Who We Are – Our Story, Mission, and Team

Volunteer with us to observe field work and help shape our story. We built an established framework that ties volunteers, researchers, and local partners into clear actions supported by data, not guesswork.

Our story began in malaysia, where a small group tested a simple idea: observe wildlife impacts and share findings openly. Through careful collaboration, we established regional links in zakynthos, australia, and guinea to widen our reach and keep trackers aligned. A satellite network enables us to monitor habitats across continents and spot patterns that predators may cause in coastal ecosystems. We also run regular field observations with local communities, and what we learn will mean practical actions that protect these areas.

Our mission is to empower communities with accurate data, raise awareness about wildlife dynamics, and guide responsible action. We combine on-site observations with satellite data to map habitats, detect illegal activities, and note when predators are caught in human-wildlife conflicts, so we can respond quickly and protect vulnerable species.

Meet our team: researchers, volunteers, and communicators who translate science into practical guidance. Our advertisement campaigns reach local neighborhoods, schools, and coastal associations, inviting participation and transparency. Field leaders in malaysia and zakynthos coordinate with partners in australia and guinea to maintain a cohesive schedule and data quality. The smell of sea air at zakynthos serves as a sensory reminder of why we measure habitat health.

To know our impact, we publish quarterly metrics on awareness growth, habitat coverage, and response times. If you want concrete steps, start by joining a local volunteer group, observe a coastal site, then contribute to a shared database. We provide an onboarding brief and a clear schedule you can follow to help us keep data accurate and actions accountable.

We are established to deliver consistent results, with transparent reporting and actions you can trust. Start today and know that your involvement makes a real difference in protecting ecosystems and supporting volunteers around the world.

Who We Are: Identity, Mission, and Approach to Illegal Shell Trade

Trace illegal shell shipments and report suspicious activity to authorities today to protect leatherbacks and biodiversity.

Born from a quiet charity network, we unite scientists, local partners, and communities along the east coast to safeguard leatherbacks and biodiversity. Our identity rests on transparency, accountability, and collaborative action with fisheries, ports, and law enforcement.

Our mission centers on a three-pronged approach: traceability of shells, targeted enforcement, and community education that reduces demand and empowers coastal stewards.

We prioritize evidence-based methods, working with offshore communities, and fostering charity partnerships that fund on-the-ground monitoring. We share best practices with smaller communities, including the smallest nesting sites, to ensure no shell leaves without trace.

In dalyan and bundaberg, partners run hatch surveys, monitor stranded turtles, and document adult versus hatchling interactions. Observers record october hatch windows and the quiet recovery of biodiversity after events that threaten leatherbacks.

Together, our most effective actions involve trace-based partnerships with coastal communities, monitoring how offshore fleets behave, and publishing annual results to increase transparency. The approach helps reduce illegal trade while protecting magnificent sea turtles and the east coast alike.

Founding Story: Spark, Milestones, and Why We Fight Shell Trade

youll curb shell trade by funding enforcement, empowering coastal communities, and building transparent supply chains that track shells from beds to markets.

Founding spark struck on a windswept night along the Antilles coast, when a loggerhead nesting beach revealed the fragility of the system. A volunteer held a hatchling in hand while a nest of clutches lay exposed on a bare strand, and predators circled nearby. That moment showed how illegal harvest, poverty, and weak protection pull at the threads that guard wild spaces. It sparked a coalition ready to map flows, protect nests, and turn concern into concrete action that reaches villages, ports, and parks alike.

We theorized that the shell trade thrives where data stays scattered and communities stay unheard. Again and again, early, local action stops shipments before they spread. We built a model centered on abundant data, community leadership, and transparent reporting to keep beds and nests safe. Real-time alerts, cross-border partnerships, and on-the-ground protection for hatchings–even as the work navigates complex routes from reef to market–takes steady effort. luck favors preparation, and we train teams to be ready whenever a signal appears down the line.

1. 2016: Spark to action – a rescued loggerhead on a bare Antilles beach inspired a group of scientists, fishers, and volunteers to form the coalition, map shell flows, and protect nesting sites where hatchings begin.
2. 2018: Cross-border mapping – teams in the Antilles and Malaysia begin joint patrols, tracing shell trails from nest beds to markets and engaging authorities to halt shipments in transit.
3. 2020: Seizures and momentum – the largest number of illicit shells intercepted in a year underscored the need for coordinated enforcement, while communities near floating operations and parks learned to report suspicious cargoes and safeguard clutches.
4. 2022: Community-led protection – guardians in coastal parks establish rotating patrols, deter predators, and bolster protections along nesting beaches where hatchings occur, reducing violations and supporting healthier numbers of hatchings.
5. 2023: Data-driven networks – a shared platform links customs, parks, and ports across Malaysia and the Antilles, enabling rapid alerts when shells move between floating consignments and shore registers, and helping to keep the next generation safe.
6. 2024: Next steps – whether expanding to new regions or deepening local capacity, we scale transparency and sustainable livelihoods to reduce dependence on illegal shell trade and to amplify community resilience.

Why we fight shell trade: illegal collection drains wildlife, undermines coastal economies, and disrupts cultural gatherings around nesting seasons. By protecting loggerheads, beds of seagrass, and the quiet bravery of park rangers, we defend a broader network of life that supports fishing communities, coral reefs, and the health of shorelines. The Antilles, Malaysia, and beyond share the same answer: smarter – and fairer – systems that let nature thrive again and again.

Mission in Practice: Concrete Goals, Priorities, and Measurable Outcomes

Set the primary goal now: protect wild seas by securing hard-shelled shellfish habitats and tracking progress with measurable outcomes. Take clear steps to translate vision into concrete targets, assign accountable teams, and report results in tangible terms.

• Expand hard-shelled shellfish habitats by 2,000 metres of coastline, with sediment deposit located to support nutrients and reduce disturbance; focus on bunaken and tropical seas in ashore zones, and include malaysia coastal areas; this targets likely growth in biodiversity and yields.
• Implement satellite monitoring monthly to detect habitat change, sediment deposits, and disturbed areas; produce a public dashboard for stakeholders in malaysia and bunaken; track progress in metres and reflect outcomes in clear indicators.
• Co-create a community plan with tawi groups and local partners in malaysia to regulate shellfish harvest; ensure part growth of livelihoods aligns with conservation and habitat recovery; document compliance and output.
• Monitor nutrients and water quality at key sites; aim to improve reef health and biodiversity; use measured indicators to guide decisions; report results quarterly.
• Next steps: consolidate data, finalize KPIs, and begin first cycle of evaluation within the calendar quarter.

Measurable outcomes provide a clear view of progress across seas and tropical regions, including bunaken and malaysia, by tracking habitat area, sediment stability, nutrient balance, and community participation. This approach keeps action focused, capable of producing real, replicable improvements.

Team Roles and Qualifications: Who Does What and Why It Matters

Assign a single Team Lead and four clearly defined roles from day one to ensure accountability and faster decisions. mitchel coordinates field operations, while teams in bundaberg, across shores, and around remote sites keep the schedule tight and budgets predictable. This setup creates clarity throughout the project and makes it possible to assess results through regular viewings of dashboards.

The Team Lead should hold a major in project management or a related field, bring at least 5 years of cross-functional experience, and demonstrate success across multiple projects over decades. since 2010, this role balances risk, timelines, and stakeholder needs while maintaining calm during disturbed periods. Pair the lead with a shadow for at least six months to ensure continuity across times when senior staff are unavailable.

The Field Coordinator focuses on on-site operations: manage nesting windows, monitor safety, coordinate volunteers, and connect with local partners along the shores and on the marine environment. This role requires 3–5 years of field logistics experience, with demonstrated ability to adapt plans across sites around bundaberg and guinea coastlines. The coordinator ensures data collection stays aligned with nesting targets and runs smooth morning viewings and evening checks.

The Data Analyst handles data pipelines, dashboards, and reporting. They conduct viewings of key metrics, translate findings into actionable steps, and support the team with data-driven decisions. Expect 3+ years of analytics experience and comfort presenting to non-technical audiences to raise awareness and drive action. The analyst collaborates with partners in oman, egypt, and guinea operations to keep results transparent across regions and times.

The Communications Specialist uplifts awareness and engagement. They craft messages for internal teams and external partners, coordinate viewings for stakeholders, and manage risk communications when issues arise. This role should deliver clear updates across diverse audiences and respond quickly to disturbances while keeping timelines on track. They work closely with the Field Coordinator and Data Analyst to ensure messaging reflects real conditions across times and across regions, including oma n and egypt sites and other areas where the team operates.

Cross-training and ongoing development ensure resilience: implement a 6‑month rotation plan so team members gain nesting, field ops, data, and communications experience. This approach boosts awareness, expands capabilities, and increases the odds of surviving staffing gaps across times when staff are unavailable. Use this structure to make the team more capable, more cohesive, and better prepared to handle major challenges across shores and oceans throughout the project lifecycle.

How We Tackle Shell Trade: Detection, Verification, Reporting, and Accountability

Implement a real-time shell-trade alert network at ports and markets, pairing guides and divers with a simple reporting app to observe disturbed shipments and to flag suspicious digging around crates of hard-shelled shells, with more frontline staff involved and communities themselves acting as observers.

Use underwater surveys, drone sweeps, and routine checks by leading conservation teams to map marine shell stocks and track populations across hundreds of coastal sites. Document endemic species such as the eastern giant conchs; record hatchings and swimming juveniles to identify pressure points that inhabit warmer coastal waters.

Verification relies on rapid lab checks of specimens and precise matches with reference guides. Collect photos, measure shell length, and confirm with DNA barcodes when possible. Centralize data so researchers observe trends and compare with past baselines.

Reporting channels link field teams to authorities, fisheries agencies, and leading conservation groups. In every report, include location, dates, estimated counts, and species; process thousands of records to improve trend analysis.

Accountability rests on traceability: track shipments from source populations to markets, with penalties for violations and public dashboards that show progress while protecting sensitive sites. Build partnerships with eastern communities to engage residents themselves in monitoring, because transparency protects wildlife and livelihoods.

Get Involved: Partnering, Community Engagement, and How to Share Tips

Join a local partnership program to support marine conservation in the Maldives area. If you have a boat, organize shoreline cleanups and remove debris from mangroves and reef margins; this protects loggerheads and olive ridley populations and builds trust with coastal communities. Propose a small deposit to cover fuel and safety equipment, and align activities with local policies to keep operations transparent. Begin with a two-hour event led by a resident captain and a volunteer crew, then expand to a smaller, more frequent schedule to reach the most vulnerable spots around mangroves and freshwater lenses.

Community engagement begins with listening sessions in villages and fishing hubs, then moves to practical actions. Host viewings on reef health and mangrove coverage, inviting residents, students, and fishers to participate. Define roles clearly: boat crews, data volunteers, and youth ambassadors. Keep records and share outcomes to show impact, and celebrate milestones at peak season events. Prioritize areas that see the most visitation and smaller boats to reduce disturbance.

Tips sharing: Use our community guidelines to craft actionable suggestions. Submit tips via the online portal or at the next meeting; include the location area, date, and equipment involved. Focus on safer practices for boats, handling of gear, and timely reporting of stranded wildlife such as loggerheads. Publish accepted tips in the events calendar and briefing notes to keep volunteers informed. Small deposits to a community fund help sustain initiatives, gear upkeep, and training for new volunteers.

Concrete steps you can take now: sign up for the next community meeting; commit to one monthly event; recruit at least five volunteers; bring gloves, bags, a first-aid kit, and a seaworthy tarp. Coordinate with a local boat captain for transport and safety checks; log sightings and tips in a shared area to track progress. After each viewings session, note improvements in the mangroves area and freshwater spots; deposit additional tips and equipment requests to keep the program thriving.