Kayla Sargent
Researcher Interview: Analyzing Data from ...

With a team of collaborators, we tested new specially-designed prototypes of Lotek microsatellite tags on 160 juvenile sea turtles of four species in the North Atlantic. The data from these tags was published in a new article, "Novel Microsatellite Tags Hold Promise for Illuminating the Lost Years in Four Sea Turtle Species." We sat down with lead-author Tony Candela to talk about this article, his process as lead-author, and the important implications of these findings for the bio-logging community.

Researcher Interview: Analyzing Data from Microsatellite Tags on Juvenile Sea Turtles
Bycatch, Sea Turtle Tracking
Kayla Sargent
Leatherback Saved by Fisher-Researcher ...

When fishermen and researchers collaborate, they create opportunities to amplify efforts for the research and conservation of sea turtles. This past spring, Upwell participated in these efforts by providing a satellite tag for Liam Neythan, a leatherback sea turtle that was saved in Sinaloa, Mexico. Our collaborators, the fishers Edmundo Rafael Garcías Burgos and Mariano García Olivas, as well as Dr. Alan Zavala Norzagaray and the CIIDIR IPN Unidad Sinaloa are the key collaborators and heroes in this story.

Leatherback Saved by Fisher-Researcher Collaboration in Sinaloa
Leatherbacks, Sea Turtle Monitoring, Protecting Endangered Lea
Kayla Sargent
Aerial Surveys Result in One-of-a-Kind Finds

Upwell Research Project Technician Sierra Fullmer shares some of her most exciting sightings while conducting aerial surveys to look for leatherbacks off of the US West Coast.

Aerial Surveys Result in One-of-a-Kind Finds
Leatherbacks
Kayla Sargent
Why the High Seas Treaty Is Important to Sea ...

Most sea turtle species migrate and spend large amounts of their life history in areas of the ocean considered “high seas.” The high seas are the parts of the ocean that are not under the jurisdiction of any nation. In June of 2023, after almost two decades of negotiations, UN Member states adopted the Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty (also known as the High Seas Treaty) to provide a coherent and holistic framework for protecting the high seas. Earlier this month, Upwell Executive Director Dr. George Shillinger attended the High Seas Treaty symposium to learn more about how its implementation may impact sea turtle populations and to seek opportunities to further the protection of turtles at sea.

Why the High Seas Treaty Is Important to Sea Turtles
Leatherbacks, Sea Turtle Tracking
Kayla Sargent
Press Release: Novel Research Takes Marine ...

The new publication "Incorporating multidimensional behavior into a risk management tool for a critically endangered and migratory species," takes a look at how data on leatherback diving behavior can be used to improve the South Pacific TurtleWatch tool aimed at reducing bycatch.

Press Release: Novel Research Takes Marine Conservation Tools to a New Dimension
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Following Tiny Turtles at Sea Part II: Tag Deployment 

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Following Tiny Turtles at Sea Part II: Tag Deployment 

As you may have read about in our previous blog, Upwell developed prototype micro-satellite that are lighter than a penny to follow juvenile turtles at sea and learn more about the life phase known as the Lost Years. This data helps us to piece together the various routes juvenile turtles of different species and populations follow as they cross ocean basins for the first time. Read part two of our “Following Tiny Turtles at Sea” blog post to learn about how we release tagged turtles and plan to mobilize the data we collect.

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Following Tiny Turtles at Sea: Tag Tech

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Following Tiny Turtles at Sea: Tag Tech

Telemetry, also known as biologging, is when researchers use tags to follow an animal and collect data on its location, physiology, behavior and environment. This kind of data helps researchers create effective conservation strategies; for example identifying areas where an animal forages, breeds or builds its home and then reducing threats in those areas. Learn more about how Upwell is using cutting-edge telemetry tech to learn more about juvenile sea turtles in our latest blog post!

Why the High Seas Treaty Is Important to Sea Turtles

Why the High Seas Treaty Is Important to Sea Turtles

Most sea turtle species migrate and spend large amounts of their life history in areas of the ocean considered “high seas.” The high seas are the parts of the ocean that are not under the jurisdiction of any nation. In June of 2023, after almost two decades of negotiations, UN Member states adopted the Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty (also known as the High Seas Treaty) to provide a coherent and holistic framework for protecting the high seas. Earlier this month, Upwell Executive Director Dr. George Shillinger attended the High Seas Treaty symposium to learn more about how its implementation may impact sea turtle populations and to seek opportunities to further the protection of turtles at sea.

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Press Release: Novel Research Takes Marine Conservation Tools to a New Dimension

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Press Release: Novel Research Takes Marine Conservation Tools to a New Dimension

The new publication "Incorporating multidimensional behavior into a risk management tool for a critically endangered and migratory species," takes a look at how data on leatherback diving behavior can be used to improve the South Pacific TurtleWatch tool aimed at reducing bycatch.

Using Machine Learning to Understand Turtles’ Lives at Sea

Using Machine Learning to Understand Turtles’ Lives at Sea

What does a researcher studying animal behavior do when the animal they are studying takes off into the middle of the Pacific ocean? In this post, Upwell Researcher Dr. Nicole Barbour breaks down how machine learning can be used to help researchers interpret data from tagged leatherbacks to understand their behavior at sea. Featured image by Juergen Freund.

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Notes From The Field: Monitoring Florida’s Leatherbacks

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Notes From The Field: Monitoring Florida’s Leatherbacks

At the beginning of June, Upwell Executive Director George Shillinger traveled to Juno and Jupiter beaches in Florida to catch the end of the leatherback nesting season monitoring conducted at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) and participate in ongoing collaborative research projects. Read more about those projects and meet some of the leatherbacks that were monitored this season!

Farewell and Good Luck, Ember!

Farewell and Good Luck, Ember!

Ember the juvenile loggerhead sea turtle was released off the coast of Florida with a microsatellite tag on October 28th, 2022. This blog is the fourth and final post in a series covering Ember’s rescue, recovery, and oceanic journey.

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Ember In The Atlantic Ocean

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Ember In The Atlantic Ocean

Ember the juvenile loggerhead sea turtle was released off the coast of Florida with a microsatellite tag on October 28th, 2022. This blog is the third in a series covering Ember’s rescue, recovery, and oceanic journey.

A Brief History of the Sheila B. Research Vessel

A Brief History of the Sheila B. Research Vessel

Since 2021, John Douglas has worked with Upwell as captain of the Sheila B. research vessel while monitoring for leatherback sea turtles in the Pacific Northwest. The Sheila B. is a boat that has been specially engineered for the research work that it carries out. In this blog, John gives us insight into its history and its evolution into the perfect vessel for leatherback sea turtle monitoring.

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Ember the Juvenile Loggerhead Swims out into the Atlantic!

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Ember the Juvenile Loggerhead Swims out into the Atlantic!

Ember the juvenile loggerhead sea turtle was released off the coast of Florida with a microsatellite tag on October 28th, 2022. This blog is the second in a series covering Ember’s rescue, recovery, and oceanic journey.