Signatories to IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU Agree on New Work Programme
Da Nang/Viet Nam, 24 October 2019 – The 8th Meeting of the Signatories (MOS8) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia (IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU) concluded today after four days of intense deliberations.
The 8th Meeting of the Advisory Committee, which met the week before, prepared advice regarding priorities and the future direction of the MOU. The Department of Fisheries (D-Fish), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of the Government of Viet Nam, hosted both meetings.
Amongst the highlights of the meeting was the inclusion of Con Dao National Park, Viet Nam, into the IOSEA Network of Sites of Importance (more information here).
Other subjects discussed at both meetings included the priorities and capacity-building needs identified by Signatories, guidelines for the review of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) of developments impacting on sea turtles and turtle habitat, illegal take and trade of marine turtles, opportunities for collaboration with CMS and other international organizations, and guidance on beach management and hatcheries. Recommendations for follow-up by Signatory States, the Advisory Committee and the Secretariat were included in a Work Programme for the years 2020-2024.
Representatives of 25 Signatory States and two non-Signatory Range States, as well as several Advisory Committee Members and many observers attended the meeting.
The report of MOS8 and the Work Programme will become available soon on the MOS8 webpage.
