Sea Turtle Week

Have you seen this study? Researchers examined how sea turtles interact with fishing nets. Entanglement in fishing gear is among the leading causes of death for sea turtles and many other marine species.

In controlled tank experiments, green and loggerhead turtles slowed down and often avoided nets when they could see them, suggesting visual cues may help reduce accidental capture in fisheries. Researchers also documented previously undescribed avoidance behaviors.

Green turtles exhibited more U-turn behaviors and net interactions, whereas loggerheads became entangled more frequently.

With just around the corner, we want to help raise awareness about the threats sea turtles face.

Read the study here 👇
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320725001983?

Good news!

Seagrass is making a comeback in Florida's Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile shallow-water estuary stretching along 40% of the state's east coast.

Healthy seagrass meadows are critical habitat for countless marine species. They provide food for manatees and green sea turtles, support fisheries, improve water quality, and help stabilize sediments.

In 2011, pollution-fueled algae blooms blocked sunlight and devastated the lagoon's seagrass, wiping out about 75% of seagrass. Then, the loss of seagrass contributed to the manatee starvation crisis in December 2020–April 2022, when 1,255 manatees died mostly due to starvation.

Read more👇
https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/05/26/seagrass-rebounding-in-struggling-indian-river-lagoon

Photo:

Without looking, can you name all 7 species of sea turtles? GO! 💚🐢

We'll wait... 😉

SEA TURTLE WEEK • JUNE 8–16

Every year, 11 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans.

That's the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic every minute. 🚛🤯

That plastic ends up:
🐢 In sea turtles
🐦 In seabirds
🌿 In mangroves
🏖️ On nesting beaches

In partnership with the Oceanic Society, we're taking action.

Join the Global Ocean Cleanup
June 8–16

https://bit.ly/2026GlobalOceanCleanup



Special thanks to our sponsors for making this effort possible.
ECO
Because Tees
LunchBots

Who is ready?!

is just a week away!

But today is World Reef Day, and reefs are vital to the health of our oceans, including sea turtles.

*Hawksbill sea turtles help keep reefs healthy by eating sponges.
*Green sea turtles feed in nearby seagrass beds and use reefs to rest.
*Loggerhead sea turtles forage on reefs, crushing crabs and shellfish.

📸

Did you know you can report tortoiseshell when you see it?

Products made from sea turtle shell, often from hawksbill sea turtle, are illegal to sell or bring into most countries. If you spot it for sale, don’t buy it. You can politely let the seller know you don’t support it, but don’t argue.

Instead, help stop the trade by reporting it. Share where you saw it, how much was for sale, pricing, and any details (or a link if it’s online). Even partial info helps. Also, take photos if possible.

You can stay anonymous, and your name will never be used publicly.

Submit information and learn more here: https://www.seeturtles.org/report-turtleshell

The Center for Biological Diversity has warned NOAA it faces legal action if it fails to protect endangered loggerhead sea turtles from drift gillnets ahead of a potentially record El Niño.

Read more👇

Sign of record El Niño spark calls to protect sea turtles off California - Oceanographic NOAA pressed to close Pacific to drift gillnets before endangered loggerhead sea turtles arrive amid fears of a record-breaking El Niño.

Just 2 weeks until !

As part of the celebration, we’re teaming up with the Oceanic Society for a global ocean cleanup to help protect marine life and the habitats sea turtles depend on.

Start planning and register your cleanup event here 👇
https://www.seaturtleweek.com/global-ocean-cleanup