SPREP dives into 2006 with the Pacific Year of the Sea Turtle

2006 has been declared the Pacific Year of the Sea Turtle, and SPREP, with its key partners, is setting the scene for a yearlong campaign that will increase conservation of these ancient Pacific voyagers.

On 1 March, SPREP with its member countries and territories will formally launch the 2006 Pacific Year of the Sea Turtle, a regional initiative to promote community, national and regional collaboration in turtle conservation efforts.

For centuries, turtles have been an integral part of Pacific culture and heritage. However, numbers are rapidly decreasing marking an urgent call for a coordinated and committed effort to increase turtle stocks in the Pacific.

The Year of the Sea Turtle has three key aims:

• Promote community conservation of turtle foraging and nesting sites
• Strengthen national legislation and policies to encourage sustainable management
• Facilitate long-term partnerships for turtle conservation

This regional campaign will be coordinated by SPREP with its key partners that include national governments, intergovernmental organizations, local communities, the fishing industry, fisheries and tourism authorities, donors, NGOs, institutes and organizations.

As a shared resource, turtle conservation is a shared responsibility, and SPREP is promoting the need for communities, governments and industry to work together to increase turtle conservation.

The participation of partners is a crucial element of the campaign’s success who are being encouraged to integrate campaign activities into new or existing programme activities.

To get involved in the Year of the Sea Turtle campaign, please contact Lui Bell, Marine Species Officer, SPREP

Related links:

• IOSEA Year of the Turtle 2006 - http://www.ioseaturtles.org/yot2006/
• Chief backs ban on turtle meat (Fiji Times) http://www.fijitimes.com.fj/story.aspx?id=37264