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Meet Emeline McMann-Chapman: A Passionate Marine Conservationist
Emeline McMann-Chapman is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Organic Sciences and a minor in Environmental Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Her passion for marine conservation led her to become a Research Assistant at Upwell, where she assists with the collection and analysis of stranding data on cold-stunned sea turtles along the Pacific coast.
One of Emeline’s current projects involves documenting the temporal and spatial trends of cold-stunning events and compiling medical data of affected sea turtles to gain a better understanding of their underlying health conditions. She also had the opportunity to join Upwell and NOAA’s leatherback tagging team in Monterey Bay, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in marine conservation.
A Mission to Save the Critically Endangered West Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles
Emeline’s dedication to marine conservation was put to the test when she joined a team of researchers on a mission to find, tag, and assess the health of West Pacific leatherback sea turtles. These majestic creatures travel across the Pacific Ocean to feed on the abundant sea jellies in the California Current, typically between the months of May and December. However, their population has declined by more than 80% in the past 50 years, making them critically endangered.
Despite feeling seasick, Emeline was determined to contribute to the conservation efforts of these magnificent creatures. As the team set out on their research vessel, they spotted the leatherback sea turtle’s favorite food, moon jellies and sea nettles, in the water. But before they could reach the turtle, Emeline’s seasickness got the best of her, and she had to take a break.
However, her break was cut short when the captain received an alert on the radio about a leatherback sea turtle sighting in the bay. The team quickly changed course and arrived to find the turtle surrounded by whale watching boats. They patiently waited for the other boats to leave before approaching the turtle.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter with a Majestic Creature
As they got closer, the small floating orb in the water transformed into a massive, powerful creature. The turtle’s head was the size of a basketball, and its shell was longer than Emeline’s height of 5’8″. It was no easy task to get a half-ton turtle onto a boat built for only six people, but the team was well-prepared.
NOAA’s Scott Benson and Garrett Lemons quickly acted with a net, and the team used the boat’s specially designed ramp to bring the magnificent animal on board. Emeline was in awe of the experience and felt grateful to be a part of such an important conservation effort.
Emeline’s encounter with the leatherback sea turtle was a reminder of the importance of marine conservation and the need to protect these endangered creatures. Through her work at Upwell and NOAA, she hopes to contribute to the conservation efforts and raise awareness about the threats faced by these ancient creatures of the sea.
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“The California Current is a crucial habitat for these endangered leatherbacks, and the dedicated work of analysis assistants ensures their conservation efforts are informed and effective. Thank you for highlighting their vital role!”
“This post sheds light on the crucial work of analysis assistants and their invaluable contribution to the conservation of these majestic creatures. Their role is instrumental in safeguarding the delicate balance of the California Current ecosystem. Well done!”