Each June, between World Oceans Day and World Sea Turtle Day, the global conservation community comes together for Sea Turtle Week – a seven-day campaign focused on one of the ocean’s oldest species. The week highlights all seven species of sea turtles and brings attention to the major threats they face today, including climate change, habitat loss and plastic pollution.

From the rare flatback turtle, found exclusively along Australia’s northern shores, to the massive leatherback – the largest and deepest-diving sea turtle – all seven sea turtle species are now listed as threatened or endangered, facing increasing challenges to their survival.

And these animals are critical components to the ecosystem. For example, hawksbill sea turtles keep coral reefs healthy by feeding on sponges that compete with corals. 

“Sea turtles face a variety of threats depending on where they live,” said Brad Nahill, co-founder of SEE Turtles, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to protecting these animals through community-based conservation. “But the two biggest growing issues that affect them all are climate change and plastic pollution.”

The inspiration for Sea Turtle Week came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which launched a US-based awareness week to showcase its work with sea turtles. Nahill and SEE Turtle’s late co-founder, marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, recognised an opportunity to grow the celebration into a global movement.

Noting the perfect timing between World Oceans Day (June 8) and World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), they launched a broader campaign aimed at uniting conservation organisations and communities around the world. The result? A powerful initiative that now reaches over 8 million people annually.

One key partner, among many in the effort, is Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach, Florida, where scientists, volunteers, and community members work together to rehabilitate injured turtles, educate the public, and advance vital research.

Climate change is skewing sea turtle populations heavily female in some places, as warmer sand temperatures influence hatchling sex ratios. Rising sea levels threaten nesting beaches, and plastic pollution continues to endanger both turtles and their habitats.

However, ongoing community-based conservation efforts, a strong global scientific network, and emerging technologies are improving our ability to monitor and protect these species.

Dr. Justin Perrault, LMC’s vice president of research, said: “The local community here in Juno Beach is extremely protective of the turtles on local beaches, showing that these are animals that people connect with and enjoy being near, and therefore want to help.”

It’s Nahill’s belief that without the consent and participation of local communities, “wildlife conservation is simply not possible.”

“Wherever we see turtle populations are recovering, it’s because the residents are involved in coming up with solutions. Whether that is helping to monitor turtle nesting beaches, engaging with fishers to adapt gear, or cleaning plastic out of turtle nesting beaches; coastal communities are critical to saving sea turtles,” says Nahill. 

One example comes from Colola Beach, Mexico, where the local Nahua Indigenous community – in partnership with researchers from the University of Michoacan – helped grow the number of turtle nests from fewer than 1,000 to over 85,000 in just two decades. Similar grassroots successes are emerging in places like Nicaragua, Panama, and El Salvador, where communities are reversing the decline of hawksbill turtles through protection and stewardship.

For Nahill, he hopes that Sea Turtle Week is something that helps connect people with these animals.

“There are so many ways to get involved between doing beach cleanups, using your voice to advocate, reducing your plastic waste, or volunteering on a project are all super helpful. My hope is that Sea Turtle Week helps inspire people to take action.”

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