islands: When Pearls Replace Snow Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/island-christmas-pearls-instead-of-snow) [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/15/heiva-i-tahiti-danse-tahitienne-15bb0bbd.png) 23 July 2025 ### Heiva i Tahiti: the soul of Polynesia in dance, music, and tradition Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/heiva-tahiti-polynesian-spirit-dance-music-tradition) [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/27/perle-tahiti-bracelet-homme-27cdab4b.png) 23 June 2025 ### Why Do Men Wear Tahitian Pearl Bracelets? Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/why-men-wear-tahiti-pearl-bracelets)