Extending across nearly one-third of the Earth’s surface, the Pacific Islands region is a vast assemblage of atolls, islands, and archipelagos connected by ocean processes and human history. These islands sustain unique cultures and people whose identities are inseparable from the sea. For them, sea turtles are more than wildlife; they are kin, ancestors, and symbols of resilience and longevity. Turtles were once an important food source throughout the Pacific, and in some nations, they still are. In many Pacific Island cultures, turtles are consumed as part of age-old traditional practices that are alive today. Turtle shells adorn ceremonial regalia, turtles’ journeys mirror those of voyaging peoples, and turtle protection is woven into local law and community stewardship.
