CF Sea Turtle Conservation Program 2015-16Rob James
This document provides a final report on the investigation and conservation of sea turtles on Drake Bay and Río Oro beaches in Costa Rica from April 2015 to March 2016. It describes the personnel and volunteers involved, background of the program areas, sea turtle biology, monitoring methodology, results of the nesting seasons including over 150 nests on Drake Beach and over 50 nests on Río Oro Beach, and conclusions. Key findings include an increase in volunteer recruitment, continued importance of the beaches for olive ridley and green sea turtle nesting, and maintenance of long-term nesting data for conservation.
Randall Arauz is the executive director of PRETOMA in Costa Rica and has been conducting research on hammerhead sharks and sea turtles around Cocos Island since 2004. The research involves tagging sharks and turtles with acoustic and satellite tags to track their movements. The data collected over the past 8 years shows that adult hammerhead sharks migrate between Cocos, Galapagos and Malpelo Islands while tiger sharks and sea turtles establish temporary residence at Cocos Island. One turtle tagged by Arauz's team was caught by illegal fishermen near Cocos Island, highlighting threats like overfishing. Arauz supports expanding protected areas around Cocos Island and enacting more sustainable fishing policies throughout Central
How have wildlife trade laws and protections been effective to Pangolin conse...Emily Summer
Wildlife trade laws have not effectively conserved the Chinese and Sunda pangolin. Populations have declined by 80-90% in the past 21 years due to unsustainable trade of their skins, scales, and meat. In 2000, CITES enacted a full trade ban but evidence suggests it caused trade to spiral out of control, with over 1 million pangolins traded internationally between 2004-2014. From 2000-2015, over 264,000 individual pangolins were seized, showing the ban did not slow trade or declines. Education and demand reduction are critical for conservation as poverty, corruption, and high prices drive poaching and illegal trade.
In 2014, Amigos de Sian Ka'an launched Maya Ka'an, a new ecotourism destination in Quintana Roo that combines conservation of the Sian Ka'an World Heritage Site with sustainable development of Mayan communities. They also conducted the first greenhouse gas inventory of the tourism industry in Quintana Roo, finding a carbon footprint of 69.38 pounds of CO2 per guest per night. Additionally, they implemented water management systems to provide clean water to 10 rural communities in Quintana Roo.
The Governing Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park
Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation are pleased to present
the 2011-2012 Galapagos Report - a compendium of scientific and social
analyses and observations designed to stimulate cogent, thoughtful
discussion and public policy that will help to protect Galapagos
ecosystems and its biodiversity and promote human well-being (“Buen
Vivir”) in the archipelago.
The articles presented in this edition of the Galapagos Report reflect
a range of disciplines and opinions within the general areas of human
systems, tourism, marine management, and biodiversity and ecosystem
restoration. In addition, two articles present the framework for
establishing a knowledge management initiative and a citizen science
program for Galapagos. We are pleased to include articles by authors
based in Galapagos as well as colleagues from around the globe, all of
whom have shared valuable ideas and information on critical and timely
issues.
It is the intent of the Galapagos Report to inform and stimulate discussion,
as well as catalyze critical research, and effective public action and
management policy. We are grateful to the wide range of collaborators
who have shared their vision for Galapagos and whose work is so critical
to the health and future of the archipelago. Our three institutions remain
committed to working in coordination with all Galapagos stakeholders
to ensure the long-term sustainability of this natural treasure, symbol of
Ecuador’s natural patrimony.
This document provides an overview of Hawaiian fishponds or loko i'a:
- Loko i'a were an ancient and sophisticated form of aquaculture unique to Hawaii that helped sustain the large native Hawaiian population. At their peak there were over 350 fishponds producing large yields of fish.
- Over time, fishpond production declined due to changing social conditions. However, there is renewed interest in restoring fishponds to provide economic opportunities and promote Hawaiian culture.
- This manual aims to help with the fishpond restoration process and sustainable management practices, covering topics like permits, construction, fish farming techniques, and developing a business plan. The goal is to revive fishpond traditions and their
CF Sea Turtle Conservation Program 2015-16Rob James
This document provides a final report on the investigation and conservation of sea turtles on Drake Bay and Río Oro beaches in Costa Rica from April 2015 to March 2016. It describes the personnel and volunteers involved, background of the program areas, sea turtle biology, monitoring methodology, results of the nesting seasons including over 150 nests on Drake Beach and over 50 nests on Río Oro Beach, and conclusions. Key findings include an increase in volunteer recruitment, continued importance of the beaches for olive ridley and green sea turtle nesting, and maintenance of long-term nesting data for conservation.
Randall Arauz is the executive director of PRETOMA in Costa Rica and has been conducting research on hammerhead sharks and sea turtles around Cocos Island since 2004. The research involves tagging sharks and turtles with acoustic and satellite tags to track their movements. The data collected over the past 8 years shows that adult hammerhead sharks migrate between Cocos, Galapagos and Malpelo Islands while tiger sharks and sea turtles establish temporary residence at Cocos Island. One turtle tagged by Arauz's team was caught by illegal fishermen near Cocos Island, highlighting threats like overfishing. Arauz supports expanding protected areas around Cocos Island and enacting more sustainable fishing policies throughout Central
How have wildlife trade laws and protections been effective to Pangolin conse...Emily Summer
Wildlife trade laws have not effectively conserved the Chinese and Sunda pangolin. Populations have declined by 80-90% in the past 21 years due to unsustainable trade of their skins, scales, and meat. In 2000, CITES enacted a full trade ban but evidence suggests it caused trade to spiral out of control, with over 1 million pangolins traded internationally between 2004-2014. From 2000-2015, over 264,000 individual pangolins were seized, showing the ban did not slow trade or declines. Education and demand reduction are critical for conservation as poverty, corruption, and high prices drive poaching and illegal trade.
In 2014, Amigos de Sian Ka'an launched Maya Ka'an, a new ecotourism destination in Quintana Roo that combines conservation of the Sian Ka'an World Heritage Site with sustainable development of Mayan communities. They also conducted the first greenhouse gas inventory of the tourism industry in Quintana Roo, finding a carbon footprint of 69.38 pounds of CO2 per guest per night. Additionally, they implemented water management systems to provide clean water to 10 rural communities in Quintana Roo.
The Governing Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park
Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation are pleased to present
the 2011-2012 Galapagos Report - a compendium of scientific and social
analyses and observations designed to stimulate cogent, thoughtful
discussion and public policy that will help to protect Galapagos
ecosystems and its biodiversity and promote human well-being (“Buen
Vivir”) in the archipelago.
The articles presented in this edition of the Galapagos Report reflect
a range of disciplines and opinions within the general areas of human
systems, tourism, marine management, and biodiversity and ecosystem
restoration. In addition, two articles present the framework for
establishing a knowledge management initiative and a citizen science
program for Galapagos. We are pleased to include articles by authors
based in Galapagos as well as colleagues from around the globe, all of
whom have shared valuable ideas and information on critical and timely
issues.
It is the intent of the Galapagos Report to inform and stimulate discussion,
as well as catalyze critical research, and effective public action and
management policy. We are grateful to the wide range of collaborators
who have shared their vision for Galapagos and whose work is so critical
to the health and future of the archipelago. Our three institutions remain
committed to working in coordination with all Galapagos stakeholders
to ensure the long-term sustainability of this natural treasure, symbol of
Ecuador’s natural patrimony.
This document provides an overview of Hawaiian fishponds or loko i'a:
- Loko i'a were an ancient and sophisticated form of aquaculture unique to Hawaii that helped sustain the large native Hawaiian population. At their peak there were over 350 fishponds producing large yields of fish.
- Over time, fishpond production declined due to changing social conditions. However, there is renewed interest in restoring fishponds to provide economic opportunities and promote Hawaiian culture.
- This manual aims to help with the fishpond restoration process and sustainable management practices, covering topics like permits, construction, fish farming techniques, and developing a business plan. The goal is to revive fishpond traditions and their
Native fish populations have declined significantly due to factors like habitat degradation and invasive species. One conservation practice is introducing fish populations to new habitats to reduce extinction risk. Least Chub populations declined due to these factors, leaving only six populations. In response, Least Chub were introduced to 23 new locations between 2005-2013. In 2014, 10 of these introduced populations were considered successful. The USFWS then evaluated these populations along with the six remaining native populations and determined the introduced populations increased the species' resiliency, redundancy, and representation, allowing for its removal from the candidate species list. Introduced populations can be an effective conservation tool for fisheries managers to help prevent species listings under the Endangered Species Act.
Mexico, with a population of 122 million is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. The country is known for its Pacific and Gulf of Mexico beaches and its diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles. Ancient ruins such as Teotihuacan (Aztec), Chichen Itza (Mayan) and Spanish colonial-era towns are scattered throughout the country.
This recovery strategy summarizes information on the Massasauga rattlesnake in Canada, which is assessed as Threatened by COSEWIC. It outlines the species' description, population and distribution, habitat needs, threats, population and distribution objectives. The strategy identifies critical habitat for the four regional populations in Ontario and provides a strategic direction for recovery through approaches like habitat management, outreach, and research. The strategy's long term goal is to secure viable populations across the species' current range in Canada to prevent further decline.
This document discusses conservation efforts for the Sulawesi crested black macaque (Macaca nigra), an endemic primate species found only in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. It describes a camera trap survey conducted across the species' range to (1) establish an initial baseline occupancy rate, (2) investigate how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence occurrence, (3) identify priority conservation subpopulations, and (4) test sampling and analytical protocols for temporal monitoring. The survey found an original occupancy rate of 0.66. The study underscores the importance of well-managed protected areas and intact forests for the long-term survival of the species. Comments discuss traditional consumption of wildlife, engaging local communities in conservation
Rescue and handling of Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus in Venez...ConBiVe
Given the importance of the rescue and rehabilitation
of confiscated manatees from illegal traffic or accidental
fishery entanglements, the handling and transport of
two Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus
in the ‘Llanos’ of Apure state in Venezuela is
described. In 1992, two ♀ calves were confiscated in
the region of Arichuna in the Apure River and transported
to a lagoon at the Fondo Nacional de Investigaciones
Agropecuarias, Biruaca, for rehabilitation. Data
about age, size, weight and haematological values were
recorded. In 1994, one of the manatees was transferred
to the Parque Zoologico y Botanico Bararida, Barquisimeto,
in order to form a breeding pair and start a
captive-breeding programme. Successful reproduction
was achieved in 2007, 2011 and 2013. In 1995, the
second ♀ Antillean manatee was released into a natural
environment in Santa Luisa Cattle Ranch, Apure state.
The confiscation, rescue, rehabilitation and transport
(by land and air) of these two ♀ Antillean manatees
were carried out satisfactorily.
- MPAs are marine protected areas where human activity is restricted to conserve natural resources. They are defined by local ordinances and laws.
- While the number of MPAs in Southeast Asia has increased, connecting them across ASEAN member countries remains a challenge.
- Overfishing and illegal wildlife trade are reducing shark populations and costing the Philippines an estimated $12 million annually.
Woolaver 2011. PhD. Ecology and conservation genetics of Ridgway's hawk.Lance Woolaver Jr
This dissertation examines the ecology and conservation genetics of Ridgway's Hawk, an endangered forest raptor endemic to Hispaniola. Over five years of field research, the author studied the hawk's global distribution, population size, breeding densities, nesting ecology, diet, genetic diversity, and social and genetic mating systems. Key findings include a population estimate of 91-109 breeding pairs remaining within a restricted 1600 km2 range. Nesting occurs in native palm and hardwood trees in intact and disturbed forest. Productivity is similar to other tropical raptors but nest failures due to human activities threaten long-term viability. Genetic analysis revealed relatively high diversity but signs of inbreeding within the small, isolated population.
- Pangolins are the world's only scaled mammals and are under threat due to hunting and habitat loss. They play an important ecological role by consuming millions of insects each year.
- Pangolin numbers have declined rapidly in recent decades due to overexploitation for meat and scales. Their slow reproduction makes recovery difficult.
- International trade bans have not stopped illegal trade, with over 250,000 pangolins estimated to have been traded illegally since 2000. Captive breeding programs also face challenges in keeping pangolins alive. Conservation efforts are working to curb poaching and trafficking while rehabilitating rescued pangolins.
Prairie Creek S.P.: Naturalists at LargePhat Nattie
Naturalists at Large is an outdoor education program that has served over 200 schools in California for over 20 years. They lead multi-day trips for students in grades K-12 to state parks and other natural areas around California to teach environmental science, outdoor skills, and team building. Their instructors are trained in wilderness first aid and they customize each trip to meet the specific educational goals and needs of each school.
This document provides an overview of articles in the June 2015 issue of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' publication "Connect". The main articles discuss water conservation efforts at zoos and aquariums, the use of full face mask scuba diving technology to engage visitors, the Chicago Zoological Society's social innovation initiative, AZA's conservation efforts around cetaceans, and a feature on the Vancouver Aquarium's environmental sustainability programs. Shorter sections cover news from various zoos and aquariums, conservation updates, research studies, and upcoming events.
This presentation introduces the concept of sustainable fishing and provides different organizations that also are being sustainably conscious about fishing. They even present how this is done in Alaska and in Hilo.
This presentation shows what is aquaculture, the different methods of aquaculture, and why aquaculture is important. Aquaculture benefits the oceans, economy, and environment. It maintains the health of our oceans, lessens the severity of overfishing, and reduces the transfer of diseases in sea creatures. It is a form of agriculture for those regions with poor soils and farming lands. In addition, aquaculture improves the health of the people by incorporating seafood into their diet.
24752-D, RSG Grantee Stephanie J. Rousso Conference Poster, Western Society N...StephanieRousso1
Citizen science data from the Sea Turtle Spotter project on iNaturalist.org is being analyzed to understand sea turtle spatial distributions. The project collects sightings from observers to map locations and identify species. An honors thesis found over 300 observers submitted 800 turtle sightings between 1996-2017, mostly of green and hawksbill turtles near the U.S. and Mexico Pacific coast. Researchers download and analyze the data in ArcGIS to identify areas of research interest and map turtle habitat use.
Hawaii is working to save biodiversity through efforts like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets and moving vulnerable pups away from sharks, significantly helping the endangered species. About 30% more Hawaiian monk seals are alive today because of these interventions. Scientists from 80 countries are also deploying new technologies like acoustic sensing, DNA barcoding, and tagging to better monitor ocean life as all nations are affected by issues like overfishing and pollution. These technologies allow for tracking greater numbers of fish and identifying endangered species.
Hawaii is working to save biodiversity through efforts like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets and moving vulnerable pups away from sharks. These interventions have helped the endangered monk seal population increase by 30%. Scientists from 80 countries are also deploying new technologies like acoustic sensing, DNA barcoding, and tagging to better monitor ocean life diversity and anticipate problems. Maintaining biodiversity is important for economies, medicine, adaptation, and sustaining fisheries.
This document discusses Hawaii's efforts to save biodiversity. It defines biodiversity as the variety of plant and animal life in an environment. Interventions like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets have helped save endangered species populations. New technologies are also being used to better monitor ocean life, including acoustic sensing to track fish populations and DNA barcoding to identify endangered species. Overall the document outlines the importance of biodiversity and initiatives in Hawaii and around the world to preserve life on Earth through species protections and innovative monitoring tools.
Surf Life Saving Australia has traditionally been dominated by white Anglo-Celtic males but is making efforts to embrace cultural diversity and be more representative of modern Australia. The 2005 Cronulla riots highlighted tensions between different ethnic groups at beaches. SLSA's On the Same Wave initiative aims to promote cultural harmony at beaches and within the organization by encouraging participation from diverse communities and developing inclusive practices. The program has had some success in attracting new diverse members but challenges remain in changing perceptions and fully embracing an inclusive culture.
Three major events occurred in the Indian River Lagoon in 2011:
1) Two large phytoplankton blooms stretched along the lagoon from north to south over seven months, resulting in significant seagrass loss.
2) In response, the St. Johns River Water Management District established an investigation into the northern bloom.
3) Researchers from the Smithsonian Marine Station are part of the team studying the effects of filter feeders on bloom formation. They are sampling invertebrates from over 40 sites that could potentially consume bloom-forming algae.
Amigos de Sian Ka'an Achievements 1. Semester 2014AmigoSianKaan
Amigos de Sian Ka’an proudly presents our achievements
of the rst semester of 2014. Over the last six
months the organization accomplished a number of
objectives that signicantly enhanced the preservation,
protection and sound use of the natural resources of the
Yucatan Peninsula.
This document discusses community awareness and crime prevention. It explains that community awareness and safety initiatives require a long-term community building process rather than one-time solutions. When community members work together by identifying local crime types and developing strategies, it can strengthen community spirit and reduce crime. Examples are given of activities to raise community awareness, such as blue ribbon campaigns, involving faith groups and schools, and distributing parenting resources.
Native fish populations have declined significantly due to factors like habitat degradation and invasive species. One conservation practice is introducing fish populations to new habitats to reduce extinction risk. Least Chub populations declined due to these factors, leaving only six populations. In response, Least Chub were introduced to 23 new locations between 2005-2013. In 2014, 10 of these introduced populations were considered successful. The USFWS then evaluated these populations along with the six remaining native populations and determined the introduced populations increased the species' resiliency, redundancy, and representation, allowing for its removal from the candidate species list. Introduced populations can be an effective conservation tool for fisheries managers to help prevent species listings under the Endangered Species Act.
Mexico, with a population of 122 million is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. The country is known for its Pacific and Gulf of Mexico beaches and its diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles. Ancient ruins such as Teotihuacan (Aztec), Chichen Itza (Mayan) and Spanish colonial-era towns are scattered throughout the country.
This recovery strategy summarizes information on the Massasauga rattlesnake in Canada, which is assessed as Threatened by COSEWIC. It outlines the species' description, population and distribution, habitat needs, threats, population and distribution objectives. The strategy identifies critical habitat for the four regional populations in Ontario and provides a strategic direction for recovery through approaches like habitat management, outreach, and research. The strategy's long term goal is to secure viable populations across the species' current range in Canada to prevent further decline.
This document discusses conservation efforts for the Sulawesi crested black macaque (Macaca nigra), an endemic primate species found only in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. It describes a camera trap survey conducted across the species' range to (1) establish an initial baseline occupancy rate, (2) investigate how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence occurrence, (3) identify priority conservation subpopulations, and (4) test sampling and analytical protocols for temporal monitoring. The survey found an original occupancy rate of 0.66. The study underscores the importance of well-managed protected areas and intact forests for the long-term survival of the species. Comments discuss traditional consumption of wildlife, engaging local communities in conservation
Rescue and handling of Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus in Venez...ConBiVe
Given the importance of the rescue and rehabilitation
of confiscated manatees from illegal traffic or accidental
fishery entanglements, the handling and transport of
two Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus
in the ‘Llanos’ of Apure state in Venezuela is
described. In 1992, two ♀ calves were confiscated in
the region of Arichuna in the Apure River and transported
to a lagoon at the Fondo Nacional de Investigaciones
Agropecuarias, Biruaca, for rehabilitation. Data
about age, size, weight and haematological values were
recorded. In 1994, one of the manatees was transferred
to the Parque Zoologico y Botanico Bararida, Barquisimeto,
in order to form a breeding pair and start a
captive-breeding programme. Successful reproduction
was achieved in 2007, 2011 and 2013. In 1995, the
second ♀ Antillean manatee was released into a natural
environment in Santa Luisa Cattle Ranch, Apure state.
The confiscation, rescue, rehabilitation and transport
(by land and air) of these two ♀ Antillean manatees
were carried out satisfactorily.
- MPAs are marine protected areas where human activity is restricted to conserve natural resources. They are defined by local ordinances and laws.
- While the number of MPAs in Southeast Asia has increased, connecting them across ASEAN member countries remains a challenge.
- Overfishing and illegal wildlife trade are reducing shark populations and costing the Philippines an estimated $12 million annually.
Woolaver 2011. PhD. Ecology and conservation genetics of Ridgway's hawk.Lance Woolaver Jr
This dissertation examines the ecology and conservation genetics of Ridgway's Hawk, an endangered forest raptor endemic to Hispaniola. Over five years of field research, the author studied the hawk's global distribution, population size, breeding densities, nesting ecology, diet, genetic diversity, and social and genetic mating systems. Key findings include a population estimate of 91-109 breeding pairs remaining within a restricted 1600 km2 range. Nesting occurs in native palm and hardwood trees in intact and disturbed forest. Productivity is similar to other tropical raptors but nest failures due to human activities threaten long-term viability. Genetic analysis revealed relatively high diversity but signs of inbreeding within the small, isolated population.
- Pangolins are the world's only scaled mammals and are under threat due to hunting and habitat loss. They play an important ecological role by consuming millions of insects each year.
- Pangolin numbers have declined rapidly in recent decades due to overexploitation for meat and scales. Their slow reproduction makes recovery difficult.
- International trade bans have not stopped illegal trade, with over 250,000 pangolins estimated to have been traded illegally since 2000. Captive breeding programs also face challenges in keeping pangolins alive. Conservation efforts are working to curb poaching and trafficking while rehabilitating rescued pangolins.
Prairie Creek S.P.: Naturalists at LargePhat Nattie
Naturalists at Large is an outdoor education program that has served over 200 schools in California for over 20 years. They lead multi-day trips for students in grades K-12 to state parks and other natural areas around California to teach environmental science, outdoor skills, and team building. Their instructors are trained in wilderness first aid and they customize each trip to meet the specific educational goals and needs of each school.
This document provides an overview of articles in the June 2015 issue of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' publication "Connect". The main articles discuss water conservation efforts at zoos and aquariums, the use of full face mask scuba diving technology to engage visitors, the Chicago Zoological Society's social innovation initiative, AZA's conservation efforts around cetaceans, and a feature on the Vancouver Aquarium's environmental sustainability programs. Shorter sections cover news from various zoos and aquariums, conservation updates, research studies, and upcoming events.
This presentation introduces the concept of sustainable fishing and provides different organizations that also are being sustainably conscious about fishing. They even present how this is done in Alaska and in Hilo.
This presentation shows what is aquaculture, the different methods of aquaculture, and why aquaculture is important. Aquaculture benefits the oceans, economy, and environment. It maintains the health of our oceans, lessens the severity of overfishing, and reduces the transfer of diseases in sea creatures. It is a form of agriculture for those regions with poor soils and farming lands. In addition, aquaculture improves the health of the people by incorporating seafood into their diet.
24752-D, RSG Grantee Stephanie J. Rousso Conference Poster, Western Society N...StephanieRousso1
Citizen science data from the Sea Turtle Spotter project on iNaturalist.org is being analyzed to understand sea turtle spatial distributions. The project collects sightings from observers to map locations and identify species. An honors thesis found over 300 observers submitted 800 turtle sightings between 1996-2017, mostly of green and hawksbill turtles near the U.S. and Mexico Pacific coast. Researchers download and analyze the data in ArcGIS to identify areas of research interest and map turtle habitat use.
Hawaii is working to save biodiversity through efforts like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets and moving vulnerable pups away from sharks, significantly helping the endangered species. About 30% more Hawaiian monk seals are alive today because of these interventions. Scientists from 80 countries are also deploying new technologies like acoustic sensing, DNA barcoding, and tagging to better monitor ocean life as all nations are affected by issues like overfishing and pollution. These technologies allow for tracking greater numbers of fish and identifying endangered species.
Hawaii is working to save biodiversity through efforts like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets and moving vulnerable pups away from sharks. These interventions have helped the endangered monk seal population increase by 30%. Scientists from 80 countries are also deploying new technologies like acoustic sensing, DNA barcoding, and tagging to better monitor ocean life diversity and anticipate problems. Maintaining biodiversity is important for economies, medicine, adaptation, and sustaining fisheries.
This document discusses Hawaii's efforts to save biodiversity. It defines biodiversity as the variety of plant and animal life in an environment. Interventions like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets have helped save endangered species populations. New technologies are also being used to better monitor ocean life, including acoustic sensing to track fish populations and DNA barcoding to identify endangered species. Overall the document outlines the importance of biodiversity and initiatives in Hawaii and around the world to preserve life on Earth through species protections and innovative monitoring tools.
Surf Life Saving Australia has traditionally been dominated by white Anglo-Celtic males but is making efforts to embrace cultural diversity and be more representative of modern Australia. The 2005 Cronulla riots highlighted tensions between different ethnic groups at beaches. SLSA's On the Same Wave initiative aims to promote cultural harmony at beaches and within the organization by encouraging participation from diverse communities and developing inclusive practices. The program has had some success in attracting new diverse members but challenges remain in changing perceptions and fully embracing an inclusive culture.
Three major events occurred in the Indian River Lagoon in 2011:
1) Two large phytoplankton blooms stretched along the lagoon from north to south over seven months, resulting in significant seagrass loss.
2) In response, the St. Johns River Water Management District established an investigation into the northern bloom.
3) Researchers from the Smithsonian Marine Station are part of the team studying the effects of filter feeders on bloom formation. They are sampling invertebrates from over 40 sites that could potentially consume bloom-forming algae.
Amigos de Sian Ka'an Achievements 1. Semester 2014AmigoSianKaan
Amigos de Sian Ka’an proudly presents our achievements
of the rst semester of 2014. Over the last six
months the organization accomplished a number of
objectives that signicantly enhanced the preservation,
protection and sound use of the natural resources of the
Yucatan Peninsula.
This document discusses community awareness and crime prevention. It explains that community awareness and safety initiatives require a long-term community building process rather than one-time solutions. When community members work together by identifying local crime types and developing strategies, it can strengthen community spirit and reduce crime. Examples are given of activities to raise community awareness, such as blue ribbon campaigns, involving faith groups and schools, and distributing parenting resources.
This document discusses community awareness and crime prevention. It explains that community awareness and safety initiatives require a long-term community building process rather than one-time solutions. When community members work together by identifying local crime types and developing strategies, it can help reduce crime. Strong community awareness also improves community spirit and gives citizens a sense of belonging. The document provides examples of community awareness activities like blue ribbon campaigns, involving faith communities and schools, and distributing parenting resources.
An invasive lionfish species has added to the threats facing struggling Caribbean coral reefs by multiplying and spreading faster than native species. They were likely introduced through private aquarium release and have proliferated across the Caribbean since the 1980s. Lionfish have no natural predators in the Caribbean, can eat voraciously, and have contributed to declines in juvenile fish populations of over 90%. To help control the lionfish invasion, the document proposes educating fishermen, divers, and communities about lionfish and promoting their consumption as an eco-friendly seafood option to reduce lionfish numbers and aid in the recovery of native species populations.
The document discusses the issue of overfishing and its negative impacts. It addresses that overfishing is a growing problem that affects societies, economies, and the environment. One of the world's largest fisheries in the East China Sea has been damaged by overfishing and pollution, confirming fears of fishermen and environmentalists. The optimum yield from fisheries is difficult to define precisely but should aim to maximize benefits while protecting marine ecosystems and reconstructing overfished fisheries to maximum sustainable levels.
Similar to 24752 D Rufford photo journal 2018-2019 (15)
Kinetic studies on malachite green dye adsorption from aqueous solutions by A...Open Access Research Paper
Water polluted by dyestuffs compounds is a global threat to health and the environment; accordingly, we prepared a green novel sorbent chemical and Physical system from an algae, chitosan and chitosan nanoparticle and impregnated with algae with chitosan nanocomposite for the sorption of Malachite green dye from water. The algae with chitosan nanocomposite by a simple method and used as a recyclable and effective adsorbent for the removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solutions. Algae, chitosan, chitosan nanoparticle and algae with chitosan nanocomposite were characterized using different physicochemical methods. The functional groups and chemical compounds found in algae, chitosan, chitosan algae, chitosan nanoparticle, and chitosan nanoparticle with algae were identified using FTIR, SEM, and TGADTA/DTG techniques. The optimal adsorption conditions, different dosages, pH and Temperature the amount of algae with chitosan nanocomposite were determined. At optimized conditions and the batch equilibrium studies more than 99% of the dye was removed. The adsorption process data matched well kinetics showed that the reaction order for dye varied with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity of the algae with chitosan nanocomposite toward malachite green dye reached as high as 15.5mg/g, respectively. Finally, multiple times reusing of algae with chitosan nanocomposite and removing dye from a real wastewater has made it a promising and attractive option for further practical applications.
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies.EpconLP
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies. With over 4000 installations worldwide, EPCON has been pioneering new techniques since 1977 that have become industry standards now. Founded in 1977, Epcon has grown from a one-man operation to a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative air pollution control technology and industrial heating equipment.
Presented by The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action at GLF Peatlands 2024 - The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action
Climate Change All over the World .pptxsairaanwer024
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the average weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It encompasses both global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have accelerated its pace and intensity
Evolving Lifecycles with High Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) and 3-D...Joshua Orris
The incorporation of a 3DCSM and completion of HRSC provided a tool for enhanced, data-driven, decisions to support a change in remediation closure strategies. Currently, an approved pilot study has been obtained to shut-down the remediation systems (ISCO, P&T) and conduct a hydraulic study under non-pumping conditions. A separate micro-biological bench scale treatability study was competed that yielded positive results for an emerging innovative technology. As a result, a field pilot study has commenced with results expected in nine-twelve months. With the results of the hydraulic study, field pilot studies and an updated risk assessment leading site monitoring optimization cost lifecycle savings upwards of $15MM towards an alternatively evolved best available technology remediation closure strategy.
Optimizing Post Remediation Groundwater Performance with Enhanced Microbiolog...Joshua Orris
Results of geophysics and pneumatic injection pilot tests during 2003 – 2007 yielded significant positive results for injection delivery design and contaminant mass treatment, resulting in permanent shut-down of an existing groundwater Pump & Treat system.
Accessible source areas were subsequently removed (2011) by soil excavation and treated with the placement of Emulsified Vegetable Oil EVO and zero-valent iron ZVI to accelerate treatment of impacted groundwater in overburden and weathered fractured bedrock. Post pilot test and post remediation groundwater monitoring has included analyses of CVOCs, organic fatty acids, dissolved gases and QuantArray® -Chlor to quantify key microorganisms (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, etc.) and functional genes (e.g., vinyl chloride reductase, methane monooxygenase, etc.) to assess potential for reductive dechlorination and aerobic cometabolism of CVOCs.
In 2022, the first commercial application of MetaArray™ was performed at the site. MetaArray™ utilizes statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis and multivariate analysis to provide evidence that reductive dechlorination is active or even that it is slowing. This creates actionable data allowing users to save money by making important site management decisions earlier.
The results of the MetaArray™ analysis’ support vector machine (SVM) identified groundwater monitoring wells with a 80% confidence that were characterized as either Limited for Reductive Decholorination or had a High Reductive Reduction Dechlorination potential. The results of MetaArray™ will be used to further optimize the site’s post remediation monitoring program for monitored natural attenuation.
Improving the viability of probiotics by encapsulation methods for developmen...Open Access Research Paper
The popularity of functional foods among scientists and common people has been increasing day by day. Awareness and modernization make the consumer think better regarding food and nutrition. Now a day’s individual knows very well about the relation between food consumption and disease prevalence. Humans have a diversity of microbes in the gut that together form the gut microflora. Probiotics are the health-promoting live microbial cells improve host health through gut and brain connection and fighting against harmful bacteria. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two bacterial genera which are considered to be probiotic. These good bacteria are facing challenges of viability. There are so many factors such as sensitivity to heat, pH, acidity, osmotic effect, mechanical shear, chemical components, freezing and storage time as well which affects the viability of probiotics in the dairy food matrix as well as in the gut. Multiple efforts have been done in the past and ongoing in present for these beneficial microbial population stability until their destination in the gut. One of a useful technique known as microencapsulation makes the probiotic effective in the diversified conditions and maintain these microbe’s community to the optimum level for achieving targeted benefits. Dairy products are found to be an ideal vehicle for probiotic incorporation. It has been seen that the encapsulated microbial cells show higher viability than the free cells in different processing and storage conditions as well as against bile salts in the gut. They make the food functional when incorporated, without affecting the product sensory characteristics.
ENVIRONMENT~ Renewable Energy Sources and their future prospects.tiwarimanvi3129
This presentation is for us to know that how our Environment need Attention for protection of our natural resources which are depleted day by day that's why we need to take time and shift our attention to renewable energy sources instead of non-renewable sources which are better and Eco-friendly for our environment. these renewable energy sources are so helpful for our planet and for every living organism which depends on environment.
Peatland Management in Indonesia, Science to Policy and Knowledge Education
24752 D Rufford photo journal 2018-2019
1. “Enhancing the Community-Based
Sea Turtle Conservation Model”
RUFFORD SMALL GRANT (24752-D)
Grantee: Stephanie J. Rousso
FINAL REPORT 2018-2019
Cover Photo: Daniel Vazquez, Team Member 2014 - 2019
2. Highlights
We began developing a long-term funding strategy to offer citizen science based expeditions and
retreats, specifically targeting the $81 US billion yoga industry, but also academic groups. So far for 2019,
we have two yoga retreats marketed, and in 2020, we have three academic groups confirmed, a yoga
retreat confirmed, and another retreat being planned, which will yield approximately $3000 US in
conservation dollars, 2 monitoring trips, and $1000+ to artisanal fishers and coastal communities.
This funding strategy is possible due to the partnerships we made over the past year with two eco-lodges,
a ecotourism company, a yoga teacher based in the U.S. and another one based in La Paz, and a
sustainable seafood gourmet chef. Upwell Turtles, a non-profit organization based in the U.S. will be the
beneficiary of the sea turtle data derived during retreats and expeditions.
Our citizen science approach has proven successful and sustainable to build capacity for our sea turtle
conservation model. This year we expanded our reach with sailboats originating from California and
extended participation with other key constituencies, most notably SCUBA divers and seasonal foreign
residents. The Patos Buzos dive club has been phenomenal in compiling data from sea turtles they
encounter on each dive. Upwell turtles was instrumental is the legal aspect of media releases with these
divers so we could use their photos and videos for outreach and website.
Over 300 people attended our outreach workshops, 73 people signed up to participate or wanted to
follow our progress, and 50 created a structured citizen science club in La Ventana Mary Sim, our first Sea
Turtle Ambassador has been leading the club by training volunteers on what data to collect in the field.
She also initiated the group to volunteer to spot and mark off nests with Grupo Tortuguero.
While we parted ways with one of our team members and another was more limited to participate than
planned, we increased our collaborate team by adding Vanessa Pelayo, Israel Llamas, Luis Angel Tello,
and Chef Andres Hernandez Acevedo. This core team brings decades of experience together and forms
a strong collaboration by unifying various ongoing sea turtle conservation projects in the region.
Vanessa has been instrumental with administrative tasks here, organizing and scheduling outreach
workshops, assisting with promotional materials and VHF radio announcements, and accounting needs.
Israel and Luis collected and preserved over 1000 sea turtle barnacles from critically endangered
hawksbill sea turtles that Vanessa and I are now analyzing in the lab. These barnacles serve as indicators
of a sea turtle geographic movements.
3. New
Partners
As my team evolves, so does the list of new partners we make as we grow. Our partners include U.S. based
and Mexico sea turtle organizations to collaborate on larger, more effective research initiatives,
sustainable seafood groups with the aim of collaborating with artisanal fishers to modify fishing gear,
practices, and locations to help protect sea turtles from accidental captures, citizen science groups,
ecotourism companies, and constituencies with the aim of reducing plastics that can indirectly harm sea
turtles and other marine life.
CHANTICO
foods
5. Sinaloa boasts the second largest fishing fleet in Mexico. This provokes a large competition driving prices for fish down,
making poaching sea turtles and other marine life attractive. The black market is not well patrolled or laws enforced
duetoremoteareas,fisherssignificantlyoutnumberinglawenforcement,andstillaculturaldemandforseaturtlemeat
even within the government.
Poaching: Beyond bycatch
In this photo, a former head poacher
now serves as an informant and
activistforprotectionofseaturtles. The
fisher demonstrates how to kill and
extract the meat of sea turtles and
explained the black market.
Onthisday,wecounted73batraysof
various size discarded after their
gilllrakers and wing meat were
extracted, and 22 sea turtle carcases
Team member, Dr. Alan Zavala has
been collaborating with fishers for the
past 15 years to change the culture
from poacher to protector
6. Guasave, Sinaloa:
CIIDIR Rehabilitation Center
After the founders of the Wildlife Department at CIIDIR, Dr Alan and Dr. Cesar Rey established trust with fishers, they began
bringing in sea turtles accidentally caught in their net to the CIIDIR graduate facilities. The team built a temporary structure and
received a large pool donated by the local aquaculture industry. While hawksbill and greens are the primary species,
loggerheads, with their large, powerful heads used for crushing hard marine invertebrates, bit holes in the rehab tank. The four
loggerheads provided the first documented sightings of this species in the Gulf of California. The team did their best to make
repairs, but ultimately, the damage was too much and the tank has been dismantled. Turtles were rehabilitated and released.
Since this is the only rehab center in all of NW México, with the exception of some holding tanks in La Paz, I have committed to
helping find funding to purchase a new rehab tank, one strong enough for all sea turtle species. This will be an integral
component of my PhD as I will be working with these fishers on evaluating bycatch and developing collaborative solutions to
reduce bycatch and improve their economic gain through sustainable seafood marketing.
7. During my trip to Sinaloa, I met Dr. Kai Okamoto, a researcher from Japan
studying bycatch in artisanal fisheries. He is a friend and colleague of Dr. Alan’s
and has visited Sinaloa several times. He has experience in finding solutions to
bycatch working with fishers in a collaborative manner. His research and insights
inspired me to develop my PhD research in bycatch. Now, Alan and I, along
with researchers from CICIMAR and Upwell, are forming a four-year doctoral
study to determine the spatial distribution of bycatch with fishers in Sinaloa.
Fisher Abelino Angulo hosted me in Costa Azul, Sinaloa for my workshops with
fishers there. He gave me an incredible tour of the fishing villages, of Costa Azul
and La Reforma and introduced me to the fishers with whom I will be
collaborating for my PhD research. Currently, Alan pays fishers for their gas and
time to report and tag sea turtles accidentally caught in their nets, so part of my
research will be an bio-economic evaluation in order to create a market-driven
solution by providing sustainable seafood products for our future academic and
citizen science groups.
Upwell matched Rufford funds for my trip to Sinaloa so I could attend the 21
annual conference in Mazatlan, Sinaloa. This conference is where we solidified
my commitment to Sinaloa and my PhD research project. A major
advancement was the acceptance and integration of my research into the
network of GTC. Dr. Agnes Mancini, a 5 time Rufford recipient, has been
instrumental in welcoming me and the Upwell team into the GTC network.
Collaboration
9. A last minute change in our project, we
switched San Cosme for Jalisco. In Jalisco,
along the central to southern pacific coast,
biologists Israel Llamas and Luis Angel Tello
began collecting and preserving dry
barnacles and other exhibitions from
hawksbill that fishers began bringing to the
Mayto Sea Turtle Research Center.
Israel, Angel, and I met at the 1st
International Conference, also where I met
Dr. Alan Zavala. They have contributed over
1000 sea turtle barnacles to study the
movements and habitat use of sea turtles
based on the molecular profile of the
barnacle. The barnacle project is going to
be ongoing for decades as so little is known
about the special commensal barnacle
species, Chelonibia testudinaria.
Dr. Catherine Hart in Nayarit has also been
assisting in the project. I am very motivated
and inspired to be working with such an
amazing team of colleagues.
10. Las Pacas fish camp
Reducing incidental capture (bycatch) of sea turtles with artisanal fisheries in Northwest Mexico begins by building trust and listening to the needs
of fishers. While we cannot stop the illegal poaching and bycatch of sea turtles everywhere, we are creating initiatives with a few select coastal
communities eager to work with us. So far, we have proven success in our methods with Las Pacas, and even more so with fishers and collaborating
team members in the states of Jalisco and Sinaloa.
Our collaborative team continues to promote
the positive changes these and other fishers are
making for the sake of sea turtle conservation.
Collectively, we aim to promote the solution
rather than focus on the problem.
11. Crystal Sanders, Fish Revolution teaching Las Pacas fishers and CSU
students about pole and line fishing as a sustainable seafood solution.
CSU students learning from fishers about the impacts of gillnets and
solutions they are trying to use to reduce bycatch
Las Pacas fish traps used to be more selective fishing
practices,yetstillnotreachingtheeconomicgoalsthey
need to survive.
Crystal Sanders, founder of “Fish Revolution”, a non-profit organization in
San Fransisco devoted to the sustainable seafood solution, visited us April
2019. She spent time with the Las Pacas fishing cooperative to learn more
about how she can collaborate with our team, especially our Chef to
develop economic incentives for the region through sustainable seafood
products.
With Rufford funds, we purchased a pole and biodegradable fishing line
so Crystal could teach the fishers how to catch from shore or their boat.
Then we purchased a sport fishing permit which allows them to catch
other,largerspeciesoffish. Nowtheygainjustasmuchcatching2-3larger
morein-demandfish(marlin,wahoo,sierra,tuna)onlinethantheydidwith
a gillnet.
Las Pacas is a unique cooperative in that thy have been working on
finding solutions to bycatch and overfishing. The older fishers (65+)
recognize that approx 70% of the fish they used to catch is now gone.
They claim they must go farther to catch much of anything worth value in
the market, the competition has increased with more and more fishers
from other areas coming into the bay with larger and faster boats,
catching more with their big nets.
When we brought academic groups, the fishers explain how they catch
fishusinggillnetsandfishtraps. Nowwithfouracademicgroupsconfirmed
for 2020, we hope the fishers will share more progress.
12. Colorado State University academic groups visited
Las Pacas fish camp which is appox 3 km from the
La Duna Ecology Center, where they stayed. La
Duna is our field site for hosting for academic, yoga
and citizen science programs as part of our
long-term funding strategy.
CSU is returning for week long programs and have
four groups confirmed for 2020 as part of our
long-term funding strategy.
Some CSU students couldn’t stay away. Kim Wynn,
Abigail Bearce, and Danielle Palms returned for a
month long internship where they learned about
citizen science and sustainable seafood solutions.
These three amazing women are now
spearheadingacitizenscienceexpeditionwithover
200 sailboats in the 2019 Baja HaHa rally promoting
Sea Turtle Spotter along the way and organizing all
the sea turtle data for Upwell.
13. Las Pacas Fish Camp:
SUCCESS STORY
Las Pacas is a success story and have formed a major collaborative partner over the years thanks to Rufford support. The hawksbill in the photo was
rescued from a fisher’s bait net only 5 meters from shore. Given the trust we have been able to build with these fishers from Rufford funding, they knew
to call us immediately so we could collect barnacles for a stable isotope study and release the turtle.
This success inspired Upwell and Grupo Tortuguero, new partners who have committed to helping Las Pacas with training to be part of the official sea
turtle monitoring network once we have the funds to replace their motor and buy the field equipment.
15. Outreach workshops at festivals, farmers markets, restaurants, fish camps, and other planned events
are all effective ways to get the word out about participating in Sea Turtle Spotter citizen science
program. As our audience grows, so does the format and dynamic of outreach workshops.
16. Ourteamandoutreachgreweffectivelywith
the participation of Dr. Agnese Mancini. She
shared information about GTC and has been
instrumental in collaborating the support of
GTC for Sea Turtle Spotter.
Upwell Turtles provided not only financial
support but also administrative support by
professionally designing field guides and
posters that we could use at outreach events
and to hand out to interested participants.
We reached over 300 people from events
and workshops. Of those, so far, 73 have
signed up to participant. However, while
numbers are important n outreach, we have
a core base of 23 active and ongoing
participants, who we call Sea Turtle
Ambassadors.
The sustainability of Sea Turtle Spotter relies on
thesegenerousvolunteerstonotonlyprovide
thedataweareseeking,butalsocontinueto
spread the word and generate more active
conservation from more community
members.
17. After their study abroad program facilitated by
Colorado State University in January 2019, Dani,
Kim, and Abigail returned to Mexico in March to
participate in an internship with our team. They
spent time in the field documenting strandings,
collecting barnacles, mapping out foraging
habitat with citizen scientists, and spent many
days and nights talking about Sea Turtle Spotter.
For graduation, they helped raise awareness for
Sea Turtle Spotter on sailboats, at coffee shops,
and collected sighting data via the VHF radio at
the local marina de La Paz. Upwell provided
some matching funds so we could increase our
reach and provide these girls with a great
experience.
They are returning again in November as the Sea
Turtle Ambassadors during a two week sailboat
rally extending from San Diego through La Paz
collecting data from over 200 participating
cruisers.
18. The addition of a chef to our team was unexpected, although very innovative. Chef Andres spent many years working in high-end
tourism restaurants and most recently a yoga retreat center. He has devoted his career to finding sustainable seafood products that he
usestomakecreativegourmetrecipes. Duringouroutreachworkshops,wediscussthethreatstoseaturtles,oneofthosebeingbycatch
in fisheries practices. During the workshops, to encourage people to not only participate in Sea Turtle Spotter, Chef Andres inspired
people to take on another role by being conscience consumers to help reduce the threat of bycatch as he prepared sustainable
seafood bites and talked to people about the fishers, how we are working with them to reduce sea turtle bycatch. During the project,
he forged partnership with Smart Fish, a nonprofit devoted to sustainable seafood solutions, to get our team fishers into their program.
19. International Sea Turtle Day, 16 June 2019, was a great success. Even
though it coincided with Fathers Day on a Sunday, and a huge event
downtown La Paz, we still had a great turnout. A new partner, No Mas
Basura. which means no more trash brought 14 high school volunteers
to celebrate their role in cleaning up the beach and being advocates
to reduce plastic near sea turtle habitat. Upwell rewarded these
young conservation leaders with an award and Chef Andres prepared
them sustainable fish kabobs.
20. Thanks to the fabulous efforts of volunteers from the La Ventana Citizen
Scientists club, they helped organize several workshops in La Ventana.
La Ventana is a small fishing village which exponentially grows from
November through March when 1000’s of foreigners flock here for one
of the best kite-boarding sites in th world.
We were able to reach over 100 people during our workshops to talk
about sea turtle spotter. Unexpectedly, kite boarders can spot sea
turtles from their kites, a great vantage point, making kite boarders a
new constituency to target for future years.
The club is now monitoring the beach for nests and using my method-
ology from my first Rufford grant to mark every nest with GPS and index
the beach to calculate density. As the town grows for the kite-board-
ing industry, it is more imperative than ever to have a strong coastal
habitat management plan. The data they collect and we can ana-
lyze will be the foundation for the protection measurements along the
coast as developed flock in with the kite boarders.
San Diego Sea Camp @ Palapas VentanaKite boarding season @ Baja Joe’s
22. Strandings continue to occur and almost every turtle we find dead on
the beach has a human impact. With the law change in Mexico
requiring a veterinarian be present for a necropsy, this made it
challenging to determine cause of death from only an external exam.
Regardless, our motive for reviewing strandings is not to classify
mortality, but rather to map out the distribution and timing of
strandings. With this information we can correlate fishing seasons,
locations with oceanographic conditions, and determine potential
origins of bycatch. This information, once published can facilitate
evidence to design conservation strategies with the Mexican
Commission for Fisheries in the future.
23. While stranded, dead sea turtles are not the highlight of our
work, they do provide important insight into marine habitat use
and spatial distribution. We have registered four loggerhead
turtles (three shown here) via the Sea Turtle Spotter citizen
science program.
We are drafting a scientific article of these strandings to
complement the recently publication from Dr. Alan Zavala
who documented the first sightings of loggerheads in the Gulf
of California reported by Sinaloa fishermen.
Accept for Alan’s report and these findings, there have never
been loggerheads reported in La Paz Bay or the larger Gulf of
California before. This demonstrates true, valuable success of
our citizen science program.
24. For several years, Mary Sim has been a dedicated volunteer and
one of our citizen scientists. As I have reported in previous Rufford
grant awards, she found a foraging and resting area of hawksbill
and green turtles in the small village she lives in El Sargento/La
Ventana.
This year, she helped formed the La Ventana Citizen Science club
and gained the support of over 50 volunteers. I helped them
design and structure the club, connected them with Grupo
Tortuguero for nest monitoring, and together, we are diligently
working on a citizen science manual with data sheets, an online
database where citizen scientists can enter in their own data, and
even give outreach workshops.
Mary delights in showing her sea turtle collection of skulls and
complete skeletons to people, especially my students and interns.
Her workshop is in her backyard, but during the kite boarding
season, her neighbors are less than supportive of the smell that
radiates from drying carcases. We hope in the future we can find
her some laboratory space where she can keep doing the
amazing work she contributes to us.
25. Photo: Alex Double, Sea Turtle Ambassador
Sea Turtle Spotter:
Case Study at “La Reina”
26. Manta Pacifico, a non-profit group in La Paz created this map of the underwater
sea-mount called, “La Reina”. The map was based on the drawing by Tamara
Double, an English ex-pat living in La Paz with her husband Alex Double, both avid
SCUBA divers. On the hand drawing, the couple notes where they spot sea turtles
and report them to Upwell.
27. Photo: Alex Double, Sea Turtle Ambassador
At La Reina, SCUBA diving is popular for the manta
rays that appear in the summer to feed on plankton.
Thanks to Alex and Tamara Double citizen science
interest and amazing photography, they have been
providing vital information on sea turtles too. Mantas
and marine turtles in the same area promotes legal
conservation of this area for these international
migratory and protected marine species.
28. The majority of sightings at La Reina are
registered as green turtles. This hawksbill,
loaded with barnacles in unique areas
provided more evidence to place La Reina in
a high priority conservation status. Hawksbills
are considered critically endangered and
each sighting is vital to register, owing to the
value of citizen science.
Photo: Alex Double, Sea Turtle Ambassador
29. Join our citizen science program and register your sea turtle sightings
online at www.inaturalist.org/projects/sea-turtle-spotter or via the
iNaturalist app on your mobile device.
Oremail photos and videosto spotter@upwell.org withthe following information:
Required: Date, Time, Coordinates (e.g.,Lat:24.533633 Lon:-109.927294)
If Available: Species, Turtle Condition, Behavior and Habitat
*All five species of sea turtles found in the Eastern Pacific
(including the Gulf of California) are protected by national
and international laws.
Become a Sea Turtle Spotter
Upwell’smissionistoprotectendangeredseaturtlesbyreducingthreatsatsea.
Your actions matter!
Green
Chelonia mydas
Hawksbill
Eretmochelys imbricata
Loggerhead
Caretta caretta
Olive Ridley
Lepidochelys olivacea
Leatherback
Dermochelys coriacea
If you eat seafood, make sure it was
captured using selective methods that
reduce sea turtle mortality.
Avoid single-use plastics; refuse straws
and bring your own reusable bags,to-go
containers and utensils. Clean up stray
plastics before they end up in the ocean.
Choose ecotour operators that support
conservation science and protect
turtles when making business decisions.
Learn more about sea turtles at
www.upwell.org.
In collaboration with:
Palapas Ventana, Planeta Libre Expediciones, and
EcoAdventures Cabo Pulmo are our newest citizen science
groups helping to collect and report sea turtle sightings at La
Reina and the nearby marine protected area of Cabo Pulmo.
We look forward to receiving data from these groups in the near
future. Below is the poster Upwell designed that we are sharing
with these locations and their SCUBA divers.
Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
30. Palapas Ventana dive resort
Long-term Funding Strategy
Our long-term funding strategy sustains
and enriches our sea turtle conservation
model by integrating economic
incentives for fishers like Aldalberto Garcia
of Sinaloa shown here.
31. As we move into 2020, we are excited to create innovative long-term funding strategy as suggested by Rufford. Planeta Libre
Expediciones is taking lead on this to develop a menu of responsible tourism activities at the La Duna Ecology Center. The founders are
local graduates of Alternative Tourism with great capacity to help us be fully sustainable over the next few years. Using a citizen
science approach, the program highlights sea turtle conservation targeting academic and yoga niche markets. The activities include
permitted sea turtle monitoring with Grupo Tortuguero, the Upwell research mission, and coastal community involvement. These
activities provide economic incentives for fishers as our Chef has prepared a menu of sustainable seafood meals with their products.
Marine algae diversity study (food of green turtles)
Cleanup and recording of plastics in and adjacent to sea turtle foraging areas.