🐢 Our Mission: Protecting Sea Turtles

Aloha and Hello!

We are Finn and Philipp, two students from Hawaii who share a deep passion for marine biology, ocean conservation, and adventure. Recently, we received the opportunity of a lifetime: We were selected by our high school's Sea Turtle Research Program to join a groundbreaking scientific expedition to the newly established Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area in Ghana, West Africa! Our journey is set to start on November 3rd.

🌊 About the Sea Turtle Research Program

Through this research program, students like us have the unique opportunity to actively contribute to sea turtle conservation and turn our passion for a healthier marine environment into reality. Throughout the entire school year, we work closely with local community members back home in Hawaii—conducting vital research, participating in tagging operations, and joining beach cleanups.

Under the Guidance of Experts

This expedition is a massive team effort. Under the expert leadership of Laura Jim, our Sea Turtle Research Program connects students directly with active global research. In Ghana, we are incredibly proud to collaborate with Dr. Andrew Agyekumhene, a leading marine ecologist from the University of Ghana who conducted the country’s first long-term study on sea turtle nesting activity. Working together with local communities, we want to help protect these endangered species.

⚠️ The Threats We Face

Ghana’s coastal waters are a critical nesting ground for sea turtles, but these majestic creatures face severe threats. Poaching of turtles and their nests is widespread. In addition, they are highly vulnerable to habitat loss, marine pollution, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets (bycatch), which has led to a worrying decline in nesting numbers.

📡 Our Goals and Tasks on the Ground

As part of the active research team, our main goals will be:

• Satellite Tagging: We will equip endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) with satellite transmitters. Following a successful deployment of two transmitters in 2025, our goal for this 2026 expedition is to attach three additional transmitters. These tags stream crucial data on migration patterns, diving behavior, foraging habits, and water temperatures, helping scientists map out long-term protection strategies.

• Night Patrols & Hatcheries: We will join crucial night patrols along the beaches of Cape Three Points. Working closely with the local community, we will monitor these nesting beaches and safely relocate eggs to a protected turtle hatchery. This ensures the eggs remain safe from poachers and predators until the hatchlings emerge and are ready to be released into the ocean.

During this intense field research, we will be staying at a local eco-lodge and sharing our daily adventures right here on this blog. Thank you for following our journey!