As the leatherback turtle goes about its life, it will pass through 32 countries and territories across the Pacific Ocean.
In some countries, there will be conservation measures to help protect the endangered turtle, but then it will cross a border or enter the high seas, where there's little protection.
This lack of consistent protection for endangered migratory species like the leatherback turtle could be contributing to their decline, according to new research.
The study's lead author, Dr Autumn-Lynn Harrison from the Smithsonian Institute in the US, studied 14 species as they migrated across over nearly a decade.
She told Jamie Tahana there needs to be better protection for endangered species in the seas.
Critically endangered leatherback sea turtles are back in the bay. Photo: Sunlive / Nathan Pettigrew
