Sea Turtle Week is June 17–21, 2024. Swimming in Earth’s oceans for hundreds of millions of years, sea turtles lead incredible lives and survive for many decades at sea. They can travel thousands of miles in search of food, eventually returning to the beaches where they were born to nest.
As key parts of marine ecosystems worldwide, sea turtles face many threats today. Six sea turtle species are found in U.S. waters and all are threatened or endangered. During Sea Turtle Week, we're highlighting these marine reptiles and our work to conserve them.
Take a dive into our sea turtle features and videos below. Follow us on social media to see how NOAA conserves and protects sea turtle populations and how you can help, too.
Sea Turtle Features
Meet Josefa Muñoz, Ph.D. Student
From volunteer to NOAA Fisheries-funded graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi, learn more about Josefa Muñoz’s sea turtle journey.
Meet Alphina Liusamoa, Sea Turtle Biologist in American Samoa
Alphina is a wildlife biologist for the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. Learn about her background and her journey to studying and conserving sea turtles.
In Memoriam: Wendy Teas
NOAA Fisheries and the larger sea turtle community has lost Wendy G. Teas who passed away this April after a quiet battle to cancer.
For nearly three decades, Wendy served as NOAA Fisheries’ coordinator for the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. The Network provides essential information for conservation and management of sea turtles by documenting strandings along the coast from Maine to Texas and in portions of the U.S. Caribbean.
Wendy participated in many sea turtle research projects at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. She also jumped at the chance to work with other species including marine mammals, seabirds, and—on her personal time—even crocodiles. She mentored students and others early in their career and coworkers confided in her.
Wendy was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and a longtime resident of Miami, Florida. She held a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Northland College in Wisconsin. She was a nature lover with a lifelong passion for conserving sea turtles and other wildlife. She will be remembered for her dedication to the Network, her caring and kindhearted nature, looking out for those in need, and her willingness to lend a helping hand to others. Her close friends will remember her incredible generosity and thoughtfulness. Wendy left an indelible mark on our collective mission to conserve sea turtles.
In honor of Wendy, please consider doing a "random act of kindness." May she rest in peace.
Meet Joseph Pfaller, Sea Turtle Branch Chief
As part of the Faces of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center series, meet Dr. Joseph Pfaller. Dr. Pfaller enjoys conducting research that helps reveal the biological mysteries of sea turtles that, in turn, help guide conservation and management actions.
Podcast: Tackling Sea Turtle Bycatch with International Fishing Communities
An international program is helping fishers in the Pacific coast of Mexico to reduce bycatch of protected sea turtles.
Massachusetts Cold-stunned Sea Turtles: A Sign of Climate Change?
The number of cold-stunned turtles on Cape Cod is increasing, likely in part due to climate change. We are adapting our response and planning for the future to accommodate increasing numbers.
Rescuing cold-stunned sea turtles on Cape Cod
Recent Grants Supporting Sea Turtle Conservation
Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network partners leverage National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants to improve their sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts across the country.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Sea Turtle Program Grant Recipients
Eyes in the Sky: Using Drones to Measure Sea Turtles
What do drones and toy turtles have in common? Scientists are using these tools to measure sea turtles in the wild without ever touching them.
Learn about drones, sea turtles, photogrammetry, and more
Sea Turtle Week 2024: Partners in Conservation
A message from Kim Damon-Randall, director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, for Sea Turtle Week, June 17–21.
Read Kim Damon-Randall's leadership message
Meet Mitchell Rider, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Mitchell is a Postdoctoral Research Associate studying sea turtle movement ecology at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Learn more about his background, research, and advice for someone looking to become a sea turtle biologist.
NOAA Enforcement Helps Protect Sea Turtles
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement partners with federal and state enforcement agencies to protect sea turtles in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Protecting sea turtles in the Florida Keys
Where the Leatherbacks Roam
Scientists find evidence of critical feeding grounds for endangered leatherback turtles along the U.S. Atlantic coast by studying movement behavior with satellite tags.
Learn more about this leatherback sea turtle research
Green Turtle Conservation Successes and Continuing Challenges
A look at successes and challenges faced by different green turtle populations.
Multimedia
Video: Decoding the Mystery of Turtle Genomes
Researchers examined the genetic differences between green and leatherback sea turtles to see which species might be more resilient to climate change.
Decoding the mystery of turtle genomes
Video: Tagging Leatherback Turtles
Scientists tag leatherback sea turtles to learn where they are and how they use the water so we can better protect them from bycatch and other threats.
7 Sea Turtle Facts for the Ocean Lover
Sea turtles are fascinating creatures. Learn some facts about these much-loved marine reptiles.
