Endangered sea turtle populations show signs of recovery in more than half the world, survey finds
Sea turtles were protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, and Mexico banned all captures of sea turtles in 1990. But it took a few decades for the results of these actions — alongside efforts to protect nesting beaches and reduce accidental bycatch in fishing — to show up in population trends, she said.
Around the world, the problem of sea turtles dying after accidentally becoming entangled in fishing gear remains a major threat, said Wallace. New technologies are being developed to spare turtles, but they must be accepted and used regularly by diverse fishing communities to be effective, he added.
The survey was published in the journal Endangered Species Research and is the first update in more than a decade.
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Edinburgh Live
28-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh's Dynamic Earth will host Wallace & Gromit virtual reality event
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dynamic Earth is set to welcome Scotland's first ever Wallace & Gromit experience as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. Wallace & Gromit: All Systems Go augmented reality (AR) trail will be delivered from the multi-award-winning animation studio Aardman. Those behind the summer event, which runs from June 30th to August 31, have billed it as a fun filled family day out 'for cheese-lovers and budding inventors.' Those looking to attend are invited to download the free Wallace & Gromit All Systems Go Augmented Reality app available on both iOS and Android. Admission will cost £4.50 to the Dynamic Earth event, with those attending able to collect a special activity pack and unique AR location code at the Welcome Desk. The activity pack includes activity sheets and a pair of Gromit ears. An advert for the event stated: "Young inventors will unlock exciting, augmented reality scenes in the heart of Dynamic Earth, from trying Wallace's Techno Trousers to snapping selfies as the mischievous Feathers McGraw. Make sure your smartphone is ready—there'll be plenty of hilarious photo opportunities you'll want to share with friends and family. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "Don't forget to tag Dynamic Earth and Wallace & Gromit on social media! "Edinburgh's only Planetarium is getting in on the action too! As part of the summer celebrations, visitors can catch Wallace & Gromit's out-of-this-world antics on the big dome screen. "There will be daily showings of the classic A Grand Day Out with additional screenings of The Wrong Trousers on Saturdays and Sundays, continuing until August 31st. "And that's not all! These special showings will sit alongside our usual awe-inspiring Planetarium favourites, including We Are Stars, You Are Here, and our seasonal presenter lead show What's Up: Summer, exploring the 'super-cool' mysteries of our outer solar system. "So, whether you're building rockets with Wallace or star-hopping across the universe, there's more to explore at Dynamic Earth this summer!" Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Dynamic Earth added: "We're absolutely over the moon to bring Wallace & Gromit to Dynamic Earth! This imaginative and playful AR trail captures everything we stand for—curiosity, creativity, and a whole lot of fun. It's set to be a summer adventure you won't want to miss! "So, grab your phone and get ready for an unforgettable day out at Dynamic Earth this summer." To find out more click here.
NBC News
17-04-2025
- NBC News
Endangered sea turtle populations show signs of recovery in more than half the world, survey finds
Sea turtles were protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, and Mexico banned all captures of sea turtles in 1990. But it took a few decades for the results of these actions — alongside efforts to protect nesting beaches and reduce accidental bycatch in fishing — to show up in population trends, she said. Around the world, the problem of sea turtles dying after accidentally becoming entangled in fishing gear remains a major threat, said Wallace. New technologies are being developed to spare turtles, but they must be accepted and used regularly by diverse fishing communities to be effective, he added. The survey was published in the journal Endangered Species Research and is the first update in more than a decade.
The Independent
17-04-2025
- The Independent
Endangered sea turtle populations show signs of recovery in more than half the world, survey finds
Endangered sea turtles show signs of recovery in a majority of places where they're found worldwide, according to a new global survey released Thursday. 'Many of the turtle populations have come back, though some haven't,' said Duke ecologist Stuart Pimm, who was not involved with the research. 'Overall, the sea turtle story is one of the real conservation success stories." The study looked at 48 populations of sea turtles around the world. Scientists measured the impacts of threats such as hunting, pollution, coastal development and climate change to the marine animals. In more than half of the areas studied, threats are declining overall, the study found. But there are some exceptions. Sea turtle populations in the Atlantic Ocean are more likely to be recovering than those in Pacific waters. And leatherback turtles are not faring as well as other species. Globally, leatherbacks are considered vulnerable to extinction, but many groups are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. All seven of the regions where leatherbacks are found face high environmental risks, said study co-author Bryan Wallace, a wildlife ecologist at Ecolibrium in Colorado. Leatherback turtles are famous for making the longest known marine migrations of any animal – with some individuals swimming as many as 3,700 miles (5,955 kilometers) each way. That feat moves them through a wide swath of regions and may expose them to unique risks, he said. Meanwhile, green turtles are still considered endangered globally, but their populations show signs of recovery in many regions of the world, researchers found. 'By ending commercial harvests and allowing them time to rebound, their populations are now doing really well' in coastal waters off many regions of Mexico and the U.S., said co-author Michelle María Early Capistrán, a Stanford University researcher who has conducted fieldwork in both countries. Sea turtles were protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, and Mexico banned all captures of sea turtles in 1990. But it took a few decades for the results of these actions – alongside efforts to protect nesting beaches and reduce accidental bycatch in fishing – to show up in population trends, she said. Around the world, the problem of sea turtles dying after accidentally becoming entangled in fishing gear remains a major threat, said Wallace. New technologies are being developed to spare turtles, but they must be accepted and used regularly by diverse fishing communities to be effective, he added. The survey was published in the journal Endangered Species Research and is the first update in more than a decade. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
