WWF applauds partnership for leatherback turtle conservation
29 Aug 2006
Bali, 28 August 2006 - The Tri-National Partnership for Western Pacific Leatherback Turtles conservation marks a strong commitment to environmental protection by three countries - Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
"The three governments have showed their commitment to improving the livelihood of their people through sustainable development and conservation," Michael Avosa, PNG WWF Country Program Manager stated today during the MOU signing event of The Partnership, in Bali, Indonesia.
The Partnership is being signed by the Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to the Republic of Indonesia, HE Mr Christopher Siao Mero, the Minister of Forests, Environment and Conservation of Solomon Islands, Hon Mr Job Dudley Tausinga, and the Minister of Forestry of Indonesia, Hon Mr H.M.S. Kaban. It will allow the three countries to enhance conservation of leatherback turtles through information sharing, exchange of data and cooperative research and building conservation expertise.
The Partnership plans to establish a network of marine protected areas covering a minimum critical area of habitats that supports Western Pacific leatherback turtle conversation efforts across the Bismarck Solomon Seas Eco-region (BSSE). The three nations mutually consented to advance a number of actions to improve the conservation status of Western Pacific leatherback turtles in the BSSE.
The leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is an ancient turtle that is believed to be more than 60 million years old. This is the largest living turtle with the greatest geographical distribution for any reptile. Its habitat range extends from tropical nesting beaches to marine foraging areas, spreading from the tropics to cool temperate waters, with some individuals even foraging in sub-polar waters. It is also the deepest diving turtle having been recorded with the longest diving duration.
"We strongly support this partnership for shared responsibility to protect such migratory species. Sharing responsibility regionally and internationally will safeguard critical feeding areas, reproduction and nesting habitats. WWF hopes that this partnership will lead to improved fisheries management to reduce by-catch of these magnificent animals," said Mubariq Ahmad, the Executive Director of WWF-Indonesia. "WWF is committed to continue its support for actions protecting critical habitats and for promoting improved fisheries management. We take this opportunity to call upon other patners, donors, governments and industry to contribute to the conservation of this globally significant turtle species," he said.
The people of the Bismarck-Solomon Seas Eco-region have long supported conservation efforts by national and international institutions and conservation organisations. The people living in the Jamursba Medi and Warmon areas have been involved in the recent establishment of the ABUN Turtle Based Marine Protected Area on the northern part of Bird's Head, Papua. They actively participate in the protection of one of the most important nesting habitats of leatherback turtles in the world.
"This Tri-National Partnership raises to an international level the good initiative that local people have started," Mubariq said.
"The estimated global population of nesting female leatherback turtles stands at approximately 34,000. Although the agreement focuses on leatherback turtles, provisions have been made which recognise other migratory species and habitats within the BSSE," said Stephen Kido Dalipanda, Country Program Manager, WWF Solomon Islands.
Leatherback turtle conservation is symbolic of the regional collaboration that needs to occur for the future of all marine resources and ecosystems within the Bismarck and Solomon Seas. The Partnership offers a great platform for regional collaboration on achievements of broader marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
Find out more
Creusa Hitipeuw, Leatherback Turtle Project, WWF-Indonesia
Phone: 08124856441
Email: chitipeuw@wwf.or.id
Michael Avosa, PNG Country Program Manager, WWF
Phone: +675 3200149
Email: mavosa@wwfpacific.org.pg
Stephen Kido Dalipanda, Soloman Islands Country Programme, WWF
Phone: +677 28023
Email: skdalipanda@solomon.com.sb
Notes
About leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)
Ancient ocean voyagers, leatherback turtles have lived in our seas for over 150 million years, pre-empting the dinosaur age. Although protected under various national laws and international treaties, population trends show alarming rates of decline due to domestic and commercial exploitation of eggs, development and destruction of nesting beaches, accidental capture and drowning in fisheries using long line and purse seining methods, ocean pollution and ingestion of plastic and other garbage.
About BSSE
Bismarck Solomon Seas Eco-region (BSSE), also known as the "Western Indo Pacific cradle of coral biodiversity" is the seascape stretching from the Vogelkop (Doberai) Peninsula of Papua, Indonesia, across the Admiralty and Bismarck archipelagos of Papua New Guinea, to Makira Island of the Solomon Islands, covering approximately 2 million sq km and home to approximately 3 million people of which 80 per cent rely on coastal resources for their livelihoods. Western Pacific leatherback turtles refers to the population of leatherback turtles, the common name is Demochelys coriacea, that nest, hatch, feed and migrate in the BSSE.
