Help Protect Leatherback Sea Turtles!

Team fundraiser

Callie Veelenturf and María Dabrowski are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

In the East Pacific, leatherback sea turtles are critically endangered, largely due to accidental catch in artisanal fisheries. This population has declined by more than 99% in recent decades. In Ecuador, it is estimated that as many as 40,500 sea turtles of all species can be caught in artisanal fishing gear yearly. The Leatherback Project is working to combat this threat.

The Leatherback Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the massive leatherback sea turtle throughout its global range through research, education and advocacy initiatives aimed at mitigating fisheries bycatch, reducing plastic pollution and combating climate change. As sea turtles are flagship species, by studying them and the threats facing their survival, we can open the doors to conversations about the biggest threats facing our oceans today.

We work with local fishermen to document sea turtle bycatch events, monitor endangered species stranding events along Ecuador’s coastline, survey fishermen about their interactions with endangered species and perspectives on ocean conservation, and collaborate with local and national governments to find solutions to increase fisheries sustainability.

This is an urgent conservation cause! We have conservation leaders ready to devote their lives to protecting this ancient species, but in order to expedite reformative action for tangible change and recovery of leatherbacks in the East Pacific, we need, and would be extremely grateful for your support!

We are fundraising to further sea turtle conservation efforts in the East Pacific and the personal development of three early career conservationists (two Ecuadorian undergraduates and one US master’s student) through the completion of their thesis projects. These research projects involve monitoring the endangered species stranding rates along 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of Ecuador’s coastline near fishing ports, understanding the local communities’ dependency on sea turtles, interviewing fishermen on their cultural perspectives and ideas for enhanced ocean conservation, and mapping leatherback sea turtle habitat use in coastal habitats and fishing grounds to inform conservation strategies.

Funds will largely be used:

To purchase research equipment (sea turtle tagging equipment, tissue sample supplies, GPS, molecular analysis materials, survey printing costs, cameras for fishermen, field uniforms, etc.)
Travel to and housing in field sites (flights, bus, car rental, housing costs, food, etc.), and
For the personal development and field expenses of the conservationists (training costs, permitting and thesis fees, technician’s time, field health insurance, software costs for final product development, etc.).

We must reverse the East Pacific leatherback decline, before it's too late! We would be incredibly grateful for your support of this urgent cause and the conservation leaders ready to devote their lives to protecting this ancient species.