1947 Mexican scientist films arribada of an estimated 40,000 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico.

1966 Sea turtle preserve established at primary nesting beach in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico

1973 All sea turtles that occur in US waters are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

1994 Mexico establishes a no-fishing zone in the waters off Rancho Nuevo. US begins to assist Mexican conservation efforts at Rancho Nuevo.

US begins a "headstarting" program in which eggs from Mexico are brought to the US, the hatchlings are raised in captivity, and later released from Padre Island, TX, in order to create a secondary nesting colony.

mid-1980s The impacts of a historic turtle fishery, poaching, and shrimping reduce the global population of Kemp's nesters to less than 500 females.

1988 Kemp's Ridley Headstart Experiment discontinued.

1989 The US issues regulations, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, requiring US shrimpers to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on their vessels.

1990 National Academy of Sciences concludes that shrimp trawling kills more sea turtles in US waters than all other human means combined.

1994 Sea turtle deaths along the Texas coast soar, totaling more than 500, almost half of which are Kemp's.

1994 STRP , HEART and HSUS filed lawsuit against NMFS to halt all shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico until the agency stops the deaths of sea turtles and improves enforcement of Turtle Excluder Devices in shrimp nets.

1996 Billboards posted in Texas asking "How many endangered Texas sea turtles get killed for your shrimp?" In 1996, there were 450.

1997 Undercover investigation by Humane Society of the US and Sea Turtle Restoration Project reveals that compliance with federal TEDs law is about 60%, despite federal claims of nearly 100% compliance.

1998 National Research Council recommends that 20% of our oceans should be set aside in permanent marine protected areas.

1998 In response to ongoing sea turtle deaths in Texas (including mutilations), the Sea Turtle Restoration Project and the Humane Society of the US demand immediate closure of Texas shrimp fishing, as well as offer $5,000 reward to find shrimpers caught mutilating sea turtles

Federal report links shrimp season with increased turtle mortality in Texas.

1998 Sea Turtle Restoration Project becomes the first to call for permanent shrimping closure off the waters of Padre Island and the creation of a Kemp's Ridley Marine Reserve.

1998 Sea Turtle Restoration Project and the Group of 100 (Mexico) publish op-ed calling for the creation of the marine reserve. Editorials follow in the Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman, and the Christian Science Monitor.

1998 Texas holds first public sea turtle workshop about Kemp's ridley strandings and remedies. STRP calls for the creation of the Kemp's Ridley Marine Reserve.

1998 STRP pressure prompts increased TEDs enforcement. National Marine Fisheries Service dispatches two boats to monitor Gulf of Mexico shrimp fleet. Next year results are 20-25% noncompliance.

1999 Record number (16) of Kemps ridleys return to nest in South Texas

1999 International Sea Turtle Symposium, consisting of the world's top sea turtle scientists, pass a resolution calling for the creation of the Texas marine reserve

1999 STRP places two ads in the New York Times calling on then-Texas Governor Bush to take lead in protecting Kemp's ridleys by creating marine reserve. Protesters hound Bush at three California campaign stops.

1999 Reports come in of record numbers of sea turtles dying in Texas. Loss of Loggerhead sea turtles in Texas soars to 20-year high.

2000 Protestors dressed in sea turtle costumes march on Texas Capitol in Austin. Animal Welfare Institute, Animal Protection Institute and EarthFirst! begin participating in effort.

Hundreds of students begin entering art entries and poems in Marine Reserve Art Contest. First student awarded prize.

More than 30 turtles wash up dead in Texas, including some with flippers tied with rope and holes drilled in shells.

STRP sends Texas Parks & Wildlife a three-inch stack of petitions signed by more than three thousand people.

Scientific report proves Florida sea turtles are being killed in Texas Waters.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission forwards proposed shrimp regulations that include a closure (marine reserve) along South Texas. Sea turtle supporters rally outside Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department weakens proposed shrimp regulations by 75% and shrinks proposed Southern Closure, despite strong public support.

2000 Sea turtle supporters testify at public hearings on shrimp regulations held in coastal cities in Texas and write thousands of letters in favor of the permanent year-round closure along the South Texas coast.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department holds closed Shrimp Working Group meetings without public participation; only shrimpers, fishers and selected enviro groups invited (not STRP, HEART or HSUS) with goal of weakening proposed closure and other shrimp regulations.

Sea Turtle Restoration Project runs full-page ad in New York Times calling on Gov. Bush to publicly support Kemp's Ridley Marine Reserve and TPWD proposed year-round shrimp closure. Bush remains silent.

Top Texas newspapers publish strong editorials in support of permanent year-round shrimp closure (marine reserve): Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Austin American Statesman, Galveston Daily News. Corpus Christi Caller Times, San Antonio Express News.

Sea Turtle Art Contest Exhibit displayed at Texas State Capitol in Austin, Austin Central Library and Austin Zoo. Students from Groesbeck Middle School give Kemp's Ridley Marine Reserve presentation at STRP-sponsored press conference at Capitol.

Just five days before the final vote, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department weakens shrimp regulations and reduces closure to seasonal, December to July.

Nearly all public comments (96%) favor the original shrimp regulations including the permanent year-round shrimp closure. But Texas Parks & Wildlife Commissioners succumb to shrimp industry pressure and approve seasonal closure out to 5 miles from December to July along South Texas coast on Aug. 31, 2000. Closure takes effect Dec. 1, 2000.

 Sea turtle strandings in Texas begin to rise and two Kemp's ridleys are found cut in half. Dredging is ruled out as the cause. Several adult Kemp's ridleys found dead. Turtles wash up with heads and flippers cut off.

2002-2005 Thousands of letters and names on petitions have been sent to Governor Rick Perry asking for a marine reserve at the Padre Island National Seashore.

2005 51 Kemp's ridleys nested on the Texas coast with 28 nesting at the Padre Island National Seashore increasing the need for a marine reserve with no commercial fishing allowed.

August 2005 Gulf Office Director Carole Allen appeared before the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners to request a marine reserve and the extension of the South Texas closure from 7 1/2 months to year around.