Presentation Summary

Sea turtles spend the vast majority of their lives in the open ocean, far from human sight. This "hidden" existence makes protecting them a unique challenge: how do we conserve a species that disappears for decades at a time?

This presentation will explore how scientists are finally solving these mysteries. From the nesting beaches of the Yucatán to distant foraging grounds, Dr. Lopez-Castro explain how her team uses tools like satellite tagging and biochemical markers to piece together the life stories of these ancient travelers. We’ll learn about how modern challenges, like rising temperatures are affecting the sex of hatchlings, make this work more urgent than ever.

Want to Learn More?

Check out Dr. López-Castro’s course here.

Presenter Bio

Dr. López-Castro is the coordinator of the Sea Turtle Conservation Program at Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A.C. She is a Marine Biologist fascinated by sea turtles. Her research focuses on understanding the connectivity of critical habitats through the ontogenetic shifts of these species, from oceanic to coastal foraging grounds and nesting areas, using biomarkers such as trace elements and lead isotopes as well as traditional tagging methods.

She conducts a long-term monitoring program at three index nesting beaches in the Yucatán Peninsula with the help of her team. This monitoring program provides information to evaluate the conservation and recovery status of hawksbill and green sea turtles.