Today is Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day! Today is a day to celebrate conservation achievements and to continue to work for real protections for these critically endangered sea turtles.

Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day was declared by Governor Jerry Brown and signed into law two years ago. Turtle Island Restoration Network led the effort to recognize the importance of saving these sea turtles with a day with the help of California Assemblymember Paul Fong.

Now, Turtle Island is working to bring attention to two major threats to these sea turtles – the costly driftnet fishery for swordfish off the coast of California and the Hawaiian longline fisheries for swordfish and tuna.

Read more on our National Geographic Blog