Transcript Sea turtles in Yemen seas, Threats and Conservation

Republic of Yemen
Ministry of Water and Environment
Environment Protection Authority
Sea Turtles in Yemen
Gamal A. Al-Harrani
Sea turtles in Yemen Waters,
Threats and Conservation
 Sea turtles, everywhere, are
considered as endangered
species, due to the decrease
in its population in the World
Oceans.
 The estimated number of
survivals hatchling to
adulthood is found not exceed
1 in 1,000 eggs.
 The adult turtles are subjected
to threats over nesting
beaches, area of feeding and
during their Longley migration
.
Map
Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen
Seas
 Green turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
 The Green turtles are
reported to nest in Ras
Sharma- Jethmoon
beaches, which are
considered as mostly
important nesting beaches
remaining in the world, and
on the Red Sea Beaches
Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen
Seas
 Hawksbill Sea turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata)
 Ras Immran (Aden) was
reported as important
nesting beach for
Hawksbill turtles in the
Gulf of Aden
 It nests also on
Sharmah_Jathmoon
Beaches together with
Green turtles
Sea turtles, occurrence in Yemen
Seas
 Loggerhead sea turtle
(Caretta caretta )
 Socotra is the nesting
beach for Loggerhead,
particularly in Ghubbat
Abalhan to Ras Kadama.
 In addition, there was a
number of nest in In
Abdulkuri .
 Locals exploit meat and
eggs of Loggerhead for
human consumption,
especially in Abdulkuri.
Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen
Seas
Olive ridley
(Lepidochelys olivacea )
 Some observers report
it is occurrence at
Sharmah-Jathmoon
beach, however, it
dose not confirmed.
Sea turtles , in Yemen Seas
 Leatherback Sea turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea)
 These turtles are not very common
in Yemeni seas.
 Fishermen are reported to see them
in the sea , mainly, near Immran and
In Socotra Archelapago .
 No data on their nest in Yemeni
beaches
Threats in Yemen
 Dogs; the uncontrolled population of dogs in RasSharmah- Jethmoon areas and their occurrence over the
nesting site.
 Eggs poacher ( canine and human) in nesting beaches , in
Ras – Sharma ( Hadramout ) and Ghubbat Abalhan and
Abdulkuri ( Socotra ).
 Capture of turtles for human consumption and for tortoise.
 Killing turtles in fishermen nets near the feeding and
nesting sites.
 Beach recreation , artificial lighting and movement of
people on nesting beaches specially by cars.
Conservation Strategies
 Sea turtles conservation can not be
succeed, unless it will be taken in all three
dimensions; they are: National efforts
 Regional efforts
 International efforts
National efforts
Capture of Sea turtles is forbidden by the law. In
addition, there is an orientation to declare many
nesting beaches and areas of feeding as marine
protected areas.
 Conduct public awareness among the local
communities and encourage Non Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) in conservation of sea
turtles and their nesting beaches and habitats.
 Declare a number of protected areas along the
Yemeni coast in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
 Continue tagging programme in nesting beaches.
Regional efforts
 Yemen is a member of (PERSGA),
-Surveys been conducted by PERSGA,
tagging in Sharmah-Jathmoon nest,
-Regional training, on turtles survey method
International efforts
 Sea turtles are protected by the “Convention
on trade of endangered species” (CITES ).
 Sea turtles are included in Appendix! Of this
agreement and receive protection from
international trade. Yemen is part of CITES.
 Sea turtles enjoy a special importance in the
documents and activities of IUCN.
Immediate goals for protecting
sea turtles
 * Crack down on illegal international trade in sea turtles
and their products by enforcing laws and agreements.
 * Decrease the turtle deaths caused by commercial fishing
through enforcement of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) and
gill net regulations.
 * Protect nesting beaches by establishing parks and
refuges or through regulations combined with public
education initiatives.
 * Eliminate disturbances at nesting beaches by decreasing
artificial lighting, halting beach armoring, regulating beach
nourishment and limiting the impacts of people on the
beach.
 Enforce national and international laws to minimize the
dumping of pollutants and solid waste into the ocean and
near shore waters.
 Continue research and monitoring activities to conserve
turtles population. Conservation efforts can be focused
where they are most needed.
 Increase public awareness and community participation in
sea turtle conservation through educational programs .
Thank you