About the project

The Wilkes Atlantic Leatherback Turtle Alliance is an international research and conservation initiative dedicated to securing the future of leatherback turtles across the Atlantic Ocean. Coordinated by the University of Exeter and supported by the Wilkes Sea Turtle Protection Fund, the project brings together researchers, conservation organisations, policymakers, and other partners from across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Leatherback turtles are the largest of all sea turtles and undertake some of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom. Yet despite surviving for millions of years, many Atlantic populations are now facing significant threats, including accidental capture in fisheries, habitat degradation, coastal development, climate change, and pollution. Recent assessments indicate that several Atlantic populations are declining, while significant knowledge gaps remain in some regions.

The Alliance aims to provide the scientific evidence needed to guide effective conservation action. Through an ocean-wide assessment of nesting populations, a comprehensive review of fisheries bycatch, and analysis of leatherback movements and threats, the project will identify priority areas and actions for conservation.

By building a collaborative network across the Atlantic, the Alliance seeks not only to advance scientific understanding but also to support practical conservation measures and policy decisions that will help protect leatherback turtles for generations to come.