IOSEA meeting in the margins of the 27th Sea Turtle Symposium

The IOSEA MoU Secretariat hosted a side-meeting on 23 February for delegates interested in the latest developments in the IOSEA region.

Coordinator Douglas Hykle summarized activities undertaken over the previous year, with special emphasis on the recently concluded Year of the Turtle campaign. More »

India joins the Memorandum of Understanding

On 20 February 2007, the recently installed Indian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha Reddy, visited the offices of the United Nations Environment Programme in Bangkok to sign the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU. This much-anticipated signature, the third in as many months, brings to 27 the number of Signatory States to the MoU. More »

Sea turtle training in Eritrea for trawler observers

The waters of the Dahlak Archipelago and southern Red Sea coast of Eritrea are a major habitat for turtles, but they are also the main shrimping grounds in Eritrea. Each year, thousands of turtles become entangled in fishing nets and drown. In January 2007, a four-day sea turtle field training course was given to 15 observers on board industrial shrimp/fish trawlers. More »

IOSEA received a triple dose of good news in February. First came confirmation from Australia of its regular voluntary contribution to the Memorandum of Understanding, and an additional special contribution of AUS 50,000 in 2007. South Africa has also indicated its willingness to make a voluntary contribution this year. Thanks to the leadership demonstrated by both countries, the financial viability of the IOSEA programme is much improved. It is hoped that further contributions will be secured from other Signatory States that have consistently supported IOSEA in the past, so that operations can continue into 2008.

In the same week, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which administers IOSEA and its parent organisation (the Convention on Migratory Species - CMS), approved a plan that will see additional resources injected into IOSEA. Nearly USD 25,000 taken from overhead charges each year will be returned to IOSEA as a major contribution towards the cost of hiring a full-time assistant to the Co-ordinator. This arrangement, which was negotiated over the past several months, will provide much needed support to the Secretariat at virtually no extra cost to the IOSEA membership.

Rare leatherback turtle nest on Thailand beach (26 February)

Sea threatens to eat away human settlements (23 February)

On the turtle trail in India (19 February)

Korean-backed Subic Bay coal plant opposed (19 February)

Australia: Green turtles return to Mon Repos (15 February)

India: Turtle tracking system faces problems (13 February)

New hook design to save endangered turtles (13 February)

Olive Ridley turtles arrive in Orissa (12 February)

Arribada begins on Orissa coast (12 February)

Penang restaurateur releases hatchlings (11 February)

Philippines: Community awareness frees trapped turtle (9 February)

What's behind Malaysian turtle's demise? (9 February)

Rare turtles found dead in Bangladesh (8 February)

Where do Orissa's Olive ridleys go? (8 February)

New tag return poster produced for Northwest Indian Ocean
(8 February)

Updated 'Dates of Interest' Calendar in Electronic Library
(7 February)

Plans for Orissa turtle tourism (6 February)

French Polynesia: 'te mana o te moana' looks back on 2006 (6 February)

Beneficial Philippines - U.A.E. turtle connection (3 February)

Indian president speaks about turtles (2 February)

Cuba shelves Japan-linked turtle trade proposal (1 February)

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