Dear Colleagues, We would like to announce the publication of our new manuscript using fast-acquisition satellite telemetry to inform species co-management between dugongs and green sea turtles which could be applied to other sympatric or co-related species. The manuscript and PDF can be accessed at the following link: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0098944 PLOS ONE: Satellite Tracking of Sympatric Marine Megafauna Can Inform the Biological Basis for Species Co-Management PLOS ONE: an inclusive, peer-reviewed, open-access resource from the PUBLIC LIBRARY OF SCIENCE. Reports of well-performed scientific studies from all disciplines freely available to the whole world. Read more...<http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0098944> Abstract Context: Systematic conservation planning is increasingly used to identify priority areas for protection in marine systems. However, ecosystem-based approaches typically use density estimates as surrogates for animal presence and spatial modeling to identify areas for protection and may not take into account daily or seasonal movements of animals. Additionally, sympatric and inter-related species are often managed separately, which may not be cost-effective. This study aims to demonstrate an evidence-based method to inform the biological basis for co-management of two sympatric species, dugongs and green sea turtles. This approach can then be used in conservation planning to delineate areas to maximize species protection. Methodology/Results: Fast-acquisition satellite telemetry was used to track eleven dugongs and ten green turtles at two geographically distinct foraging locations in Queensland, Australia to evaluate the inter- and intra-species spatial relationships and assess the efficacy of existing protection zones. Home-range analysis and bathymetric modeling were used to determine spatial use and compared with existing protection areas using GIS. Dugong and green turtle home ranges significantly overlapped in both locations. However, both species used different core areas and differences existed between regions in depth zone use and home-range size, especially for dugongs. Both species used existing protection areas in Shoalwater Bay, but only a single tracked dugong used the existing protection area in Torres Strait. Conclusions/Significance:: Fast-acquisition satellite telemetry can provide evidence-based information on individual animal movements to delineate relationships between dugongs and green turtles in regions where they co-occur. This information can be used to increase the efficacy of conservation planning and complement more broadly based survey information. These species also use similar habitats, making complimentary co-management possible, but important differences exist between locations making it essential to customize management. This methodology could be applied on a broader scale to include other sympatric and inter-related species. Cheers, Christian Gredzens Christian Gredzens, MSc Research Assistant School of Earth & Environmental Sciences James Cook University Townsville, QLD, Australia 4811 Biological Science Technician Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Padre Island National Seashore - National Park Service Corpus Christi, TX, USA 78418 Christian.Gredzens@my.jcu.edu.au Phone: +1 360 430 4109