Hull Team's Turtle Rescue Mission

It’s not every day that aquarium experts from Hull swap their usual tanks for a transatlantic trip, but that’s exactly what two aquarists from The Deep recently did. In January 2026, it was announced that they had travelled all the way to the USA to join a massive turtle rescue mission. This wasn't a holiday; it was a hands-on conservation effort in freezing temperatures, all to save hundreds of helpless sea turtles. For the seventh year running, as of 2025, The Deep has been a key part of this global project, sending its skilled team to help a species in serious trouble. The mission brings together a dedicated team of staff, interns, and volunteers from all over the world, all united by a common goal.

A chilly problem in Cape Cod

So, what’s the big deal? Every autumn, something strange and dangerous happens on the beaches of Cape Cod. Hundreds of sea turtles get stranded, washed up on the shore, too cold to move. It’s a bit like when your hands get so cold you can’t use your phone properly – except for these turtles, it’s a life-or-death situation. They call them ‘cold-stunned sea turtles’. As the weather cools, turtles naturally start swimming south to find warmer waters. But sometimes, the temperature drops so suddenly they get caught out. Their bodies basically shut down, leaving them helpless against the currents.

The shape of Cape Cod Bay makes things even worse. It’s shaped like a giant hook, which acts as a natural trap. The turtles swim into the bay, and when the cold hits, they can’t find their way out. The currents just push them onto the miles of beaches. Without a rapid rescue, these turtles wouldn't stand a chance. The work carried out by the aquarists and volunteers is essential for their survival. This annual phenomenon requires a massive, coordinated effort to find and save as many turtles as possible before it's too late. The entire turtle rescue mission is built around this race against time.

The international rescue team

This isn’t a one-person job. The rescue is a huge operation involving a dedicated team from the New England Aquarium, supported by hundreds of volunteers and several other aquarium partners, including Hull’s own The Deep. Last month, aquarists from The Deep experienced their coldest trip yet, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -25 degrees Celsius. But the extreme cold didn’t stop their work. The international team, made up of permanent staff, temporary interns, and passionate volunteers, all pull together to make the rescue happen. This amazing collaboration is a perfect example of what can be achieved with a common goal.

The main patient is the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, which is critically endangered. Finding so many of them in trouble is a big blow to the species, but this project offers a lifeline. The rescue centre also treats other species like Leatherback, Green, and Loggerhead turtles. The combined efforts of this dedicated team lead to incredible survival rates of 80-90% for the turtles that make it to the rescue centre. To date, this vital conservation project has successfully treated over 470 sea turtles, a testament to the hard work of everyone involved. Each successful release is a victory for the entire team.

A turtle’s road to recovery

What happens to a turtle after it’s been rescued from the beach? Each one goes on a carefully managed journey to get it back to full health. The process is meticulous and designed to give every single turtle the best possible chance of survival.

• The Check-In: First, each sea turtle gets a full health check, almost like a new patient at a hospital. They are given a number and an intake band so the team can track their individual progress. They receive injections and a personalised treatment plan is created for each turtle.

• Warming Up: The next step is a slow and steady warm-up. You can’t just stick a frozen turtle in a warm bath! They are placed in small pools where the temperature is gradually increased, allowing their bodies to acclimatise safely. Once they’re a bit stronger, they move to larger, warmer pools.

• Time for a Snack: Getting the turtles to eat is a huge part of their recovery. The staff and volunteers carefully chop up fish and squid, weighing out the portions for feedings in the morning and afternoon. Keeping track of who eats what helps the team monitor how well each turtle is doing.

• Moving On: Once a turtle is stable, it is often moved to a larger rescue centre. These places have more space and resources to continue the long-term care needed before the final release.

• The Big Release: After months of rehabilitation, the big moment arrives. The healthy sea turtles are released back into warmer waters. This is the ultimate aim of all the hard work, as it increases the number of breeding adults in the wild, which is essential for these endangered species. The rescue team even satellite tags many of the turtles to track their migration and learn more about them.

Thoughts from the aquarists

Two of The Deep’s own aquarists, Shoshana Levine and Gavin Clarke, were part of the recent mission. They shared their thoughts on the incredible experience.

“I always love working with their incredible team and helping save turtles. I’m always amazed that the turtles are able to survive, they come in as little ice cubes, sometimes without a heartbeat, and can completely recover.”

“For Gav, he specifically liked the hands-on nature of the conservation work and knowing that without our efforts the turtles would not survive. He was also impressed by their survival rates when they make it to the rescue centre and to be a part of that felt very special.”

“It’s great to see the collective passion and drive to succeed that extends through all the volunteers, interns, temp staff, and rescue staff. As an extension of this, it's amazing to see the network of organisations that work together and share a common goal, to get all these turtles healthy and released.”