As part of our efforts to study and protect sea turtles and their habitats, we lead field missions every summer across the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. In 2025, three researchers spent 4 months at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals), camping on Tern and East islands.
ALT A small black monk seal lies next to a large green sea turtle on a beach, its small mouth open with its tongue visible. A seabird and beach grasses are behind them.
ALT A person in work pants, a hoodie, and baseball cap kneels in the surf next to a sea turtle. They are using a tool to check the turtle for a tag.
A field researcher works to free a hatchling wedged in rubble.
ALT A close up of a hand holding a chunk of rubble, in which is wedged a very small sea turtle, its flippers hanging out.
ALT Three sea turtle hatchlings leave tiny prints in the sand as they move toward the ocean.