Bangkok, November 2003. The official website of the Memorandum of Understanding on Indian Ocean and South-East Asian Marine Turtles [http://www.ioseaturtles.org] has been launched. The site promotes the exchange of information vital for the conservation of the region's marine turtles, as well as the habitats on which they depend.

Reporting of current news items, announcements and profiles of areas important for turtles will all be regular features on the site. An electronic library hosting hard-to-find regional literature, PowerPoint and poster presentations, and a database of ongoing projects will serve as useful resource tools for marine turtle conservationists and others.

Extensive links to global, regional, national and local websites of direct or indirect relevance to marine turtle conservation quickly orient users to other sources of information. Naturally, the website is also the place to find official documents of the CMS/IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU, which now has 16 Signatory States spanning the Indian Ocean-South-East Asia region as well as the United States. Over time, the website will serve as a clearing house for all kinds of information on marine turtles of the IOSEA region and beyond. It will offer a unique perspective on the conservation activities being undertaken by Governments, NGOs, intergovernmental organisations, and other interested stakeholders of this vast region. At the same time, it will probe the issues and challenges confronting the long-term survival of these magnificent animals. Users are encouraged to link to the site, bookmark it and watch for regular updates. Feedback and contributions are welcomed!

Douglas Hykle
Co-ordinator / Senior CMS Advisor
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
E-mail: iosea@un.org