The MoU was concluded under CMS auspices and became effective on 1 September 2001. It will remain open for signature indefinitely. The Signatory States held their first meeting in Bangkok in January 2003. A small regional secretariat was established in April 2003, initially through voluntary funding, to coordinate activities under the MoU. The IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat is co-located with the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP/ROAP), in Bangkok, Thailand.

Major threats to marine turtles include unsustainable exploitation, destruction of nesting and feeding habitats and incidental mortality in fishing operations. Threatened or endangered in many parts of the world, marine turtles are considered as flagship species on which to base interventions aimed at protecting habitats of importance for a myriad of other marine species

In the context of sustainable development, the conservation and management of marine turtles globally and within the Indian Ocean - South-East Asian region presents a formidable challenge. Many communities still utilise marine turtles for their meat and eggs, as a source of protein, and their shell for traditional crafts. At the same time, marine turtles have both intrinsic and ecological values as important components of marine ecosystems.

The species of marine turtles covered by the MoU are the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Flatback turtle (Natator depressus).

The Agreement Area covers 41 Range States. The MoU applies to 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 and Australia, Northern Indian Ocean, Northwestern Indian Ocean, and Western Indian Ocean. An up to date list of the MoU’s Signatories is found in its Agreement Summary Sheet.

The Conservation and Management Plan

The Conservation and Management Plan contains 24 programmes and 105 specific activities. It focuses on reducing threats, conserving critical habitat, exchanging scientific data, increasing public awareness and participation, promoting regional cooperation, and seeking resources for implementation.

The MoU puts in place a framework through which States of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region, as well as other concerned States, can work together to conserve and replenish depleted marine turtle populations for which they share responsibility. This objective will be achieved through the collective implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan.

Activities under the MoU

Various international agreements and national laws strive to conserve and protect marine turtles from excessive exploitation. Ultimately, however, the success of these initiatives depends on effective implementation of measures by a wide range of actors, i.e. governmental (at all levels), non-governmental (NGOs, civil society) and intergovernmental.

Not surprisingly, in the face of other pressing development priorities, many countries lack the capacity and resources to undertake conservation measures for these species - notwithstanding their socio-economic value and intrinsic worth. This makes it even more important to offer support, assistance and encouragement to build capacity among those who are the real custodians of these natural resources.

The MoU plays its part by developing a well-coordinated network of interested stakeholders, delivering a comprehensive programme of necessary interventions, and providing an inclusive forum for regular review of implementation progress.

CMS funded projects that fall under the MoU involve among others the establishment of a database for marine turtle migration mapping in order to work out an integrated and collaborative conservation programme. Another project on marine turtles in Kenya is due to begin in 2004 and is funded with a voluntary contribution from the British Government.

Further information:

IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat
c/o UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
10th Floor, United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand

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

Website: http://www.ioseaturtles.org/