In honor of Sea Turtle Week (June 8-16 2025), our HWF Sea Turtle Recovery Project Coordinator, Alex Aguilar, shares his account of his recent journey to Accra, Ghana to participate in the International Sea Turtle Society Symposium:
Alex Aguilar’s first day at the Sea Turtle Symposium, standing in front of the International Sea Turtle Society banner at the Mensvic Grand Hotel in Accra, Ghana — proud to join global experts in advancing unity and collaboration for sea turtle conservation.
As many are aware, sea turtles are highly migratory species, traveling thousands of miles across international waters and political borders. This inherent mobility underscores the urgent need for global collaboration and cross-boundary conservation strategies. Since 1996, the International Sea Turtle Society has served as a critical platform for researchers, conservationists, educators, and students to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and collectively advance sea turtle conservation efforts.
Last April, I had the privilege of representing Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund as the Sea Turtle Recovery Project Coordinator at my first International Sea Turtle Society Symposium, held in Accra, Ghana. Situated along the West African coast, Accra is a region rich in cultural heritage, ecological diversity, and coastal beauty. This location was an ideal setting for this year’s symposium theme: Unity and Collaboration because of its deep sense of community and indigenous knowledge. The event brought together an extraordinary range of voices including scientists, policymakers, indigenous leaders, and conservation practitioners from around the world. Everyone who attended may have come with various motives or perspectives but all were united by a common goal: to protect sea turtles and the ecosystems they depend on.
The conference hosted a powerful discussion panel on decolonizing conservation, bringing together voices from diverse backgrounds — including Indigenous leaders, scientists, policymakers, and conservation practitioners. These conversations are essential for building more inclusive, just, and effective conservation practices that honor traditional knowledge and local stewardship.
This convergence of science and storytelling created a dynamic and enriching space. Presenters shared a broad spectrum of work, from satellite telemetry studies to community-driven conservation models. Among the sessions, one that particularly resonated with me was focused on decolonizing conservation. This discussion challenged many of the frameworks I had previously learned by broadening my perspective, especially the emphasis in Western conservation on in-situ approaches such as establishing protected areas with highly restricted human access. While these methods have their value, they are not universally applicable and can, at times, overlook or marginalize the communities most connected to these ecosystems.
Hearing diverse perspectives emphasized the importance of inclusive conservation and models that not only integrate but actively recognize and uplift indigenous communities. These conversations made it clear that meaningful conservation must recognize and dismantle neocolonial structures that create barriers, and instead promote equity, respect, and collaboration across cultures and disciplines.
Here’s just a glimpse of the many countries represented at the International Sea Turtle Symposium — each one highlighted on this map reflects the global reach of our shared commitment. An inspiring reminder of the international collaboration driving sea turtle conservation forward.
In addition to these reflections, I was also inspired by innovations in sea turtle science—such as the development of hyperbaric chambers for turtles suffering from gas embolisms, the advancements in reducing the size of satellite transmitters suitable for hatchlings, or the creation of global interactive maps displaying population trends using shared data from conservation partners worldwide.
An exciting example of innovation in sea turtle conservation: this satellite tag, small enough to be attached to hatchlings, is enabling researchers to collect valuable telemetry data and gain unprecedented insight into the early life stages of sea turtles. Advancements like these are helping to shape more effective protection strategies for these vulnerable species.
The symposium also allowed me to compare conservation efforts across different regions and reflect on our work in Maui. While our island may not see the same volume of nesting sea turtles or have access to comparable resources, this scarcity only heightens the importance of protecting what we do have. Our nesting habitats and local populations are especially vulnerable, making our stewardship all the more vital.
This experience was profoundly eye-opening, not just in terms of scientific knowledge, but in understanding the power of community, collaboration, and the value of learning through both empirical data and lived experience. I return home with new insight and a fresh perspective, inspired to apply these lessons to our work on Maui.
As always, if you’re interested in getting involved and supporting Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund’s efforts to conserve our Hawaiian sea turtles, you can make a donation at wildhawaii.org or volunteer by emailing Tara at mauihonu@wildhawaii.org.
