On June 16th, World Sea Turtle Day, the Wilkes Alliance for the Atlantic Leatherback Turtle (WALTA) was launched, led by the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) and supported by the Wilkes Fund for the Protection of Sea Turtles.
The network brings together more than 50 organizations from 25 countries in Europe, Africa, and America, with the goal of halting the decline of this species classified as “vulnerable” by the IUCN.
Objectives of the alliance
WALTA’s mission is to promote the protection of the leatherback turtle through:
- International collaborative research.
- Strategic planning of conservation actions.
- Promotion based on scientific evidence.
- Inclusion of fishermen, policymakers, and donors in the process.
Professor Brendan Godley highlighted that the breadth of participation demonstrates the relevance of the initiative and that the alliance will allow for updated knowledge on Atlantic populations.
Status of the populations
The leatherback turtle is listed as “vulnerable” globally, but regional assessments show a more critical picture:
- Northwestern Atlantic: “endangered” (2019).
- Southwestern Atlantic: “critically endangered” (2013).
- Southeastern Atlantic: “data deficient” (2013).
This disparity highlights the urgency of updating assessments and designing a strategic framework of priorities.
Planned assessments
With the support of the Wilkes Fund, the alliance will develop three key studies:
- Nesting of the leatherback turtle in the Atlantic.
- Bycatch in industrial and artisanal fisheries.
- Definition of action priorities for conservation.
Professor Annette Broderick warned that although Pacific populations have been declining for decades, the Atlantic seemed more stable until recently. Therefore, she calls for a comprehensive assessment to understand how different populations respond to threats.
Main threats
Atlantic leatherback turtles face multiple pressures:
- Bycatch in fishing gear.
- Coastal development and degradation of nesting beaches.
- Harvesting of adults and eggs.
- Climate change and rising temperatures.
- Collisions with vessels.
- Marine pollution and plastics.
Adrian Wilkes, head of the Wilkes Fund, emphasized that the alliance does not seek to “document the end of the species,” but to define policies and actions to save it.
The creation of WALTA marks a milestone in international cooperation to protect the Atlantic leatherback turtle.
With more than 50 organizations and 25 countries involved, the initiative seeks to transform research into concrete actions that prevent the extinction of these marine giants after millions of years of existence.
