Our staff has been working nonstop to aid the turtles in the Gulf since the tragic BP oil spill disaster began.
The Sea Turtle Restoration Project's actions and accomplishments include:
STRP filed a lawsuit and negotiated with Unified Command, BP and others involved to end the burning of turtles alive in burn box operations
STRP organized scientific input into the protocol for burn operations to prevent burning sea turtles and other wildlife
STRP worked with the scientific community to propose 3 separate turtle rescue operations (still under consideration by the federal government, which is acting far too slowly on this issue)
STRP sent Dr. Chris Pincetich and Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, both PhD biologists trained in Hazardous Materials techniques, to provide additional human-power, as well as resources for getting more vessels on the water to rescue turtles. They were originally approved to participate in on-the-water sea turtle rescue by the federal government, but after their arrival Unified Command decided their volunteer protocol was incomplete, and now we are again awaiting approval
STRP began a coordinated approach to organize volunteers to get involved in hands-on rescue/cleanup when government approval issues are solved. Scores of people are ready to go and we have been organizing logistics on the ground in the Gulf (you can sign up here).
STRP has conducted on-water and aerial surveillance
STRP has coordinated with media to highlight the plight of sea turtles from the spill
STRP has opened negotiations with Texas shrimpers to coordinate rescue activities
STRP has recruited high-level retired NMFS & USFWS professionals to help negotiate through red tape that is preventing greater cooperation and action for turtles
STRP has opened discussions between US & Mexico conservation groups to foster regional cooperation on the government and NGO levels
Thousands of members and supporters have generously contributed to help make these efforts possible. STRP will continue to work to accelerate much-needed actions to protect and rescue sea turtles. Please join our Action Alert list and check this website regularly for more information:
Read our Daily Sea Turtle Updates from Dr. Chris Pincetich, Ph.D. who is currently traveling in the Gulf region. Check out our Blog for Chris Pincetich's first-hand accounts on the ground in the Gulf.
