About
Developments history
Since 1970, sea turtles in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) have
been the subject of study and monitoring programs, which have resulted in the collection of
information on their biology, ecology and behaviour.
In 2007, in order to homogenize and standardize all the data sets collected, strengthen
existing collaborations, develop new ones, and facilitate large-scale information exchanges,
Kelonia, CEDTM and IFREMER, in partnership with the University of Reunion Island and IRD
(IREMIA and UMR Espace-Dev), joined forces to develop the "TORSOOI" database.
The database architecture was built from existing databases (Excel and Access), and adapted
according to the recommendations of international experts in terms of minimum and standard
formats for population monitoring and analysis of their evolution. These first developments
were made possible thanks to ERDF co-funding (Europe, State, Reunion Island Regional Council).
The first version of TORSOOI was delivered in 2010. Developments have continued to evolve
and improve the tool and its functionalities.
In 2011, the photo-identification software has been optimized to facilitate photo analysis. A
public access to the consultation of photo-identification data from Reunion Island has been
developed to allow participants in the local citizen science program to search for turtles
observed during their underwater explorations (www.photoidtortue.re). These developments
were made possible thanks to the financial support of the DIECCTE of the Prefecture Reunion
Island.
In 2013, the DEAL of Reunion Island financed the development of queries allowing the export
of data in the form of pre-formatted reports, and the revision of the management of data
access rights, allowing multi-user access by partitioning data.
From 2015 to 2019, as part of the National Action Plan for sea turtles in the French territories
of the Indian Ocean, new developments aimed at optimizing the use of the database were
undertaken in partnership with the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). The needs were defined
with the support of organizations involved in monitoring sea turtle populations in Mayotte
(Mayotte Departmental Council, Escale association and REMMAT). This new version of
TORSOOI allows multi-user access with shared data management as part of collaborative
programs.
Scientific partners and contributors:
Funding
Maintenance and animation
Maintenance of the tool in operational conditions and animation are provided by Kelonia with the support of the CEDTM.
B&B Web Expertise provides the development, hosting and maintenance of TORSOOI.