Marine Turtles – Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the
Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of
the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia (IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU)
There are six species of marine turtle found in the waters of
South-east Asia and the Indian Ocean. All are endangered, facing
threats from accidental capture in industrial fishing operations,
unsustainable harvesting at nesting sites and in near-shore waters
and, destruction of nesting beaches from inappropriate coastal
development. Due to their migratory nature, marine turtles in this
region regularly cross national boundaries, and there is a need to
better coordinate conservation efforts at the international
level.
The Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and
their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia was
finalised in Manila, the Philippines in June 2001, and came into
effect in September 2001. The MoU provides a framework through
which States of the region, as well as other concerned States, can
work together to conserve and replenish depleted marine turtle
populations for which they share responsibility. It acknowledges a
wide range of threats to marine turtles, including habitat
destruction, direct harvesting and trade, fisheries by-catch,
pollution and other man-induced sources of mortality. Accordingly,
the MoU includes a comprehensive region-wide plan containing 24
programmes and 105 specific activities which aim to reverse the
decline of marine turtle populations throughout the region. The
measures to be taken focus on reducing threats, conserving critical
habitat, exchanging scientific data, increasing public awareness
and participation, promoting regional cooperation and seeking
resources for implementation.
The UK ratified the MoU on behalf of the British Indian Ocean
Territory (BIOT) in March 2002. The BIOT hosts significant nesting
populations of critically endangered hawksbill turtles
Eretmochelys imbricata and endangered green turtles
Chelonia mydas, with about 300 of each nesting annually.
Endangered leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea are a
vagrant in the area.
JNCC provided scientific support to the UK
delegation at the first meeting of Signatory States to the Indian
Ocean - Southeast Asian Marine Turtle MoU held in Bangkok, Thailand
in January 2003. Nearly 20 Signatory and observer States
participated in the meeting, together with interested
non-government and international government organisations from
around the region. The UK delegation played a significant role in
the outcomes of the meeting which established an advisory
committee, reviewed implementation of the conservation and
management plan, the format for national reporting and identified
complementary regional initiatives. Since then, JNCC has
represented the UK at each meeting of the Signatory States and
provided scientific advice to the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the compilation of the yearly
report.
Marine Turtles – Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning
Conservation Measures for Marine Turtles of the Atlantic Coast of
Africa
Marine turtles are thought to be numerous along much of the
Atlantic coast of Africa, extending from Morocco to South Africa.
Information suggests that the waters of Morocco (which includes the
Western Sahara region) are regularly visited by loggerhead
Caretta caretta, leatherback Dermochelys
coriacea, and green Chelonia mydas turtles, and
occasionally by hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and olive
ridley Lepidochelys olivacea turtles. Large numbers of
marine turtles are systematically slaughtered for meat, and their
eggs sold for food, beyond what is sustainable. Considerable
numbers die after becoming entangled in fishing nets. Others are
killed for their shells, as there appears to be a trade in turtle
shells both within and between some countries in the region, often
in defiance of international trade laws on endangered species.
Interest in basic research and conservation activities in a number
of countries have grown considerably in recent years; however gaps
in the knowledge of marine turtle distribution and abundance remain
vast and efforts to coordinate conservation programmes at an
international level are still in their infancy.
A detailed Conservation Plan has been developed to accompany
the MoU. The objectives of the plan are to improve basic knowledge
of species biology and migration routes; reduce direct and indirect
causes of marine turtle mortality; engage local communities and
others in conservation efforts; enhance co-operation and
co-ordination within and among Range States; and secure funding to
initiate or continue marine turtle conservation programmes.
The UK's signing of the MoU is being considered by the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). Ascension Island boasts
one of the largest green turtle rookeries in the Atlantic and their
monitoring and conservation is a priority for this species. Recent
genetic studies have estimated that 40% of the Ascension Island
green turtle population feed in the Gulf of Guinea at some point
during their life-time. Direct harvesting of turtles and by-catch
in the rich fisheries of the Gulf of Guinea is therefore considered
a substantial threat to Ascension Island population as a
whole.
JNCC continues to provide up-to-date
scientific advice to Defra in relation to this MoU.
JNCC attends international symposiums and
conferences on marine turtle conservation and biology to be able to
advise the CITES group and Defra on all actions regarding marine
turtles conservation in UK Overseas Territory and UK waters.
February 2010