Satellite telemetry has revolutionised sea turtle conservation research, but tag attachment methods carry welfare costs that require careful evaluation and mitigation.
The welfare cost of satellite tagging must be weighed against the conservation benefit of the data collected. When tagging is well-executed using current best practice — minimal drag profiles, appropriate attachment methods, pre-deployment health assessment — the welfare impact is low and short-term. Poor tagging practice causes prolonged hydrodynamic impairment and physical damage. Research institutions should require welfare impact assessments and follow IUCN/SWOT tagging guidelines as a condition of research approval.