Sea Turtle Stories

Rethinking Sea Turtle Conservation (Part 2) - With Dr Kartik Shanker

"There is no such thing as a sea turtle expert!" Dr. Kartik chuckles, recalling veteran biologist Dr. Jack Frazier’s words. "Sea turtles will always find a way to do something that baffles you." Although lighthearted, Dr Kartik's remark speaks to his instinctive curiosity and ever-evolving understanding of sea turtles. A leading scientist and sea turtle conservationist from India, Dr Kartik Shanker is a strong advocate for decolonising sea turtle conservation and embracing more pluralistic ways of engaging with nature - a notion that he weaves throughout this candid conversation. Part one of this bonus episode begins with Dr Kartik exploring the enduring mysteries of arribada (mass nesting events that continue to baffle researchers). But the discussion soon takes a deeper turn, examining how conservation practice often prioritises visible, emotionally charged threats while overlooking the more complex, intangible challenges facing sea turtles. The conversation on conservation conundrums continues in part two of the episode, where Dr. Kartik confronts one of the most side-stepped topics in sea turtle conservation: the consumptive use of sea turtles. He critiques the dominant philosophy of protectionism, questioning its unintended consequences and urging the conservation community to reconsider its approach. This episode goes beyond sea turtles, it tackles the larger idea of how we perceive our relationship with nature and the very practice of conservation itself. So tune in now for a conversation that challenges the status quo and raises some tough questions. FURTHER READING, SOURCES & REFERENCES: * Shanker, K., Pandav, B., & Choudhury, B. C. (2004). An assessment of the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting population in Orissa, India [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320703001046]. Biological Conservation. * Shanker, K. (2015). From soup to superstar. [https://www.seaturtlesofindia.org/from-soup-to-superstar/] HarperCollins Publishers India * R, H. (2021). The conservation paradox: Missing the meadows for the green turtles [https://roundglasssustain.com/conservation/green-sea-turtle-conservation]. RoundGlass Sustain. * Sardeshpande, M., & MacMillan, D. (2018). Sea turtles support sustainable livelihoods at Ostional [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/sea-turtles-support-sustainable-livelihoods-at-ostional-costa-rica/E0764E549205AC7280C60D546B3182E9], Costa Rica. Cambridge University Press. * Brockington, D. (2002). Fortress conservation: The preservation of the Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania (Vol. 13 [https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Fortress_Conservation.html?id=iwQkwJUpWO8C&redir_esc=y]). James Currey. * Kartel Shockington [http://kartel%20shockington%20is%20a%20failed%20comic%20book%20creation%20with%20special%20powers%20of%20rapid%20hair%20loss.%20he%20sometimes%20appears%20as%20kartik%20shanker,%20and%20at%20other%20times%20as%20dan%20brockington./]: Kartel Shockington is a failed comic book creation with special powers of rapid hair loss. He sometimes appears as Kartik Shanker, and at other times as Dan Brockington * Shanker, K., Early Capistrán, M. M., Urteaga, J., Mohd Jani, J., Barrios-Garrido, H., & Wallace, B. P. (2023). Decolonizing sea turtle conservation [https://www.seaturtlestatus.org/articles/decolonizing-sea-turtle-conservation#:~:text=THE%20MIGRATIONS%20OF%20SEA%20TURTLE%20PEOPLE,-Arrow%20colors%20indicate&text=To%20determine%20where%20sea%20turtle,2023%20that%20received%20225%20responses.]. SWOT Report Vol 18. * Dakshin Foundation [https://www.dakshin.org/]: An Indian not-for-profit, charitable, non-governmental organisation committed to environmental sustainability and social justice. To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate [https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleyproject/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OliveRidleyProject/], LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/olive-ridley-project], Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@oliveridleyproject] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudtQpJpRM7AnnifktxkFSg] Credits: Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh

Rethinking Sea Turtle Conservation (Part 1) – With Dr Kartik Shanker

"There is no such thing as a sea turtle expert!" Dr. Kartik chuckles, recalling veteran biologist Dr. Jack Frazier’s words. "Sea turtles will always find a way to do something that baffles you." Although lighthearted, Dr Kartik's remark speaks to his instinctive curiosity and ever-evolving understanding of sea turtles. A leading scientist and sea turtle conservationist from India, Dr Kartik Shanker is a strong advocate for decolonising sea turtle conservation and embracing more pluralistic ways of engaging with nature - a notion that he weaves throughout this candid conversation. Part one of this bonus episode begins with Dr Kartik exploring the enduring mysteries of arribada (mass nesting events that continue to baffle researchers). But the discussion soon takes a deeper turn, examining how conservation practice often prioritises visible, emotionally charged threats while overlooking the more complex, intangible challenges facing sea turtles. The conversation on conservation conundrums continues in part two of the episode, where Dr. Kartik confronts one of the most side-stepped topics in sea turtle conservation: the consumptive use of sea turtles. He critiques the dominant philosophy of protectionism, questioning its unintended consequences and urging the conservation community to reconsider its approach. This episode goes beyond sea turtles, it tackles the larger idea of how we perceive our relationship with nature and the very practice of conservation itself. So tune in now for a conversation that challenges the status quo and raises some tough questions. FURTHER READING, SOURCES & REFERENCES: * Shanker, K., Pandav, B., & Choudhury, B. C. (2004). An assessment of the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting population in Orissa, India [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320703001046]. Biological Conservation. * Shanker, K. (2015). From soup to superstar. [https://www.seaturtlesofindia.org/from-soup-to-superstar/] HarperCollins Publishers India * R, H. (2021). The conservation paradox: Missing the meadows for the green turtles [https://roundglasssustain.com/conservation/green-sea-turtle-conservation]. RoundGlass Sustain. * Sardeshpande, M., & MacMillan, D. (2018). Sea turtles support sustainable livelihoods at Ostional [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/sea-turtles-support-sustainable-livelihoods-at-ostional-costa-rica/E0764E549205AC7280C60D546B3182E9], Costa Rica. Cambridge University Press. * Brockington, D. (2002). Fortress conservation: The preservation of the Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania (Vol. 13 [https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Fortress_Conservation.html?id=iwQkwJUpWO8C&redir_esc=y]). James Currey. * Kartel Shockington [https://www.currentconservation.org/people/kartel-shockington-2/]: Kartel Shockington is a failed comic book creation with special powers of rapid hair loss. He sometimes appears as Kartik Shanker, and at other times as Dan Brockington * Shanker, K., Early Capistrán, M. M., Urteaga, J., Mohd Jani, J., Barrios-Garrido, H., & Wallace, B. P. (2023). Decolonizing sea turtle conservation [https://www.seaturtlestatus.org/articles/decolonizing-sea-turtle-conservation#:~:text=THE%20MIGRATIONS%20OF%20SEA%20TURTLE%20PEOPLE,-Arrow%20colors%20indicate&text=To%20determine%20where%20sea%20turtle,2023%20that%20received%20225%20responses.]. SWOT Report Vol 18. * Dakshin Foundation [https://www.dakshin.org/]: An Indian not-for-profit, charitable, non-governmental organisation committed to environmental sustainability and social justice. To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate [https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleyproject/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OliveRidleyProject/], LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/olive-ridley-project], Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@oliveridleyproject] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudtQpJpRM7AnnifktxkFSg] Credits: Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh

The Caribbean Tortuga Story - With Renato Bruno

The Caribbean presents a fascinating paradox in the sea turtle conservation story. On one hand, Costa Rica hosts the world’s longest running and most iconic sea turtle conservation initiative. Meanwhile, just up the coast in the neighbouring Nicaragua, one of the world’s few legal sea turtle fisheries flourish. So how does this contradiction play out for sea turtles of the Caribbean? As we know by now sea turtles are global citizens, caring not for our political boundaries. The Caribbean green turtles are no different, for they nest in massive numbers in Costa Rica and forage in Nicaragua. In Episode 8, Brazilian Sea Turtle Biologist, Renato Bruno, uses the story of the Caribbean green turtle to touch upon the messier realities of sea turtle conservation - the history of sea turtle take in the region which then spurred conservation action, to the nuanced present day dynamics of both illegal and legal harvest across the Caribbean, and even the intriguing interactions between two endangered species - jaguars and sea turtles. So join us for a compelling conversation that examines the successes and challenges of sea turtle conservation in a region rich with culture, complexities and contradictions. Links for additional reading: * Lagueux, C., Campbell, C., & Strindberg, S. (2017). Artisanal green turtle (Chelonia mydas) fishery of Caribbean Nicaragua: II. Characterization and trends in size, sex, and maturity status of turtles killed, 1994–2011 [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314142849_Artisanal_green_turtle_Chelonia_mydas_fishery_of_Caribbean_Nicaragua_II_Characterization_and_trends_in_size_sex_and_maturity_status_of_turtles_killed_1994-2011]. Marine Biology. * Asociacion Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina [https://www.sustainablevision.org/astop.html] * Turtle Love [https://www.turtlelovecr.org/] * Jaguars & Sea Turtles Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica [https://www.turtlelovecr.org/blog/jaguars-sea-turtles-tortuguero-national-park-costa-rica/] To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate [https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleyproject/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OliveRidleyProject/], LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/olive-ridley-project], Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@oliveridleyproject] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudtQpJpRM7AnnifktxkFSg] Credits: Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh

Decoding Male Sea Turtle Mysteries - With Renato Bruno

Ever wondered why we know so little about male sea turtles? Or why most of our knowledge primarily comes from the female half of the species? Male sea turtles are notoriously elusive, and unlike their female counterparts, male turtles rarely venture onto beaches. This makes studying them in the wild a real challenge. So how much do we know about male sea turtles? In Episode 7, we welcome Brazilian Conservation Biologist, Renato Bruno, to help us unravel the mysteries of male sea turtles. Drawing from nearly a decade of experience in sea turtle research, Renato shares incredible insights - from surprising instances of giant leatherbacks mistaking boats for mates to exploring the key differences in biology and behaviour between males and females. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that reveals the often-overlooked lives of male sea turtles, and expands our understanding of these incredible creatures. Links for additional reading: * Saragoça Bruno, R., Restrepo, J.A. & Valverde, R.A. (2020). Effects of El Niño Southern Oscillation and local ocean temperature on the reproductive output of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at Tortuguero, Costa Rica [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-020-03749-z#citeas]. Marine Biology. * Bruno, R. S., Restrepo Machado, J. A., Borges Guzman, G. R., Ramos Loria, J. I., & Valverde, R. A. (2022). Biomarkers of reproduction in endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at Tortuguero, Costa Rica [https://academic.oup.com/conphys/article/9/1/coab072/6365877]. Conservation Physiology. * Figgener, C., Bernardo, J., & Plotkin, P. T. (2022). Marine turtles are only minimally sexually size dimorphic, a pattern that is distinct from most non marine aquatic turtles. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.8963] Ecology and Evolution. * Laloë, J.-O., Schofield, G., & Hays, G. C. (2023). Climate warming and sea turtle sex ratios across the globe. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.17004] Global Change Biology. * Renato Bruno: Nat Geo Explorer [https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/renato-saragoca-bruno] To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate [https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleyproject/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OliveRidleyProject/], LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/olive-ridley-project], Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@oliveridleyproject] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudtQpJpRM7AnnifktxkFSg] Credits: Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh

Tackling Turtle Bycatch - With Dr Joanna Alfaro

Each year, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are accidentally caught in fishing nets—a phenomenon known as bycatch, which poses a grave threat to these already vulnerable species. “Even the death of one individual has implications for a population that’s already threatened. But in the case of fisheries, it's also not good for the reputation of the fisheries” says Dr Joanna Alfaro, a Peruvian marine biologist with 25 years of experience in marine conservation. Dr Joanna is also the Director and co-founder of ProDelphinus [https://www.prodelphinusperu.org/], a non-profit organisation in Peru that works with fishing communities to protect sea turtles and marine fauna from bycatch. Winner of Whitley Award, Dr Joanna, in this sixth episode of sea turtle stories, underscores the importance of working with fishing communities towards ensuring sustainable fisheries. “Of course, we have a special place in our hearts for turtles, but we also care for the people that are related to this marine environment. The ocean is not ours, it's everybody's” she emphasises. So join our host Minnie and Dr Joanna, as they tackle the critical issue of sea turtle bycatch, its mitigation in small-scale fisheries in Peru and the vital role of community engagement in conservation efforts. Links for Additional Reading: * Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Mangel, J. C., Bernedo, F., Dutton, P. H., Seminoff, J. A., & Godley, B. J. (2011). Small-scale fisheries of Peru: A major sink for marine turtles in the Pacific [https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02040.x]. Journal of Applied Ecology. * Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Dutton, P., Van Bressem, M.-F., & Mangel, J. (2009). Interactions between leatherback turtles and Peruvian artisanal fisheries [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232663201_Interactions_Between_Leatherback_Turtles_and_Peruvian_Artisanal_Fisheries]. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. * Gilman, E. et al. (2009). Mitigating sea turtle by-catch in coastal passive net fisheries [http://seaturtle.org/library/GilmanE_2010_FishFish.pdf]. SeeTurtles.org. * Bielli, A., Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Doherty, P. D., Godley, B. J., Ortiz, C., Pasara, A., Wang, J. H., & Mangel, J. C. (2020). An illuminating idea to reduce bycatch in the Peruvian small-scale gillnet fishery [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320719302873]. Biological Conservation, Vol 241 * Lewison, R., Wallace, B., Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Mangel, J., Maxwell, S., & Hazen, E. (2013). Fisheries bycatch of marine turtles: Lessons learned from decades of research and conservation [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236026421_Fisheries_bycatch_of_marine_turtles_lessons_learned_from_decades_of_research_and_conservation]. Annual Review of Marine Science To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate [https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleyproject/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OliveRidleyProject/], LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/olive-ridley-project], Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@oliveridleyproject] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudtQpJpRM7AnnifktxkFSg] Credits: The Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh