Looking for Leatherbacks: The One That Got Away!

The Upwell and NOAA Fisheries team began conducting aerial and vessel-based surveys for leatherback sea turtles off the California Coast and spotted two leatherbacks! In this episode you can hear about the sightings and attempted capture before Upwell Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Heather Harris shows some of the tools and techniques she uses to collect critical health data about these giant turtles.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management provides support for our leatherback monitoring in the Pacific Northwest and portions of California. We also receive funding from the Ocean Protection Council for leatherback monitoring in California. Upwell gratefully acknowledges additional support from private donors, including the Schwemm Family Foundation, who we rely on for this project and all of our sea turtle conservation work. Thank you! Special thanks to San Jose State University, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and Captain John Douglas for the use of the specialized leatherback Research Vessel Sheila B.