SWOT, a partnership involving Oceanic Society, the IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, Duke University's OBIS-SEAMAP, and an ever-growing global network, is devoted to compiling and disseminating comprehensive global sea turtle data. These efforts aim to bolster conservation and management initiatives across various levels, from local to international, with the SWOT database serving as a continuously updated, accessible resource for various stakeholders including researchers, conservation activists, educators, funding bodies, and governmental figures.
SWOT Grants are designed to support field-based sea turtle research and conservation projects, focusing on networking and capacity building, science, and education and outreach. Since 2006, 93 grants have been awarded to 67 applicants across over 45 countries and territories. In partnership with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and their Sea Turtle SAFE Program, additional funding is now available specifically for conservation actions targeting Eastern Pacific leatherbacks and Kemp’s ridleys. The grants aim to: 1) strengthen info-sharing networks and build local/regional research and conservation capacity, 2) fill critical knowledge gaps to advance conservation goals, and 3) promote public education and outreach to encourage protective behaviors towards sea turtles.