We are delighted to announce the publication of The State of the World’s Sea Turtles—SWOT Report, Vol. XII, now available online and in print.
The twelfth volume of SWOT Report features the first comprehensive maps of sea turtle nesting beaches and satellite tracking data for all of Africa and the southwest Indian Ocean. These elaborate maps were created in collaboration with dozens of individuals and institutions working throughout Africa, and feature sea turtle nesting data from 253 nesting sites, and from 294 satellite-tracked sea turtles. The maps are accompanied by a region-by-region overview of the sea turtle situation in Africa, written by sea turtle experts working throughout the continent.
Beyond the special feature on Africa, SWOT Report, Vol. XII explores a range of important and current issues in sea turtle research and conservation. Article topics include: the status of the loggerhead turtle; the impacts of urbanization on turtle habitats in West-Central Africa; the international trade in hawksbill turtle shell; how traditional taboos have helped save sea turtles in Ghana; and more.
The report is beautifully illustrated with images from renowned photographers including Thomas Peschak, Pete Oxford, Frans Lanting, and others.
SWOT Program Receives “Champions Award”
The State of the World’s Sea Turtles (SWOT) Program was honored at the 37th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation in Las Vegas, NV, USA with the International Sea Turtle Society’s “Champions Award.” The award recognizes the SWOT Program’s significant contributions to global sea turtle research and conservation over the past 14 years. In particular, SWOT was recognized for its efforts to convene people and projects worldwide in pursuit of a common mission to understand and conserve sea turtles and their habitats everywhere.
Special thanks go to the many hundreds of individuals and institutions worldwide who have contributed to the SWOT Program since 2003—we share this award with all of you—the SWOT Team!
