Junichi Okuyama described how seagrass meadows around Okinawa, Japan are collapsing due to over grazing by green #seaturtles. The 3 pillars of their approach looks at turtle population status and foraging ecology, seagrass meadow carrying capacity, and local stakeholders. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Trenton Aguilar assessed vessel avoidance behavior in green #seaturtles off the Gulf Coast in Florida. "Speed compresses the avoidance margin. At that margin is the difference between an encounter and strike." #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Kristin Haley described the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Wildlife Lighting Certification Program. The program has been successful in reducing #seaturtle hatchling disorientation. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
S. Pingo continued the theme of community building, involvement, and capacity building when working to reduce #seaturtle mortality in pelagic longline fisheries in Peru. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Carlos Mario Pacheco Turcios described efforts to strengthen community participation with a new MPA in El Salvador. Through consultation with community based experts, #seaturtle #conservation is strengthened. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Brittany Baechler described the ocean plastic pollution problem. The equivalent of 1 garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute. A review of necropsy results shows 1 in 20 #seaturtles died from plastic ingestion. New tool: Wildlife impact calculator. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Ana Valeria Esparza Guevara evaluated the effect of artificial light on green #seaturtle hatchlings on Tortuguero Beach, Costa Rica. Found artificial light directly impacts hatchling orientation. Red light is an improvement. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Shritika Prakesh described how #seaturtles are embedded in the iTaukei (indigenous communities) in Fiji. Turtles are harvested for ceremonial reasons at the direction of the chief. These communities are also integrating regulations and science with their traditional practices. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Anna Ortega presented the Pacific Leatherback Decision Hub, a new tool to share information. Leatherback #seaturtles are among the most studied species in the world, yet due to the multitude of jurisdictions it's difficult to access data. This tool promotes information sharing. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Thushan Javalath Kapurusinghe discussed #conservation and management of #seaturtles in Sri Lanka. Conservation challenges include negative impacts from tourism, habitat loss, agency and NGO capacity, and coordination among institutions. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Jacey Van Wert investigated leatherback #seaturtle #bycatch in Hawaii's deep-set longline fishery. Regs for hook shape/size, leader material recently changed to protect false killer whales & oceanic whitetip sharks. Changes increased leatherback bycatch, although impact is small. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Graeme Hays discussed the value of long term data sets including satellite tag data, counting and measuring turtles, and sand temperatures. He challenged the group to consider how these data will be used in 20, 50, 100 years? Must archive data so it is not lost! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026 #seaturtles
Hector Barrios-Garrido presented results from the #seaturtle #conservation program at Ras Baridi Beach in Saudi Arabia. Program includes wardens, surveys, reducing beach driving, removing marine debris, visitors centers. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
We're posting again today from the International Sea Turtle Symposium! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Kelleigh Downs described adaptive predator controls used to protect hawksbill #seaturtle nests in Hawaii. Predators include rats, mongoose, mice, feral cats. Live traps work if staff available, else AT220s.
Ana Vilma Henriquez Pocasangre shared group's work in #seaturtle nest protection, #bycatch reduction, education and outreach, and community collaboration, which is helping hawksbills in El Salvador to recover. In 2007, 100% of nests were consumed. In 2024, 99% were protected. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Bryan P. Wallace discussed his projects to work with fishers and reduce leatherback #seaturtle #bycatch in Trinidad and Tobago. "Co-created solutions take time to build trust, but ensure equitable, long-term, win-win outcomes."
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Andrew Mauer described how the Important Marine Turtle Area (IMTA) process can inform #seaturtle #conservation policy. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Shannon Gore shared how her group built a collaborate framework for #seaturtle recovery in the British Virgin Islands. Strategic partnerships and community collaborations were key. "In a changing ocean, resilience.... will belong to the strongest collaborations." #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Kelly Ann Howlett summarized 2 decades of community led #seaturtle #conservation in Port Hedland, Western Australia. Long term data and community involvement are key! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Leora Radetsky discussed the problem of light pollution, stating that it is often treated as a spectrum only problem. There are so many additional components that should be addressed to protect #seaturtles. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Kelleigh Downs described using thermal imagery to monitor hawksbill #seaturtles in Hawaii. Females, hatchlings, and non-native predators could be detected. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Brian Shamblin presented a new approach to characterize successfully breeding male loggerhead and green #seaturtles by genotyping sperm trapped in the perivitelline (PVM) membrane. So cool! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Alessandra Cani used stable isotope analysis to assess there demographic relevance of new loggerhead #seaturtle nesting on the Western Mediterranean. The recent increase in nesting events seems to be contributing to recruitment. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Carlos Carreras used genomic tools to characterize emerging #seaturtle nest sites in Italy. Found no relatedness among regions. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Jamie Adkins investigated whether there is a genetic component to leatherback #seaturtle migration in the Pacific. Found that they're is a genetic component. Genomic differences likely have functional consequences for migratory traits. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Patricia Guedes investigated seasonal migration and genomic patterns in green #seaturtles in Poilão Island, West Africa. Found that Poilão is a panmictic nesting population. Any genomic differentiation is subtle and possibly localized. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Jamie Clark is developing methods to age Kemp's ridley #seaturtles using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. Found the method is great for aging juvenile turtles up to maturity. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Chia-Ling Fong analyzed the wild recovery of green #seaturtles in Taiwan from anthropogenic injuries. Incorporated citizen science and sightings data. Found many minor wounds heal in 491 +- 240 days, while severe wounds take longer, 600 +- 190 days. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Teal Guetschow investigated the use of flashing green LED lights to reduce loggerhead #seaturtle #bycatch in Trinidad and Tobago. Found 59% reduction in bycatch. Also received positive feedback from fishers involved in the experiment. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
