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Swim into Sea Turtle Week

Sea turtles are a key part of marine ecosystems worldwide but face many threats. NOAA works to protect and conserve six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters. All are threatened or endangered.
June 09, 2025 - Feature Story ,
National
Illustrated swimming sea turtles on banner for Sea Turtle Week

Sea Turtle Week 2025: Celebrating Sea Turtle Conservation

A message from Kim Damon-Randall, director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, for Sea Turtle Week, June 9–16, 2025.
June 06, 2025 - Feature Story ,
National
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles in the world, but many populations are rapidly declining around the world because of threats from bycatch, hunting, and habitat degradation. Credit: Jason Isley/Scubazoo (Photo taken under permit) Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles in the world, but all major populations are rapidly declining around the world because of persistent threats on their nesting beaches and in the marine environment. Photo credit: Jason Isley/Scubazoo. Photo for NOAA Fisheries use only.

Conserving Long-Lived Species: The Importance of Monitoring Decades-Old Individuals

Conservation and recovery of long-lived species requires continued monitoring of individuals. Meet some of the animals that have been known to scientists for decades.
May 09, 2025 - Feature Story ,
National
Southern Resident killer whales encountered during NOAA's Pacific Orcinus Distribution Survey in October 2021 Southern Resident killer whales encountered during NOAA's PODs (Pacific Orcinus Distribution Survey) in October 2021 near the west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Brad Hanson

Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Research and Recovery: A Year in Review

Fresh survey techniques, historic data retrieval, and rehabilitated new moms were just a few of the successes marked by the 2024 field camp season in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
May 05, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Pink and purple sunrise clouds over several field camps tents with many birds in the air. Caption: Field camp at sunrise on Tern Island, Lalo. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #PMNM-2024-001)

NOAA Fisheries Awarded $7 Million to Pacific Islands Projects

Projects will support NOAA Fisheries efforts to achieve healthy ecosystems and thriving marine economies.
January 08, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
A team of 8 safely carrying seal carrier towards the beach shoreline for release. Field response efforts for endangered marine life, such as the Hawaiian monk seal, are among the activities NOAA Fisheries funded in 2024. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

2024 Research for Pacific Protected Species

Inflation Reduction Act funds helped NOAA Fisheries scientists enhance our 2024 data for ice seals in Alaska, Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles in the Pacific Islands, and cetaceans off the West Coast.
November 13, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Marylou Staman conducts green sea turtle surveys at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals). Credit: NOAA Fisheries. Marylou Staman conducts green sea turtle surveys at Lalo in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. More than 90 percent of the Hawaiian green sea turtle population nests at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals). Credit: NOAA Fisheries. Taken under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permit #TE-72088A-3 and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Co-Manager’s Permit.

Massachusetts Cold-stunned Sea Turtles: A Sign of Climate Change?

The number of cold-stunned turtles on Cape Cod are increasing, likely in part due to climate change. We are adapting our response and planning for the future to accommodate increasing numbers.
June 18, 2024 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
A responder rescues a cold-stunned sea turtle from a Cape Cod beach. A responder rescues a cold-stunned sea turtle from a Cape Cod beach. Photo courtesy of Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay.

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.
June 17, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Southeast
An aerial photograph showing a boat and 3 small toy turtles circled in red in the water. These toy sea turtles, circled in red, were photographed using a drone flying at 128 feet altitude. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

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.
June 17, 2024 - Feature Story ,
National
Green sea turtle foraging in the shallow waters off Kona, Hawai‘I Island. A green sea turtle swims in the waters off O’ahu, Hawaii. These turtles are herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae. This diet gives their fat a greenish color (not their shells), which is where their name comes from. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Ali Bayless

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.
May 14, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Southeast
Two men in vests and khakis stand on a commercial fishing boat with nets at their feet. They are inspecting a net hanging between them. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers measuring a turtle excluder device on a commercial shrimp vessel. Credit, NOAA Fisheries