it all started with saving turtles in 2020....
CHURAMURA began on a fateful day in 2020 when the founders came across a “crawl” (footprints of a mother turtle during laying) on their local beach in Yomitan. We had a simple mission: to protect the 100 or so eggs in the nest, giving them the best chance of survival to make it to the water after hatching.
What started as a few locals monitoring the nest, doing morning and nightly patrols quickly grew into a trusted, island-wide effort. Today, sea turtle protection remains our founding and flagship program — and the foundation from which our broader coastal conservation work continues to grow.
read more about the different operations our amazing volunteers undertake day after day
Coastal Monitoring
RESCUE
RESEARCH
STRANDING
NESTING
Our impact
Stranding Surveys
Nests Protected
Turtles Rescued
Eggs Protected
Coastal Monitoring
Patrolling more than 60km along the Central Okinawa coastline in the early morning hours, we diligently observe, monitor, and safeguard all sea turtle nesting activities. Our reports are submitted to key stakeholders including the Churaumi Aquarium, Japan Sea Turtle Association, Yomitan Village Office, and the Okinawa Prefectural Government.
Facing challenges such as nests positioned too close to the shoreline or vulnerable locations susceptible to typhoon destruction, we engage in the meticulous process of relocating the nests. Marking, numbering, and precisely restoring the eggs in their original order are crucial steps to ensure successful hatching.
Protecting the nests yields an impressive 80% hatching success, shielding them from threats like poaching, interference, stray and wild animal predation, water outlets and inundation, typhoons surges and erosion, campfires, 4WDs, and harmful vegetation etc.
RESCUE & STRANDING RESPONSE
Year-round, we respond to emergency calls regarding distressed or stranded turtles whether on the shoreline or out at sea—those sick, entangled, injured, weak or deceased. The live ones most often require emergency transport to the trained veterinarian for vitals check-up and treatment. We record carapace size, species type, sex, location, condition, injuries, and tags. After performing a necropsy to determine cause of death, we responsibly dispose of the remains. Subsequently, we tabulate and submit the results to the relevant authorities.
After conducting a necropsy, we responsibly handle the remains, ensuring proper disposal in adherence to environmental standards.
Research Projects
NIGHT PATROLS
We take small groups on 2 hour night patrol tours to the beach after dusk to experience first-hand the work of our patrol Rangers.
Night patrols provide an opportunity to observe our monitoring procedures, as well as to delve into the study of turtle biology, nesting behaviors, and the nocturnal ecology of the beach environment.
This scientific exploration facilitates genuine observations and data collection on nocturnal excursions.
OKINAWA TURTLE SPOTTERS
Named Okinawa Turtle Spotters, this project will create a baseline database of resident and itinerant sea turtles. We can use this baseline to study distribution, population and community structure, migration patterns and habitat use. In time, we will be able to more accurately estimate the Okinawan sea turtle population and to monitor biodiversity and the stability of local populations.
NESTING ACTIVITY
Data collected includes mother size & identification (facial / tag ID), laying frequency, crawl patterns, clutch size, depth, egg size sampling, location, species type, mortality etc. Survey activities include viability & safety assessment, relocation, predation prevention, post hatching survey etc. Our team analyzes data to find correlations between tides, temperatures, atmospheric pressure etc. to identify patterns, which in turn aid in conservation efforts.
Stranding Response
STRANDING RESPONSE TEAM
We operate Okinawa’s 24-hour Sea Turtle Stranding Response HOTLINE. While we respond to reports year-round, most occur in the colder winter months from December-March. To expand our reach and decrease response time, we currently operate a Sea Turtle Stranding Response Team and training program.
RESEARCH PARTNERS
The Hawksbill Project (UK / Caribbean)
Marine Conservation Initiative (Canary Islands)
Churaumi Aquarium (Okinawa)
Japan Sea Turtle Association (Japan)
Taiwan Turtle Spotters (Taiwan)
Medasset (Greece)
Citadel University (South Carolina)
Fundraising
Currently our whole operations are supported by individual supporter / company donations, membership dues, product sales, paid appearances / presentations, summer camp revenue, and conservation tours.
Donations will go towards nest protection and rescue/ranger equipment, infrastructure, education programs, and research while allowing us to continue to share these special moments with you the public.
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