About us
The “Sea Turtle Ecology Lab (STEL)” is a non-profit organization aimed at exploring the fundamental ecology of sea turtles through collaboration with researchers, NGOs, and NPOs.
Background of activities and social issues
What is a sea turtle?
The ancestors of sea turtles are thought to have been born around 120 million years ago.
Since then, there have been various environmental changes on the earth, such as mass extinctions of organisms caused by meteorite impacts, continental drift, and repeated warming and cooling of the earth's surface.
It is thought that sea turtles have adapted to these global and regional environmental changes over their long history, and have thrived while interacting with other organisms.
Today, sea turtles are an important part of marine ecosystems, adapting to their environments.
Sea turtle research and "Sea Turtle-ology"
Various studies have been conducted on sea turtles, including physiology, ecology, developmental biology, genetics, environmental science, archaeology, and their relationship to human activities.
As a result, much has been learned, but there are still many things that remain to be elucidated.
We will continue to understand sea turtles from multiple perspectives from a scientific point of view and create "Sea Turtle-ology".
Participate as a supporting member
Let's think about sea turtles together with us and create "Sea Turtle-ology" through participation in online study sessions and seminars held two or three times a year with researchers, as well as interaction among members!
We look forward to your membership!
Make a donation
One-time donation or monthly donations will support our activities to create "Sea Turtle-ology"!
Regarding the use of donations
- Funding for field research and study activities
- Costs associated with holding study groups and seminars
- Other organizational operating expenses
Representative
SUGANUMA Hiroyuki
Graduated from the School of Marine Science and Technology at Tokai University.
Director of Tokyo Marine Environment Association and Head of Marine Biology Research Division.
Director of the NPO Everlasting Nature of Asia.
Established NPO STEL in February, 2024.
Member of Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG), Species Survival Committee (SSC), IUCN.
Previously served as Vice President of the Sea Turtle Association of Japan, Board Member of the International Sea Turtle Symposium, and Chief Editor of the Umigame(Sea Turtle) Newsletter of Japan Editorial Committee.
Main Activities:
Conducted hawksbill turtle research in Palau, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Cuba.
Conducted research on hawksbill turtles, olive ridley turtle and leatherback turtles in Indonesia. Established Yayasan Alam Lestari (now Yayasan Penyu Laut Indonesia) as a reception center for hawksbill turtle resource management.
