Andrews Agyekumhene

Andrews Agyekumhene is a dedicated sea turtle conservationist and researcher based in Ghana. Since 2006, he has been at the forefront of addressing the key threats faced by sea turtles in the region. Andrews established the first sea turtle tagging program in Ghana, employing flipper, PIT, and satellite tags to gather crucial data on the biology, migration patterns, and preferred habitats of olive ridleys and leatherbacks. His efforts have not only expanded along Ghana's coastline but also fostered collaboration and dialogue among various stakeholders through the organization of the First Ghana National Sea Turtle Conference. By actively engaging local communities, Andrews has successfully eliminated threats like poaching and egg harvesting in multiple coastal areas. Moreover, he has made significant strides in addressing in-water threats by conducting research on the efficacy of green LED lights in reducing sea turtle by-catch in fisheries. This research involved fishing communities and yielded remarkable results, with an 81% reduction in turtle by-catch. Andrews also monitors the impact of climate change on sea turtles by employing temperature and humidity loggers in sea turtle hotspots. His research has far-reaching implications for sea turtle conservation and management, as it has informed policy decisions, highlighted inter-nesting areas, and examined the impact of beach vegetation on hatchling ratios. Andrews has taken diversity and equity issues into account by actively involving all segments of the community in his projects, ensuring the benefits of capacity-building and livelihood interventions are accessible to everyone. Despite facing obstacles such as changing attitudes, limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and weak enforcement, Andrews has persevered and shared his research widely through scholarly publications, general journals, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, regional and government reports, online sources, newsletters, and conference presentations. As a co-principal investigator and author, Andrews Agyekumhene's research and conservation efforts have made significant contributions to sea turtle conservation in Ghana and beyond.

Mariana M.P.B. Fuentes

Mariana M.P.B. Fuentes is a highly accomplished researcher and professor dedicated to advancing sea turtle conservation and management. With over 20 years of experience working with sea turtles in the United States, Australia and Brazil, Mariana's current research focuses on understanding the impacts of different stressors on sea turtles to inform conservation decisions. One of the projects she is currently undertaking is to explore the impacts of vessel interactions on sea turtles. Through a holistic approach, she investigates both (mortality) and non-lethal (displacement, impacts to foraging ecology and energy expenditure), employing animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems for fine-scale movement analysis. Mariana's work has not only enhanced scientific understanding of sea turtle ecology and biology but also directly informed conservation and management efforts. Her research findings have helped managers identify critical habitats, design conservation areas, and implement effective conservation actions. Mariana is also deeply committed to promoting diversity and equity in STEM fields. As a mentor and advocate, she has fostered an inclusive learning environment, worked with students and researchers from diverse backgrounds, and actively contributed to initiatives that support women and underrepresented minorities in science. Through her collaborative efforts with various organizations and indigenous communities across different continents, Mariana has effectively translated her research into actionable steps for conservation and has shared her work through scholarly publications, general journals, reports, online sources, and engaging presentations on social media platforms.

Kevin Lunzalu

Kevin Lunzalu is a dedicated marine scholar and conservationist based in Kenya, where he conducts his research project on sea turtles. With four years of experience working with these magnificent creatures, Kevin's current focus is on understanding the prevalence of macroplastics in data-deficient nesting locations along Diani beach. Through his capstone project for his Master’s degree in Coastal Science & Policy at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Kevin aims to inform sustainable action frameworks and responsive policies that significantly reduce plastic-induced post-hatchling mortality of sea turtles. By employing frequent beach monitoring, plastic audits, and citizen participatory approaches such as beach cleanups with students, civil society groups, and local communities, Kevin strives to categorize anthropogenic litter, identify sources of plastic pollution, and assess the impact on nesting sea turtle populations. His research has significant implications for sea turtle conservation and management, providing valuable data to guide awareness campaigns, education curricula, corporate strategies, policies, and conservation efforts. Moreover, Kevin's project embraces diversity and equity by actively involving volunteers from various backgrounds and age groups in the research process, fostering collaboration and ownership of conservation initiatives. Despite obstacles such as the mental and physical challenges of dealing with plastics, enduring the coastal heat, and facing the heartbreaking reality of hunted sea turtles, Kevin remains committed to his crucial mission of protecting these vulnerable marine creatures and their nesting habitats. To advocate for collaborative approaches in protecting marine ecosystems from the plastic crisis, Kevin has co-authored a paper on “the future of ocean plastics, designing collaborative frameworks,” which is published, open access and editor’s choice (Mofokeng et al., 2023).

Justin Perrault

Justin Perrault is a dedicated sea turtle biologist and Director of Research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in the United States. With a focus on sea turtle conservation, Justin has been working with these fascinating creatures for 17 years. His studies encompass maternal health, physiological processes, satellite tracking, and human impacts, aiming to understand the effects of humans on the health, reproduction, population dynamics, and survival of marine turtles. Collaborating with colleagues, Justin's research delves into nesting patterns, migration routes, health, contaminants, and disease processes of turtles, providing valuable insights into high-use areas, habitat health, water quality, and effective conservation measures. Justin's leadership at LMC's Research Department contributed to one of the most comprehensive sea turtle datasets globally, enabling evidence-based conservation decisions that contribute to the recovery of local and global sea turtle populations. Moreover, Justin prioritizes diversity and equity in his research, fostering an inclusive work environment and ensuring equal access to LMC's educational experiences. By disseminating research findings through scholarly publications, general journals, Research Gate, Google Scholar, regional reports, and government reports, Justin actively shares knowledge to advance sea turtle conservation efforts worldwide. Despite facing challenges such as funding limitations and staff shortages, Justin's commitment to his research remains unwavering, and under his guidance, LMC's research program continues to make significant contributions to sea turtle conservation.

Deadline to vote is June 15th 11:59PM.