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
March 6, 2026 at 11:09 PM
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
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
March 5, 2026 at 10:03 PM
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
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
March 6, 2026 at 7:52 PM
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
Jennifer Ha of Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources shared results of ten years of #seaturtle #conservation efforts. "Conservation works best when communities are part of the process." Well said! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Jennifer Ha of Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources shared results of ten years of #seaturtle #conservation efforts. "Conservation works best when communities are part of the process." Well said! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
ACCSTR student @ecologistash.bsky.social presented yesterday on the coprophagous relationship between remoras and green turtles. #ISTS2026
March 5, 2026 at 6:42 PM
ACCSTR student @ecologistash.bsky.social presented yesterday on the coprophagous relationship between remoras and green turtles. #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
March 5, 2026 at 10:08 PM
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
What a great story! Connie Ng of Hong Kong Maritime Museum shared her ocean literacy story as told by a 200 year old grandma green #seaturtle witnessing change in the ocean. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 10:12 PM
What a great story! Connie Ng of Hong Kong Maritime Museum shared her ocean literacy story as told by a 200 year old grandma green #seaturtle witnessing change in the ocean. #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
March 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
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
Yaniv Levy developed a lung lavage procedure that can increase survival rates for drowning #seaturtles. A simplified procedure may be able to be carried out by fishers at sea. This is very hopeful! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 5, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Yaniv Levy developed a lung lavage procedure that can increase survival rates for drowning #seaturtles. A simplified procedure may be able to be carried out by fishers at sea. This is very hopeful! #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Kimberly Finlayson investigated increased strandings and decreased health seen in green #seaturtles after a flooding event. Found that habitat degradation (loss of sea grass), nutritional stress, and infectious disease likely caused the strandings. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Kimberly Finlayson investigated increased strandings and decreased health seen in green #seaturtles after a flooding event. Found that habitat degradation (loss of sea grass), nutritional stress, and infectious disease likely caused the strandings. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Roldán Valverde investigated ovarian dynamics in captive loggerhead #seaturtles. Found that reproductive function in captive loggerheads similar to that in wild turtles. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Roldán Valverde investigated ovarian dynamics in captive loggerhead #seaturtles. Found that reproductive function in captive loggerheads similar to that in wild turtles. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Raschelli Lintz shared results of contaminant analysis of leatherback #seaturtles. One or more biotoxins were found in over half of the samples. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Raschelli Lintz shared results of contaminant analysis of leatherback #seaturtles. One or more biotoxins were found in over half of the samples. #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
March 6, 2026 at 9:41 PM
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
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
March 6, 2026 at 8:55 PM
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
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
March 6, 2026 at 3:26 AM
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
Fernanda Sobral Short analyzed green turtles' intestinal microbiome in Guanabara Bay, Brazil. Found increase in fibropapilloma in #seaturtles from highly polluted parts of the bay. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Fernanda Sobral Short analyzed green turtles' intestinal microbiome in Guanabara Bay, Brazil. Found increase in fibropapilloma in #seaturtles from highly polluted parts of the bay. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Nupur Kale looked at whether ambient water temperature influenced the inter-nesting interval of Hawksbill #seaturtles. In her study, she did not detect any relationship. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Nupur Kale looked at whether ambient water temperature influenced the inter-nesting interval of Hawksbill #seaturtles. In her study, she did not detect any relationship. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
Adam Kennedy shared stranding statistics of cold stunned #seaturtles in Cape Cod Bay. He shared how the New England Aquarium's warming protocols have adapted over the years to go from a 5- day to a 3-day schedule. No overall survival differences. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 5, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Adam Kennedy shared stranding statistics of cold stunned #seaturtles in Cape Cod Bay. He shared how the New England Aquarium's warming protocols have adapted over the years to go from a 5- day to a 3-day schedule. No overall survival differences. #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
March 6, 2026 at 9:28 PM
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
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
March 6, 2026 at 12:26 AM
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
Cool use of technology! Matt Ware used virtual reality to bring #seaturtle research alive to his students. This holds promise to increase access to and engagement in turtle #conservation. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
March 4, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Cool use of technology! Matt Ware used virtual reality to bring #seaturtle research alive to his students. This holds promise to increase access to and engagement in turtle #conservation. #ISTS44 #ISTS2026
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
March 6, 2026 at 7:29 PM
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
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
March 6, 2026 at 9:50 PM
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
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
March 6, 2026 at 12:47 AM
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