seaturtle.org : MTN : ARCHIVES : Sign In

It is a part of being human to feel the need to celebrate milestones. Welcome to the 100th issue of what has affectionately become simply the MTN. In the first issue of the Marine Turtle Newsletter in 1976, Nicholas Mrosovsky outlined the main aims of the publication:

1. to provide a forum for exchange of information about all aspects of marine turtle biology and conservation.
   
2. to alert interested people to particular threats to marine turtles, as they arise.
   

To mark the first "century" of the MTN we have assembled an extra special issue of editorial articles by past editors, members of our editorial advisory board and other internationally respected colleagues concerned with the study and conservation of marine turtles, their habitats and their relationships with man.

The main body of this issue is made up by six opinion editorials designed to stimulate thought and debate within the community served by the MTN. Following on from these, we welcome letters of comment for publication in future issues. Founding Editor, Nicholas Mrosovsky starts off this section by elaborating the story of why the MTN became an independent entity from the IUCN-SSC organisation now known as the Marine Turtle Specialist Group and how important he sees the continued independent role of the publication. Nat Frazer and, in turn, Jack Frazier then ask us to reflect on what we should be doing in the future. Karen Bjorndal and Alan Bolten give their argument as to why we should set our sights on restoring sea turtle populations to levels at which they perform their ecological function. Charles Caillouet focuses on the relationship between US shrimp fishing, its assessment and the future of shrimp, shrimp fisheries and of course, the marine turtles. Finally, Lisa Campbell outlines some of the challenges we face before we can reach the goal of carrying out truly interdisciplinary research.

The final three editorials are excellent reviews of sea turtle conservation by authors deeply involved at a regional level on the Atlantic coast of Africa, in Latin America/the Caribbean and in South and Southeast Asia. We would hope to follow-up these regional perspectives with others in future issues. The 100th issue is rounded off by the most up-to-date News and Legal Briefs and Recent Publications sections.

However, many of us are enthralled simply by the look of marine turtles and, to add to the celebration, we are privileged to include the wonderful photos of ace photographer and marine turtle enthusiast, Doug Perrine (<http://www.seapics.com/>). We thank him for his generosity. In choosing the pictures we have used one of each extant species and a number of life-cycle stages.

An Online Milestone

April 2003 does not just see the publication of MTN 100 but it also marks the passing of a key stage in the evolution of the MTN Online. Since 1998, Online Co-ordinator Michael Coyne has been working incrementally to ensure the ambitious goal of getting the MTN on the web. This was a difficult task which was given a boost by the involvement of IT consultant and sea turtle enthusiast Anton Holland of NIVA. At time of publication we fully expect to have all 100 issues of the MTN on the web as HTML and fully searchable. Adobe .pdf files in the archive will gradually be augmented until all are present and correct. The utility of the online version is demonstrated by the increasing number of our readers who are forgoing the hardcopy and subscribing online to receive updates as to when the new issue is available for downloading or browsing. Additionally, the documented online usage tells a story. In the first two months of 2003, there were over 150,000 pages of the MTN Online requested; a staggering rate, taking the total number of requests to more than 1.5 million. Adobe .pdf files of all but the most recent issues of the MTN have been downloaded more than 15,000 times, with each issue of the NTM downloaded over 5,000 times. It appears that with all past issues online, the only way is up! Please consider using the online version yourself.

Editorial Advisory Board

When we took over the editorship in 1998, we selected a six-strong Board of Editorial Advisors including the Founding Editor and Editor Emeritus. The board was augmented by four additional members in 2001. We are most grateful to all our Board members for the dedication and hard work they have put in over the years. This is especially true of Anders Rhodin who since our tenure began as editors has managed the finances under the auspices of the Chelonian Research Foundation, carried out the lion's share of the fundraising and maintained subscription database. This help has been invaluable, allowing us to grow into the roles of editors whilst he did much of the more mundane work. Unfortunately, additional commitments mean that Anders will soon have to step down from his multiple roles with the MTN and we will see him leave the Board after one more year in April 2004 once he has helped oversee the financial transition to our new home at SEATURTLE.ORG. MTN 100 sees us say farewell to Board Members Jack Frazer, Peter Lutz and Jeff Miller. We no doubt join with the readership in thanking them for their efforts. We will appoint a new group of board members to join the team in the near future.

A New Financial Home and a New Appeal

The MTN/NTM has now moved from under the financial umbrella of the Chelonian Research Foundation and financial matters will now be handled by SEATURTLE.ORG. This independent NGO has been home to the MTN-online since its inception and has full non-profit status, which means that donations will be fully tax deductible under US laws governing 501(c)(3) non-profit organisations. Thank-you to Michael Coyne for taking on this additional task.

It is remarkable that the MTN has survived so long without compulsory subscription. This is due to a massive volunteer effort and the profound generosity of our individual and institutional donors. We would very much like this to continue the subscription-free tradition and so ask you to show your appreciation for this key resource by completing the Annual Donations Appeal on the inserted coupon. Remember, although the MTN is accessible online, the relatively expensive hardcopy will still be needed for distribution to researchers, educators and managers throughout the developing world. Please give generously!

Thank you!

Over the past 5 years many people have helped us produce the MTN. Not only do we have all our past and present editorial board, and Online and NTM coordinators to thank, but a host of referees, reviewers and contributors. Please continue to send us your results and thoughts and encourage those that you work with to do the same. There are many people out there who wish to share your knowledge to fully understand and conserve marine turtles. Thank you!

Mating green turtles (Chelonia mydas) off Sipadan Island, Malaysia. © Doug Perrine/seapics.com