Gamal A. Al-Harrani

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Gamal A. Al-Harrani
Republic of Yemen Ministry of Water and
Environment Environment Protection Authority
Sea Turtles in Yemen
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Sea turtles in Yemen Waters, Threats and
Conservation

• Sea turtles, everywhere, are considered as
  endangered species, due to the decrease in its
  population in the World Oceans.
• The estimated number of survivals hatchling to
  adulthood is found not exceed 1 in 1,000 eggs.
• The adult turtles are subjected to threats over
  nesting beaches, area of feeding and during their
  Longley migration .

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Map
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Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen Seas

• Green turtle
• (Chelonia mydas)
• The Green turtles are reported to nest in Ras
  Sharma- Jethmoon beaches, which are considered as
  mostly important nesting beaches remaining in the
  world, and on the Red Sea Beaches

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Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen Seas

• Hawksbill Sea turtle
• (Eretmochelys imbricata)
• Ras Immran (Aden) was reported as important
  nesting beach for Hawksbill turtles in the Gulf
  of Aden
• It nests also on Sharmah_Jathmoon Beaches
  together with Green turtles

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Sea turtles, occurrence in Yemen Seas

• Loggerhead sea turtle
• (Caretta caretta )
• Socotra is the nesting beach for Loggerhead,
  particularly in Ghubbat Abalhan to Ras Kadama.
• In addition, there was a number of nest in In
  Abdulkuri .
• Locals exploit meat and eggs of Loggerhead for
  human consumption, especially in Abdulkuri.

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Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen Seas

• Olive ridley
• (Lepidochelys olivacea )
• Some observers report it is occurrence at
  Sharmah-Jathmoon beach, however, it dose not
  confirmed.

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Sea turtles , in Yemen Seas

• Leatherback Sea turtle
• (Dermochelys coriacea)
• These turtles are not very common in Yemeni
  seas.
• Fishermen are reported to see them in the sea ,
  mainly, near Immran and In Socotra Archelapago .
• No data on their nest in Yemeni beaches

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Threats in Yemen

• Dogs the uncontrolled population of dogs in Ras-
  Sharmah- Jethmoon areas and their occurrence over
  the nesting site.
• Eggs poacher ( canine and human) in nesting
  beaches , in Ras Sharma ( Hadramout ) and
  Ghubbat Abalhan and Abdulkuri ( Socotra ).
• Capture of turtles for human consumption and for
  tortoise.
• Killing turtles in fishermen nets near the
  feeding and nesting sites.
• Beach recreation , artificial lighting and
  movement of people on nesting beaches specially
  by cars.

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Conservation Strategies

• Sea turtles conservation can not be succeed,
  unless it will be taken in all three dimensions
  they are-
• National efforts
• Regional efforts
• International efforts

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National efforts

• Capture of Sea turtles is forbidden by the law.
  In addition, there is an orientation to declare
  many nesting beaches and areas of feeding as
  marine protected areas.
• Conduct public awareness among the local
  communities and encourage Non Governmental
  Organizations (NGOs) in conservation of sea
  turtles and their nesting beaches and habitats.
• Declare a number of protected areas along the
  Yemeni coast in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
• Continue tagging programme in nesting beaches.
  

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Regional efforts

• Yemen is a member of (PERSGA),
• -Surveys been conducted by PERSGA,
• tagging in Sharmah-Jathmoon nest,
• -Regional training, on turtles survey method

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International efforts

• Sea turtles are protected by the Convention on
  trade of endangered species (CITES ).
• Sea turtles are included in Appendix! Of this
  agreement and receive protection from
  international trade. Yemen is part of CITES.
• Sea turtles enjoy a special importance in the
  documents and activities of IUCN.

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Immediate goals for protecting sea turtles

• Crack down on illegal international trade in
  sea turtles and their products by enforcing laws
  and agreements.
• Decrease the turtle deaths caused by commercial
  fishing through enforcement of Turtle Excluder
  Device (TED) and gill net regulations.
• Protect nesting beaches by establishing parks
  and refuges or through regulations combined with
  public education initiatives.
• Eliminate disturbances at nesting beaches by
  decreasing artificial lighting, halting beach
  armoring, regulating beach nourishment and
  limiting the impacts of people on the beach.

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• Enforce national and international laws to
  minimize the dumping of pollutants and solid
  waste into the ocean and near shore waters.
• Continue research and monitoring activities to
  conserve turtles population. Conservation efforts
  can be focused where they are most needed.
• Increase public awareness and community
  participation in sea turtle conservation through
  educational programs .

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Thank you