Red Sea Turtles Project

Two years in a row! We are incredibly honored to receive the PADI Pillars of Change Award for Outstanding Contribution to Ocean Conservation once again. This time as a direct tribute to the work of our PADI Eco Center in the Red Sea. This isn't just an award; it is a testament to the dedication of our team and the community that drives our mission forward.

This recognition is especially meaningful as it coincides with PADI’s 60th Anniversary. Receiving this honor while the global diving community is gathered together perfectly highlights the strength of our collective purpose. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our colleagues at fellow PADI Dive Centers and the members who have supported us. Your camaraderie proves that we are truly stronger as one global family.

We owe a profound debt of gratitude to PADI and the PADI AWARE Foundation for their unwavering mentorship and belief in our vision. Most importantly, we thank our community of citizen scientists, students, and the team for fueling this journey. Together, we are setting a new standard for sustainable marine tourism. Not just as a goal, but as a blueprint to secure the long-term resilience and vitality of the Red Sea.

At the 44th International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS) Symposium in Hawaiʻi, it was an honor to have the RED SEA PROJECT™ work shown alongside hundreds of global initiatives. During the African Regional Meeting, we presented how local collaborations provide the "Ground Truth" for conservation issues unique to the Egyptian Red Sea.

Our scientific contributions were led by a presentation during the Population Biology Session: Projected Primary S*x Ratios, the Loss of Demographic Refuges, and Feminization in the Red Sea During the Past 124 Years.

Our research posters further highlighted the impact of citizen science, strong collaboration, and community empowerment. Research Poster 074 focused on injury and mortality patterns in the Egyptian Red Sea, while Poster 156 extended this approach to the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan; meanwhile, Poster 093 investigated how "hitchhiker load" (epibionts) reduces host grazing efficiency.

A huge thank you to our partners and collaborators for their hard work on all fronts, and to the ISTS for hosting such a dynamic event.

Calling all PADI Instructors!
Take your teaching beyond the water and become part of real-world conservation. You can now apply for the PADI official Marine Turtle Conservation Specialty Instructor rating and inspire divers to protect one of the ocean’s most iconic species.
To get started, simply follow these steps:
1- Submit the online application form to RED SEA PROJECT™.
https://www.redsea-project.com/redseaturtlesproject-padi-specialty
2-Wait for approval of your application.
Once approved, send the signed authorization letter, together with your Specialty Instructor Application, to your local PADI Training Department.
3- Enjoy teaching!
RED SEA PROJECT™ provide this training and materials FREE of charge for active teaching status and renewed PADI Instructors.
Your application is subject to review and approval by your PADI Office

PADI
PADI AWARE Foundation

New Scientific Publication Alert
Our latest research, published in The Herpetological Bulletin (Issue 173, Autumn 2025), reveals a new green turtle migration path between Zabargad Island and Marsa Abu Dabbab, Egypt, identified through our citizen science programme using flipper-tag data and photo-ID.

Marsa Abu Dabbab, which recorded nesting only in 2022, is confirmed as an important feeding ground, reinforcing that Zabargad Island is one of the Red Sea’s most valuable green turtle rookeries. We also documented a tagged female harvested for consumption, highlighting the vulnerability of nesting turtles and the need for stronger protection.

Marsa Abu Dabbab remains an intermittent, low-density nesting site. Reducing artificial night lighting could improve nesting success while allowing responsible recreation. These findings underline that every historic nesting beach in the Red Sea must be protected, as turtles may return decades after hatching, and beaches are not used every year.

A huge thanks to Blue Ocean Dive Centres and Resorts, Egyptian Environmental Affairs, and the PADI AWARE Foundation for their support, and to our team, interns, and citizen scientists whose contributions made this research possible.
Read more: https://www.thebhs.org/.../issue-number-173-autumn-2025

A Thousand Future Conservationists: Our Turtle Trunk Workshop Reaches a Major Milestone

We're thrilled to announce a significant achievement for our Eco-School educational program: our Turtle Trunk Workshops have now welcomed nearly 1,000 participants!

Developed by the Inwater Research Group, the Turtle Trunk is an innovative educational tool that brings marine conservation to life. As part of our full-day program at the Marine Conservation Center, students use this hands-on tool to practice assessing simulated sea turtle injuries. Through this engaging activity, they learn to make critical decisions about whether to rehabilitate or release, gaining valuable insight into the real-world challenges faced by marine biologists.

This milestone is a powerful testament to our mission: to inspire and empower the next generation of conservation leaders through practical, impactful education. A huge thank you to our incredible team and volunteers—your passion and dedication have made these programs a resounding success.