Dr Clevo Wilson, of Queensland University of Technology, is working closely with Advisory Committee Chair, Dr Jack Frazier, to prepare an informative presentation on the positive and negative aspects of mass tourism and coastal development with special emphasis on their impacts on sea turtles. This will be followed by a number of interesting case studies intended to illustrate the complexity of sea turtle conservation in the context of coastal development.

A second workshop, led by WWF-Indonesia, will exchange information on the efficacy of turtle by-catch reduction measures, with an emphasis on the IOSEA region. Drawing on examples from Indonesia, it will highlight both positive and negative experiences and lessons learned; as well as future plans and opportunities for collaborative action. The topics to be examined will include: programmes to encourage safe release of by-caught turtles; observer programmes; use or non-use of TEDs; trials with hook design, bait type, fishing practices etc.; and spatial/temporal control of fishing effort. A fascinating presentation on the topic of destructive ghosts nets, gear disposal, and advances in net identification is also foreseen.

By now, interested participants should have received an Information Note with comprehensive details of the meeting venue and logistical issues. The annotated provisional agenda will help participants to prepare for each agenda item (and perhaps convince those who are undecided about attending the meeting).

Registrations have been arriving at a brisk pace. The few Signatory States (including some eligible for sponsorship) that have yet to confirm their participation are encouraged to do so without further delay, to avoid disappointment because of full flights or difficulty of securing a visa on time.

The Secretariat has received an excellent slate of nominations for the Advisory Committee, which will be circulated as a package to all Signatory States for their consideration in advance of the meeting. Other substantive meeting documents will be posted in the IOSEA Meetings section of the website as they become available.

* * * * *

A recent collaboration with ‘te mana o te moana’, an NGO working on sea turtle conservation in French Polynesia is about to bear fruit. It is generously sponsoring a French language translation of the IOSEA DVD, which hopefully will be ready for distribution before the SS5 meeting. Simultaneously, the Secretariat is arranging with the Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union to have the DVD aired widely through the Asia-Pacific region, in both languages.

Lastly, the Secretariat would like to extend its thanks for the sponsorship received from Governments in recent months to allow the IOSEA programme to continue. The United States, which has been involved with IOSEA for many years through its State Department, NOAA Fisheries, and US Fish and Wildlife Service, has made an important contribution towards the organisation of the SS5 meeting, as well as the operational costs of the Secretariat.

South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has also come through with critical funding for the third year in a row. Australia’s Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts -- a major contributor to IOSEA in past years -- has also agreed to provide funding that will enable some delegates to attend both the IOSEA and Dugong meetings in August. We hope that all IOSEA Signatory States will step forward with new pledges of support so that the work of the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU can continue well into 2009 and beyond.