Step 1
Report the turtle
A beachgoer, volunteer, or lifeguard fills out a brief report that captures location, photos, species if known, and basic observations like injuries, entanglement, or disorientation.
Public reports routed to local rescue teams
Sea turtle conservation
A single place to report injured and nesting sea turtles.
TurtleSync connects sightings from the public with the organizations that can help. Reports are logged, organized, and routed so that stranded turtles and vulnerable nests are not lost in the noise.
How it works
From beach sighting to rescue response
TurtleSync is designed to feel simple for the person on the beach while capturing the detail that rescue teams and researchers need. The platform is being built in stages and will continue to grow as partnerships are added.
Step 2
Data is logged and organized
Each submission is stored in a structured database, making it easier to track hotspots, repeat issues, and seasonal trends in stranding and nesting activity across the coastline.
Step 3
Routed to local responders
The long term goal is for TurtleSync to act as a hub that forwards reports to the correct authorized rescue group or turtle hospital based on region and type of case.
Coverage and vision
Built for the United States, designed to grow
TurtleSync is starting with a focus on United States coastlines, where sea turtle strandings, nesting activity, and boat traffic are all increasing. The platform is being structured in a way that can expand to new regions and partner networks.
- Organized around coastal regions so reports can be grouped by state, nesting beach, and rescue coverage area.
- Designed to work alongside existing hotlines and permitted organizations rather than replace them.
- Future phases include regional dashboards for authorized partners and exportable data for long term research.
Data and impact
Turning individual reports into conservation insight
Sea turtle rescues are often handled case by case. TurtleSync aims to protect individual animals while also helping scientists and conservation teams see the bigger picture of what is happening in the water and on the beach.
Stranding patterns
Nesting success
Hotspot detection
Public engagement
- Track when and where strandings occur to identify repeat problem areas.
- Compare nesting activity across seasons and beaches as reports grow.
- Log common causes of injury such as entanglement, hooks, boat strikes, and cold stun.
- Provide partners with exportable data they can use in their own research and reports.
A future goal is to publish annual summary snapshots so that anyone, from a middle school student to a marine biologist, can see how turtles are doing over time.
About TurtleSync
Created by a future marine care professional
TurtleSync was founded by Ethan D’Amore, a high school student who plans to work in marine animal care and sea turtle rehabilitation. The project combines his background in animal care, structured thinking, and a long term commitment to conservation.
- Experience working with animals through shelter volunteering and veterinary coursework.
- Developed TurtleSync as a way to give the public one clear starting point to help sea turtles in trouble.
- Plans to grow the platform throughout college with input from marine biologists, rescue teams, and data analysts.
- Wants TurtleSync to serve not just as a reporting tool, but as a living record of how well we are protecting these species.
Get involved
Rescue teams, aquariums, and turtle hospitals
TurtleSync is looking for input from organizations that respond to sea turtle strandings, manage nesting beaches, or care for marine wildlife. Feedback on report design, data fields, and regional routing will shape the next phase of the project.
Future plans include a secure partner portal where authorized users can view and filter reports for their region, export data, and collaborate on outreach for high risk areas.
If you work with sea turtles or marine wildlife and are interested in being a pilot partner, your insight would directly guide how TurtleSync grows.