Regional drive to conserve turtles |30 January 2006

Project Officer in the department of environment's Marine Unit, Pierre André Adam said that Seychelles has signed up to the "Year of the Turtle" theme to, "show our concern and willingness to join hands with other countries in conserving this endangered species."

Seychelles joined twenty other countries in 2003 in signing an agreement under the convention of migratory species of wild animals, pledging to work alongside partner organisations to "protect, conserve, replenish and recover marine turtles and their habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region."

Mr Adam said that the campaign is geared towards raising awareness of the diversity of social, cultural, ecological and economic values of marine turtles.

During the year the Marine Unit of the Conservation Section, in collaboration with other sectors of society, is expected to undertake work aimed at sensitising members of the public to the importance of turtle conservation.

Activities will include quiz competitions, special turtle monitoring site visits and presentations in schools on the endangered species.

He said that there are four species of sea turtles found in Seychelles' waters, namely the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, leatherback turtle and the loggerhead turtle.

"Only the green turtle (torti-d-mer, torti ver) and the hawksbill turtle (kare) come to lay eggs on our shores" Mr Adam said, adding that in many cases people mistake the two.

He said that green turtles have flat beaks but the hawksbill have pointed beaks and are much smaller in size.

"Hawksbill turtles mostly lay their eggs on granitic islands whereas the green turtle do it on other outer islands." he said.

Mr Adam claimed that there has been an increase in the number of reported poaching cases, which show that people are more conscious of the need to protect the species. He said that most reports have been done through the Department of Environment's greenline emergency number.

He also reminded poachers that if they are caught, they will be liable to a maximum fine of R500,000, two years in prison and also the possibility of the confiscation of their vehicles or boats in which any offence is committed.

The department is also planning a series of workshops aimed at educating environment officials and police officers involved in the protection of turtles on how to deal more efficiently with cases of poaching.