Sea Turtle Spotter
Are you ready to become a citizen scientist?
By reporting your sea turtle sightings, you can help scientists better understand changes in populations, movements, foraging locations and habitat conditions. This invaluable information will help us determine how we can help save sea turtles.
When you see a sea turtle, record the following information:
Photo or Video: Visuals do not have to be high quality, but will enable other citizen scientists and researchers to help identify or confirm the turtle species
*Required: Date, Time, Coordinates (e.g., Lat: 24.533633 Lon: -109.927294) or Approximate Location
If available, try to note: Species, Turtle Condition, Behavior and Habitat
Then, register your sea turtle sightings through one of the methods listed below.
Feel great about your work as a citizen scientist and encourage your friends to become Sea Turtle Spotters too!
Submit a Sighting to the Sea Turtle Spotter via iNaturalist
Inaturalist App For Android or Inaturalist App For Apple or online at inaturalist.org
Remember to click “Project” when submitting online or “Add to Project” when submitting through the App, and then select “Sea Turtle Spotter”.
Submit a Sighting Through our Google Form
Sea Turtle Spotter Google Form
Submit a Sighting Via Email
Send a photo or video of your sighting with a description to spotter@upwell.org
Featured Sea Turtle Spotter Sighting
Alex and Tamara Double - Baja California Sur, Mexico
This incredible footage was shared with Upwell by Sea Turtle Spotters Alex and Tamara Double. They found this loggerhead while scuba diving at El Bajo in the Gulf of California.
Will your photos or video be the next featured sighting? Send us your photo or video with a description to spotter@upwell.org.
Field Guides
Unless you are an experienced turtle biologist, you may need help differentiating one species of turtle from another. Not to worry! Upwell has created field guides to help. We even have wallet-sized cards to fit your needs.
Multiple Species Materials
East Pacific Turtles Field Guide