Scientists solve the mystery of sea turtles' 'lost years'

> Studies that compared turtle movements to oceanographic drifters suggest that swimming by young sea turtles directs their oceanic dispersal [19,21]. In addition, research in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic suggests that young oceanic-stage turtles actively swim and there may be distinct differences among species in orientation, dispersal and swimming behaviour [19,21]. Understanding whether and when juvenile turtles are active swimmers or passive drifters is critical for determining dispersal trajectories, exposure and transition times in areas impacted by anthropogenic activities (e.g. oil spills) and connectivity between populations and habitats [29]. Without basic biological and behavioural data, it is difficult to improve assessments of anthropogenic impacts on protected species, necessitating conservative or precautionary approaches to management using ‘best available data’.