What is the objective of the Memorandum of Understanding?

The Memorandum puts in place a framework through which States of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region, as well as other concerned States, can work together to conserve and replenish depleted marine turtle populations for which they share responsibility. Major threats to marine turtles included unsustainable exploitation, destruction of nesting and feeding habitats, and incidental mortality in fishing operations. The Conservation and Management Plan -- containing 24 programmes and 105 specific activities -- focuses on reducing threats, conserving critical habitat, exchanging scientific data, increasing public awareness and participation, promoting regional cooperation, and seeking resources for implementation.

Which species of marine turtles are covered by the MoU?

Loggerhead Caretta caretta, Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea, Green Chelonia mydas, Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata, Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea, Flatback Natator depressus

What geographic areas does the MoU cover?

The waters and coastal States of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia and adjacent seas, extending eastwards to the Torres Strait. For implementation purposes, the area is divided into four sub-regions: South-East Asia + Australia, Northern Indian Ocean, Northwestern Indian Ocean, and Western Indian Ocean.

Which countries does the MoU concern?

There are 44 "States of the Agreement Area" frequented by marine turtles that are directly concerned by the MoU.

Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Comores, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, France, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenay, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Yemen. 

Additionally, the MoU is open to signature by other States with an interest in the conservation and management of marine turtles, as well as those States whose vessels may be taking marine turtles directly or incidentally in fishing operations. The United States of America is also participating in the Memorandum of Understanding.

Which countries are actually participating the Memorandum?

So far, 27 States have signed the MoU. They are as follows (the date of signature is given in parentheses): Australia (23.06.01), Bahrain (10.12.06), Bangladesh (23.10.03), Cambodia (12.12.02), Comoros (23.06.01), Eritrea (24.11.05), India (20.02.07), Indonesia (31.03.05), Islamic Republic of Iran (23.06.01), Jordan, (18.03.04), Kenya (09.05.02), Madagascar (22.01.03), Mauritius (12.07.02), Myanmar (23.06.01), Oman (16.03.04), Pakistan (12.07.04), Philippines (23.06.01), Saudi Arabia (03.08.05), Seychelles (22.01.03), South Africa (22.02.05), Sri Lanka (23.06.01), Thailand (12.05.04), United Arab Emirates (18.01.07), United Kingdom (27.03.02), United Republic of Tanzania (23.06.01), United States of America (23.06.01), Viet Nam (24.07.01).

Which other States of the Agreement Area have yet to sign the MoU?

Brunei Darussalam, China, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Somalia, Sudan, Timor Leste, Yemen.


When did the MoU take effect?

On 1 September 2001. (The MoU becomes effective for new members on the first day of the third month following the date on which they sign.)

What measures have the Signatory States taken so far?

Many of the Signatory States are already undertaking actions to conserve and manage marine turtles and the habitats on which they depend. The Secretariat is in the process of compiling information in order to be able to provide an overview of these measures, and to identify gaps in implementation.

The Signatory States held their first formal meeting in Bangkok from 22-24 January 2003. Among other things, the meeting agreed on appointments to the Advisory Committee, reviewed implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan, identified complementary regional initiatives, reviewed financial matters and discussed arrangements for the MoU Secretariat.

The Second Meeting of Signatory States was held from 16-19 March 2004. The meeting reviewed, in detail, the progress made towards implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan; endorsed a proposal for the establishment of a network of significant sites; agreed to begin planning for a Year of the Turtle campaign in 2006; revised the geographic scope of the MoU to include China, Japan and the Republic of Korea; and undertook to examine the feasibility of extending the coverage of the MoU to include countries in the Pacific. A report is available from the Secretariat and the IOSEA website under Second Signatory State Meeting (SS2) - 2004

The Third Meeting of the Signatory States was held in Bangkok from 29-31 March 2005, and was well attended by about 65 participants. There was representation from all but one of the 21 Signatory States, as well as three non-Signatories and observers from nearly 20 non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations.

Among the highlights:

- Review of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of the measures put in place by IOSEA Signatories to conserve marine turtles and their habitats of the region.

- Agreement to proceed with a region-wide Year of the Turtle campaign in 2006 under the IOSEA banner.

- Further consideration of a plan to establish a network of sites of importance for marine turtles (for which the criteria for the selection of sites are to be developed in the coming months).

- Endorsement of the Secretariat's proposal to intensify linkages with regional fisheries management bodies, and for IOSEA Signatories to report on their implementation of newly adopted FAO guidelines on reducing turtle mortality in fishing operations.

- Detailed discussion of other cooperative international actions required to tackle the problem of turtle by-catch in fisheries, and passage of a resolution urging the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to take concrete steps in this area.

- Agreement to investigate the impacts of the Indian Ocean tsunami on marine turtle populations, with particular attention to be given to leatherback turtles; and passage of a resolution calling for sustainable fisheries and coastal development practices in the tsunami's aftermath, particularly as they relate to marine turtles.

- Reconstitution of an expanded Advisory Committee under the new chairmanship of Dr. George Hughes, from South Africa. For the first time, observers chosen from each of the four IOSEA sub-regions will be able contribute to the deliberations.

- Agreement to consider further options for extending the IOSEA MoU to include interested countries of the Pacific or to develop a similar instrument for that region.

A report is available from the IOSEA website under Third Signatory State Meeting (SS3) - 2005

How did the MoU come about?

The Memorandum of Understanding and associated Conservation and Management Plan were developed over a series of intergovernmental negotiation sessions held in Perth, Australia (October 1999), Kuantan, Malaysia (July 2000), and Manila, Philippines (June 2001).

How does the MoU relate to the Convention on Migratory Species?

The MoU is a non-binding agreement concluded under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Article IV, para. 4).

How is the Memorandum financed?

The Secretariat has been established and some project activities have been financed through voluntary contributions from the Governments of Australia, France, United Kingdom, and the United States; as well as UNEP/Division of Environmental Conventions, UNEP/Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the CMS Trust Fund.

What is the Advisory Committee?

The Advisory Committee is a seven-member body appointed by the Signatory States, for the purpose of providing scientific and technical advice. The Committee held its second and third meetings in Bangkok, in March 2004 and March 2005, respectively. The fourth meeting of the Committee took place in Muscat, Oman, in March 2006.

In which languages is the text of the MoU available?

The official texts exist in three language versions (Arabic, English and French); the working language of the MoU is English. Additionally, informal translations of the MoU have been prepared in a number of other languages, and these are available through the Secretariat or on this website, under "Official Texts".

Where can I request more information on the MoU?

From the Secretariat, which has been operational since April 2003:

Co-ordinator / Senior CMS Advisor: Mr. Douglas Hykle

IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat
c/o UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Tel: +(662) 288 1471; Fax: +(662) 280 3829 or +(662) 288 1057
E-mail: iosea@un.org