One of the few mother leatherback sea turtles coming to lay eggs

News & Events

Following is a just released article which sets the composite tone of the damages to our oceans and the root causes in abstract. Click on the RED Title below to read the entire article....

REVENGE OF THE JELLY FISH

One of the Goals and Objectives on behalf of the Leatherback turtle is to monitor the commercial fishing industry in USA waters and ensure that our marine sanctuaries along both Atlantic and Pacific coasts remain protected.

The reauthorized Magnusson-Stevens Act appoints the US Department of Commerce as the steward of maintaining a balance between the protection of marine ecosystems and the commercial fishing industry. Unfortunately, the “balance” appears to favor fisheries.

SOLO and other conservation organizations along with the general public must make our voice heard to ensure that sea turtles and other keystone marine species are protected against commercial fisheries and their notoriously destructive fishing practices such as drift and gill nets and long lines. SOLO’s efforts to protect Leatherbacks are compromised by their migration across the wide Pacific Ocean into US waters for up to 4 months each year. There may only be between 300-400 Pacific Leatherbacks remaining in existence today. The loss of even one heavily impacts the future of this species’ survival.

The following are some of the recent actions that SOLO has taken to ensure that the public’s voice is heard by the US government. These actions have been successful, and we will continue to take action to protect Pacific Leatherback turtles in US waters and will inform you when your help is needed to support our cause by sending letters, etc. to the government agencies. Our collective “voice” on behalf of the Leatherbacks and other marine life is a powerful tool to help protect our marine ecosystems.

The following are SOLO communications conducted to protect the Leatherback sea turtle in US waters:

In Opposition to NOAA Permits to allow long liners to enter the Florida East Coast fishing grounds and the Charleston "Bump". Both are in protected fish sanctuaries.

In Opposition to NOAA RIN 0648-XH38 plans to allow long liners into California protected (for over 15 years) Marine Sanctuary.

12/11/07 - Reply from the California Coastal Commission regarding opening marine protected areas to commerical longline fishing: "Consistency Certification for Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) for longline fishing in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the California coast' (DOC)

12/4/07- 2nd Opposition Letter to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) regarding opening marine protected areas to commerical longline fishing to protect the endangered leatherback sea turtle (PDF)

7/10/2007 - Opposition to Issue Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) to Any and All Long Line Fishing Along the California and Oregon Coasts (PDF)

	REMEMBERING AKIL
	Akil Yusuf – 7-20-1965 to 6-6-2009 Recipient of DISNEY 2008 Conservation Hero Award
	Akil Yusuf, Director of our associate Indonesian NGO died today while undergoing major surgery after a motorbike crash. Akil left a young wife and four children, ages 4 to 12 without survivor benefits. Akil was an honest man dedicated to his family, his religion and survival of the Leatherback Turtles. We have set up a Trust Account to assist his family. We became “Brothers” while sharing the unending battles to save these Leatherbacks from extinction.

Our Newsletter

We are excited to provide you with our latest Leatherback Turtle News. Our newsletter has been a long time in development. Thanks to Liz Logan, it is now a reality.

We plan to publish each edition at least 2 times a year; maybe more - by e-mail. Positive and productive comments are welcome as are any inputs for Articles.

Any suggested article should be with clear .jpg photos at 300 ppi and word count less than 500.

Send to us at e-mail address: info-saveourleatherbacks@earthlink.net

To read the current LEATHERBACK TURTLE NEWS LETTER, click here: LEATHERBACK TURTLE NEWS

SOLO Press

SOLO 2008 EXPEDITIONS
A TERRIFIC SUCCESS

Papua Barat, Indonesia, November 12, 2008

Save Our Leatherbacks Operation (SOLO) conducted its fourth year of Expeditions to the Leatherback Turtle Nesting Beaches located in very remote Papua Barat, Indonesia. Each summer between May and October, between two (2) and four (4) Expeditions are conducted for the direct benefit of both SCUBA divers and others who are keen to see and actually film and touch this living "dinosaur" from the past. The Leatherback sea turtle is nearly the same as it existed about 150 million years ago.

Expedition participants have the very rare opportunity to actually interact with this majestic giant of the open ocean while they still exist. Man’s increasing and wanton destruction of our seas is causing a rapid spiral to extinction of the Pacific Leatherback; the largest sea turtle and reptile.

This year we held two (2) Expeditions of 14 people each between July 14 and August 6. Each sortie lasted 11 days and 10 nights. The Expeditions go 1st to the Leatherback nesting beaches to the East of Sorong; the port of embarkation on a quality liveaboard boat.

Villager in a trance becomes a Leatherback turtle

Time at the Leatherback beaches takes about 2 days and 1 night in order to gain a meaningful experience with the giant females as they come from the sea in the dark of night to nest. Males never appear unless injured. Day periods at the beach also include the opportunity to interact with residents of two (2) remote villages where our research staff reside and witness an almost forgotten “Leatherback Calling Ceremony” by villagers in tribal costume, complete with bamboo bows and arrows to call the Leatherback females to the beach that night. (so far, it works every time).

I had been curious for some time as to how accurate the Papuan men are with their bows and arrows, as the bows are bent bamboo; the bow string is of bamboo and the arrows are often crooked with no feathers or a notch to fit the bow string. I challenged the village men to shoot at a 3 x 5 inch target placed at 15 meters (about 45 feet). ALL hit that small target. (except me)

The village chief drilled the center of the target. WHEW! Don’t get THESE Papuans angry!

We then went to the Leatherback beach after a gourmet dinner on the boat, at about 9 p.m. We go ashore beside Leatherback Rock. The nights on this 18 km long beach can become the most exciting part of this 3 phase trip.

After a brief wait, hooded lights begin to flash up and down the beach as our native staff locates a female crawling from the sea to find the spot where she was hatched to dig her nest and lay clutches of up to 100 eggs. Of all sea turtles, the Leatherback lays the most eggs in a single nesting.

Giant female crawling from sea to nest

Another spectacular equatorial sunrise

We return to the boat and shower/get cleaned up; have breakfast and return to the beach after sunrise to participate in actual nest research with the Papuan staff. On some trips the research is also accomplished at night. We examine the nests which have hatched to determine how many eggs hatched and did not. Often we locate and release babies which are caught deep in the sand and would not live unless brought to the surface.

Leatherback babies emerging from a nest

Just hatched baby heading to the sea

Our primary motivation is to stop the steep extinction spiral of the Pacific Leatherback. Our staff has this purpose in mind each day and night as they locate and mark egg nests.

Relocated nests away from global warming effects

In one nest at night, Expeditioners assisted 16 hatchlings to the surf which would not have lived were it not for human intervention. During the following morning, nest research was able to locate and release more trapped babies. All who participated remain excited to this day. So far in this season our staff have located and released over 900 hatchlings from deep in nests (this effort has NOT been accomplished or catalogued previously). As the Pacific longline boats continue to destroy the natural balance, our discovered procedures help create a positive result.

Our relocated nests are producing approximately an 85% success rate of eggs which hatch that would have drowned or cooked deep in the nests. At season close (end October), we anticipate a summary of very encouraging results. Yessss, we ARE excited!

The spectacular Raja Ampat diving begins

At mid morning we board the ship and head west into the Raja Ampat Islands to dive out the remaining days of the Expedition. We extended the venue of the dives to include Kawe and Waya, both West of the Ampats and on the Equator.

GPS reads N/S 00-00 right on the Equator

Diving in this pristine region is perhaps the last GREAT dive location left on our Planet. In 2007 and 2008, the majority of dive and travel magazines and National Geographic have featured this area because of clear waters and amazing concentrations of marine life. One recreational diver on 1 trip took over 2,000 photos.

PRESS RELEASE #13

MID SEASON LEATHERBACK TURTLE NESTING REPORT FROM “LEATHERBACK BEACH”, PAPUA, INDONESIA
AUGUST 31, 2009.

LEATHERBACK TURTLE NEST AND EGG RELOCATION//HATCHING; AN AMAZING SUCCESS!!!!!!!


Relocated Leatherback Turtle Hatchlings Swarm to the Sea. All Eggs would have been destroyed w/out Relocation.

Data collected from relocated leatherback turtle nests subject to higher tides and warmer ocean temperatures (the effects of “Global Warming”) are very promising. Hatch out rates are almost double that of nests which are not threatened from flooding or in-nest cooking. ANY relocated egg, which was laid in the tidal zone of the beach and hatches, is, in every case, a major step forward to the survival of this giant turtle. The relocated nests at mid-nesting season are demonstrating amazing results. The relocated nests are averaging a 93 + percentage hatching success.

          
                Building the Relocated Nest Korral                                                          + Tidal Zone Eggs Being Relocated the “S.O.L.O.

S.O.L.O. just completed its annual Expeditions to the very remote “Leatherback Beach” in Papua, Indonesia. These Expeditions occur each July and August. Volunteers from many Nations participate in a rare exposure to the Leatherback Turtle females as they come from the sea in the dark of night to nest and propagate the species. The hatchlings exit nests at night after approximately 8 weeks of incubation to scamper to the sea toward an unknown future. It is difficult to be sitting on that beach and not get “goose bumps” as this Jurassic era nesting and hatching events are repeated. Reservations are already being confirmed for the 2010 season.

The number of females, which have come ashore this season, is a disappointment as compared to previous seasons. The nest counts are much lower than previously observed and recorded. Further, the beach research staff report that in this season, about 50% of the females exiting the ocean to nest, simply walk around some and go back to the sea without nesting. Another mystery of the Leatherback to ponder.

Very Few Nests, Mid Season 2009 as Marked by Dated Poles.

“The lack of nests and nesting may represent one of the several critical issues regarding the Leatherback turtles. The surviving population of females may be even less than projected based on actual nest counts because a female may nest between five and seven times each season; compounding the issue of how many remain and how many males remain in the seas to mate.” said McKenna. “Bear in mind that these are hypotheses as no one knows the true population in the Pacific.”

            
S.O.L.O. Volunteers Assist with Recovery of 2 Hatchlings Suffocating in a Hatched Out Relocated Nest

The continuing Asian long line raping of the Pacific Ocean of all fish and marine mammals, which swim through their “curtains of death”, continues to decimate sea turtle populations.

Japan Long Line Consortiums Operate the Largest Fleet (3,000+ boats); maybe as many as 4 MILLION hooks in the seas in the Pacific with no controls or monitors to assist in avoiding the taking of Leatherbacks and other marine creatures not sought as food. Japan refused to comply with a United Nations Resolution to avoid the Leatherback migration paths and feeding areas.

The nesting data and associated factors data will continue to be refined and examined by Volunteer PhD Marine Biologists as the season continues. “Our achievements will be first summarized during the Dive Equipment Manufactures Association (D.E.M.A.) exhibition in Orlando, FL, November 4 to 7, 2009,” McKenna said. “A composite report will be published in the fall/winter of 2009-10 along with other not previously reported activities also in progress, which also will reveal other amazing successes.” McKenna stated.

          
                 Excavating Threatened Eggs to be Relocated                                  Contents of a “False Egg” from a Nest

Larry Obtaining Advices from Beach Staff

S.O.L.O. is an all-Volunteer IRS Certified 501(c) (3) non-profit Foundation. We are 100% dependent on donations to further our stated objectives to find ways to save this giant Leatherback Turtle from its spiral into extinction. More information can be obtained by a review of our web site: www.leatherbackturtles.org.
Information may be requested via e-mail: info-saveourleatherbacks@earthlink.net. PLEASE help us continue this exciting Reversal of Extinction with your Donations, which are tax deductible. Credit Cards (M.C. & Visa) can be used as explained in our web site

PRESS RELEASE #12

PIONEER RESEARCH CAMERAS AT WORK IN PAPUAN JUNGLES
Sorong, Papua, Indonesia May 9, 2009

Thanks to the courtesies of Bjorn Harms, V.P. of Pioneer Research Corporation and the Pioneer Research Corporation, a quantity of the Pioneer Research Sea Life Reef Master Mini cameras were donated to assist in Leatherback Turtle conservation and research on a very remote beach in Papua, Indonesia. The cameras will allow us to gather night data on each female Leatherback which comes to the shore to nest and begin a digital photo tracking library of each. This data along with tagging of the nesting Leatherbacks will permit a better method of counting the females when they nest. No data exists on the male Leatherbacks because they spend their life in the oceans.

                                                                
Akil Yussuf, Director of YAL Demonstrates the use of the Pioneer Sea Life Camera to Abner Yenjau and Martinus Yessa of the Papuan Village Staff.

                                                                
Abner Yenjau Taking His 1st Photos with the Sea Life Camera.

The Sea Life camera is uniquely capable of taking digital photos in the remote locations because of its rugged//waterproof to 40 meter design, where all parts are sealed except for battery compartment which has a water resistant “o ring” to keep moisture away. Its design is a true “point and shoot” which should allow it to function well by basic educated peoples and survive. Its rubberized and shock proof design will help preserve the photo quality where the camera will be dropped in the sand or ocean from time to time (by mistakes, of course).

These photos were made with a sea life camera. Abner is the beach manager of the working staff of Papuans who will do the applied research for S.O.L.O.
Save Our Leatherbacks Operation (S.O.L.O.) is a non profit; IRS Certified 501(c)(3) Foundation. Our successes in this critical research can only be accomplished by Donations as Pioneer Research has provided. What CAN YOU help us with????

Web site: www.saveourleatherbacks.org
E-Mail: saveourleatherbacks@earthlink.net

PRESS RELEASE #11
Sorong, Papua, Indonesia, May 9, 2009

YAL/S.O.L.O./PAPUA GOVERNMENT AND VILLAGE LEADERS CONCLUDE A HISTORIC MARATHON WORKING SESSION TO AGREE ON 2009 LEATHERBACK TURTLE RESEARCH AT JAMSBURS-MEDI BEACHES.

                                                                      
Parties to the Agreement: Sitting; (L- R) Butel Sambur, Indonesian Conservation Dept. On Site    Beach Manager; Deminicus Yecsawen, Government Head Man; Martinus Yessa, Village Head Man & Land Owner; Isaac Yessa, Beach Staff Member. Top: Larry McKenna, Founder of S.O.L.O.; Akil Yusuf, YAL-NGO Director; Victor Sundoy, Government Conservation Staff; Abner Yenjau, Beach Staff Manager

By the glow of late evening candles, the assembly shown above concluded a day and night long discussion of the Leatherback turtle tasks to be accomplished during the CY 2009 nesting season which begins in May and ends in November. This is the 1st time where all components of the Indonesian Government and the Village leaders met with the Indonesian NGO partner of S.O.L.O. and the S.O.L.O. Foundation.

Many issues were discussed and agreed to, including the tasks S.O.L.O. with its International volunteer PhD Marine Biologists and turtle veterinarian developed research agendas based on past years of the NGO’s activities and active Leatherback research to obtain missing nest data so as to be, over time, in a better position to quantify missing answers which directly relate to the efforts of extinction avoidance for this endangered species. Issues as to pay and compensations at each level were discussed and agreed to.

S.O.L.O. will fund construction of a new staff house on the active nesting beach which will be capable of sleeping 8 to 10 researchers and staff quite close to where the Leatherbacks come out to nest. The previous house was destroyed by the recent series of earthquakes. A rare modern convenience in the jungles, of a real toilet and a fresh water supply will be added as will electric lights powered by a generator. The staff house will serve many other purposes as an on site meeting and training location as well as a convenient location of sleeping for a planned beginning of ECO Tourism in August. The ECO Tourism will provide badly needed incomes for the village staffs and wives who will cook/clean for the groups who visit.

S.O.L.O. has established a special Earthquake Trust Fund to obtain Donations to assist in recovery/rebuild activities after the huge series of earthquakes struck and destroyed many houses, church and school.

Further information can be obtained by e-mail: saveourleatherbacks@earthlink.net . Web Site: www.saveourleatherbacks.org . S.O.L.O. is an IRS (501(c)(3) non profit Foundation. YOUR Donations keep us going forward.

HUGE JELLY FISH SWARM KILLS IRISH SALMON STOCKS

Mauve Stinger Jellyfish

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: An enormous oceanic “pink ocean cloud of death” invaded the Irish salmon pens off Glenarm Bay and Cushendun. The jellyfish, known as Mauve Stingers flooded into the salmon ocean fish cages and destroyed ALL the fish. This swarm was estimated to span about 16 square km (about 18 square miles) in area and 11 m deep (about 40 feet). Locals said…”The sea was RED with jellyfish”.

After floating away from Ireland waters, this swarm is probably larger now and will appear (if not happening already) in another Atlantic food fish area and will destroy whatever they contact.

This news release heralds the salmon loss to the jellyfish masses now in several oceans and seas and are multiplying out of sight of man. The destruction will occur with increased frequency as a DIRECT result of the wanton slaughter of the Leatherback sea turtle throughout the ocean. For three (3) years we have been warning our audiences that soon, we will begin to see a lessening of our fish food stocks in the seas IF the Leatherback slaughters continue.

NOW THIS ALERT IS REALITY!

The Leatherback sea turtle eats almost entirely jellyfish. Each day it must consume its weight of compressed jellyfish. A mature male weighs in excess of 3,000 pounds. With the destruction by commercial longline fishing, Leatherback populations have decreased alarmingly over the past 25 years and are continuing. Today in the vast Pacific Ocean, less than 600 nesting females remain.

This Leatherback is at the top of the Ocean symbiotic structure of Marine life. Destroy it and the balance of the ocean is irreparably damaged. Many more incidents of out-of-control ocean life will follow. Soon, cans of tuna will not be in our markets.

Want to know more and HOW to reverse this encroaching situation? E-mail us: info-saveourleatherbacks@earthlink.net

“The Himalayan”; p.6 Nov. 24, 2007. Kathmandu, Nepal

PRESS RELEASE #9
For Immediate Distribution. Kingwood, TX, Feb 6, 2007

Pacific Leatherback turtles continue to be slaughtered by the Asian Long Line Fishing Fleets every hour of every day. NO one has any control of the operations of these boats. Here in U.S.A. the National Marine Fisheries Service (a NEW Name for NOAA) is directly responsible for regulating the fishing and marine environmental activities in all U.S. waters, including those of Trust Territories to a 200 mile limit.

The heavy money interests of the U.S. flagged fishing boats (including Long Liners) continue to pressure and sway OUR Government representatives to changing the rules of who can fish and where to the detriment of sea creatures. NMFS is attempting right now — to alter the rules of where boats can fish in costal protected marine preserves and in Hawaii waters to allow boats to fish longer beyond their permit limits AND to kill more creatures, as the endangered Leatherback turtles. This is WRONG! In the situation of the Leatherbacks, it is DEAD wrong.

Below is a letter written against this prevalent policy of catering to fishermen and against our established Laws and Rules which protect the ocean creatures in OUR territorial waters. This campaign is managed by Sea turtles Restoration Project. (www.seaturtles.org). We have joined their campaign — because it makes sense to STOP these actions. Support us by telling your friends.

SAVE OUR LEATHERBACKS OPERATION (SOLO)

A Non Profit Public Charity Approved by IRS Code 501(c)(3) and Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act
4582 East Kingwood Drive, Suite #143
Kingwood, Texas 77345 USA
Ph/FAX: 281-361-4492
E-Mail: info-saveourleatherbacks@earthlink.net
Web Site: www.saveourleatherbacks.org

Mr. William Robinson
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

Re: Support of Removing the 7 Day Delay in Closing the Hawaii Shallow Based Long Line Fishing Industry

Dear Mr. Robinson:

I have responded via Sea Turtle Restoration Project along with hundreds of other concerned citizens in support of the abolition of this 7 day closure practice which benefits the Hawaii Long Line fishers and is totally against all Law and precedent established to protect critically endangered marine creatures; as the Pacific Leatherback turtle and loggerhead turtles.

I write this separate letter to you in further support and possibly to provide some education for you as to what a Leatherback "interaction" is in truth and in fact. See photo below:

AN "INTERACTION" (A SLAUGHTER) IN SIMPLE TERMS

Perhaps those who write you do not adequately explain the situation, so you have a clear understanding from your desk of the severity of the issues. The above photo communicates MORE than words can express. This Giant Male Leatherback turtle ran into the fishing lines and buoys. He fought for his freedom and was killed in the process. This, Sir, is an "Interaction".

We oppose any move by NMFS to permit this 7 day extension for ANY reason as it is quite clear that technology via radio and satellite phones can communicate to the fishing boats quickly to STOP fishing on the appointed day and time.

Further, of a more critical concern is to permit long line boats who operate under a USA flag to catch/hook/snag (INTERACT WITH) ANY Leatherback turtles in US waters.