Sea Turtle Week

05/30/2026

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

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

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👇

NOAA pressed to close Pacific to drift gillnets before endangered loggerhead sea turtles arrive amid fears of a record-breaking El Niño.

05/25/2026

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

05/22/2026

Happy International Day for Biological Diversity! 💙🐬🐠🐙

Biodiversity keeps our oceans healthy, and sea turtles play a big role. Green sea turtles help maintain seagrass beds, leatherback sea turtles eat jellyfish, and hawksbill sea turtles support coral reefs — and much more!

Protecting sea turtles helps protect the entire ocean.

Help save sea turtles👇
https://www.seeturtles.org/give

05/21/2026

Students at Sullivan’s Island Elementary School got an unforgettable surprise this spring when the island’s first sea turtle nest of the season appeared just steps from their school boardwalk.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Students at Sullivan’s Island Elementary School got an unforgettable surprise this spring when the island’s first sea turtle nest of the season appeared just …

05/21/2026

Loggerhead sea turtles are one of the largest sea turtle species, reaching 200 to 400 pounds and up to 4 feet long. They live in temperate and tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, with major nesting sites in Oman, Japan, Australia, and Florida. They are also the most common sea turtle in the Mediterranean.

Their biggest threat is bycatch, getting accidentally caught in fishing gear like trawls, longlines, and gillnets. Turtle Excluder Devices help reduce this in US fisheries, but are not widely used worldwide. In places like Baja California Sur, bycatch rates are among the highest in the world.

They also face threats from coastal development and, in some regions, are still hunted for their meat and eggs.

Learn more about loggerheads: https://www.seeturtles.org/loggerhead-turtles

05/20/2026

Ever wondered where the leatherback sea turtle gets its name?

Unlike other sea turtles, it doesn’t have a hard, scaly shell. Instead, it has tough, rubbery skin that feels almost like leather (hence the name).

They’re also ancient, existing in a similar form since the time of the dinosaurs.

📸:
*images taken under activities authorized by FWC MTP 205*

05/13/2026

Did you know you can pledge to avoid tortoiseshell when you travel? Products made from hawksbill sea turtle are still sold in some places, but you can help stop the trade.

✔️ Skip tortoiseshell items like jewelry, combs, and souvenirs
✔️ Support local, eco-friendly products instead
✔️ Speak up and let vendors know you choose turtle-friendly shops
✔️ Encourage others and report what you see

Take the pledge 👇
https://www.seeturtles.org/pledge

📸 Jake Brandwine

05/10/2026

is ONE month away!

Are you working in sea turtle conservation? Join us as a Sea Turtle Week partner. It’s free and easy.

Why join?
🌍 Boost your reach with
💡 Host events and engage your audience

Perks include:
🚀 Early access to social media assets
📣 Featured posts and added visibility
🏷️ Listing on our partners page

🌊 Join a global community protecting sea turtles

👉 Sign up: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfym6bbfUzoWl.../viewform

05/07/2026

Did you know, in Central America, it’s estimated that more than 60,000 sea turtles, mainly olive ridleys, are caught and drowned in shrimp trawl nets each year?