Environmental DNA provides a wealth of information for conservationists, archaeologists and forensic scientists. But the unintentional pickup of human genetic information raises ethical questions.
A nesting green sea turtle in the Chagos Archipelago.
Nicole Esteban
Scientists are predicting a record sargassum bloom in 2023. It’s already starting to wash up on beaches in Florida and the Caribbean and cause a stink.
Pam Longobardi amid a giant heap of fishing gear that she and volunteers from the Hawaii Wildlife Fund collected in 2008.
David Rothstein
Pam Longobardi collects and documents ocean plastic waste and transforms it into public art and photography. Her work makes statements about consumption, globalism and conservation.
To fish the oceans sustainably, nations must reduce bycatch, or accidental catches. But fishermen often resist changing gear or techniques that kill nontargeted species.
Artificial light is an emerging threat for marine ecosystems in coastal waters (Kochi, India).
Vinu Sebastian/Shutterstock
Matthew Hall, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Ingrid O'Sullivan, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand has no mandatory measures to prevent the bycatch of turtles. This is in stark contrast to Hawai'i, which has reduced its turtle bycatch by 90% using various mitigation measures.
A green turtle with a satellite tag at Poilão Island, Guinea-Bissau. Photo: Miguel Varela.
Miguel Varela
Sea turtles of Aldabra were almost hunted to extinction. But thanks to years of protection the much-loved animals are now thriving again - and so is the iconic giant tortoise.
For the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, every individual matters. A team of veterinarians and biologists has formed a network along the Gulf Coast to save injured sea turtles and the species.
Looking for bits of DNA at the University of Florida.
David Duffy
Though often seen as placid, turtles have been depicted as powerful, fighting animals since ancient times. One of the most famous battleships, the Korean Geobukseon, was called the ‘Turtle Ship’.
These trackways preserve an incredibly brief moment in time. More importantly, they tell us about ancient climates, and how turtle breeding ranges have changed over the millenia