Answering these questions is one of the many reasons over 1,000 sea turtle researchers from 70 countries gather each year at the Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. The scientific gathering represents a major avenue for communication and

education within the sea turtle community.

There are seven species of marine turtles worldwide; all are listed as threatened or endangered. According to the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS), mankind’s actions, in particular in the 19th and 20th centuries, have brought many sea turtle populations to the brink of extinction.

“Today sea turtles have come to symbolise conservation efforts in a marine context,” says ISTS President Dr. Michael Coyne.

“Because they are a far-reaching and migratory group of animals, their conservation has required widespread international cooperation.”

Once a year, a group of research scientists, marine biologists and conservationists, known collectively as “sea turtlers”, gather to share their turtle stories. Over 380 oral and poster presentations are scheduled, covering topics such as ecology and evolutionary biology, fisheries, law and policy, behaviour and movement, and

conservation management. During the presentations, the scientists share what they have learned and alert their peers to promising new findings.

The 27th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation will be held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., February 22nd through 28th. For more information on the symposium, visit iconferences.seaturtle.org To learn more about sea turtles and to track individual turtles’ movements, visit www.seaturtle.org and click on “tracking”.

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