Sea turtles are among the most majestic creatures of the sea, but their numbers are declining and researchers need data on their population size and distribution. If you see a sea turtle, report it to the International Sea Turtle Observation Registry (iSTOR) and contribute to scientific conservation of these important creatures. The project was initially created in 1996, under the name of Turtle Tidings, and was founded in order to support sea turtle research and conservation efforts. Through the website, you’re able to upload your sightings and also receive newsletters if you want to stay informed of upcoming programs and success stories. The database is centralized to help organizations that focus on sea turtle conservation to manage, organize, and share their data easily. These include the Satellite Tracking and Analysis System (STAT), the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Necropsy Database (STRAND) and the Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring System (STNMS). These tools are available for use by all sea turtle organizations. The project’s website also hosts other organizations such as the Marine Turtle Research Group, the International Sea Turtle Society, and the North Carolina Sea Turtle Project.

http://www.seaturtle.org/istor/