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The governments of Solomon Islands, PNG and Indonesia have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understand to conserve and manage Western Pacific leatherback turtles, nesting sites, feeding areas and the migratory routes between the three countries.
They’ve made the commitment during the second preparatory meeting, hosted by the Government of Solomon Islands and WWF in Honiara last week.
Minister for Forests, Environment and Conservation Mathias Taro said the Government was pleased to commit to the partnership between the three countries.
A statement from WWF Solomon Islands said the partnership is a first of its kind between the three countries.
“It is a significant development towards the protection of these species and their habitats in this region. The signing ceremony will be hosted by the Government of Indonesia proposed t o be held in June 2006 following the upcoming elections in the Solomon Islands,” the statement said.
Through this partnership the conservation and management of the Western Pacific leatherback turtles, it’s nesting sides, feeding areas and migratory routes within the Bismarck Solomon Seas Eco-region (BSSE) will be maintained.
BSSE stretches from the Birdshead Peninsular of the province of Papua in Indonesia, across the Admiralty and Bismarck archipelagos of Papua New Guinea, to Makira Island of the Solomon Islands.
As part of the coral triangle and the last frontier for major tuna fisheries and other migratory species the BSSE is a scientifically recognised area of globally important biodiversity, said Lisette Wilson, WWF BSSE Coordinator.
“It is also home to about three million people, of whom an estimated 80 per cent rely on coastal resources for their livelihoods, cultures and traditions.
“So it is essential that conservation and community development are closely integrated and this partnership agreement is the first step in realising this vision,” she said.
The delegations from the three governments, WWF and other stakeholders warmly welcomed the progress made to secure this new partnership.
PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Parai Tamei congratulated the collaborating agencies.
“ This partnership would assist PNG meet its commitments to CBD and CITES,” he said.
Mr Tamei said PNG had initiated development of a National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) and that there was a possibility the Leatherback turtle would be the flagship species.
An Indonesian Government representative Parulian George Andreas Silalahi said the partnership stresses the importance of an active role and support by NGOs, donor agencies and donor countries in the implementation of concrete actions and programmes. “Thus, we truly welcome those who share the same vision in this,” he said.
Dr Peter Dutton from NOAA said “it was the Leatherback turtles which brought the NOAA team from across the ocean as this area is important to the Leatherback turtles in California and that NOAA stands ready to help in any way.
WF Solomon Islands BSSE EU Project Manager John Pita said through this partnership the protection of other species and habitats through the development of national systems of marine protected areas and responsible fisheries will also be supported.
“This was a major milestone in marine turtle conservation and support for community programmes in this region and a great way to kick start the up coming SPREP and IOSEA year of the sea turtle,” he added.
The three-day meeting was co-hosted and facilitated by the Department of Forests, Environment and Conservation in collaboration with WWF under the BSSE grant from the European Commission.
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