Gamal A. Al-HarraniGamal A. Al-Harrani

Sea Turtles in YemenSea Turtles in Yemen

Republic of Yemen

Ministry of Water and Environment

Environment Protection Authority

Sea turtles in Yemen Waters, Sea turtles in Yemen Waters, Threats and ConservationThreats and Conservation

Sea turtles, everywhere, are Sea turtles, everywhere, are considered as endangered considered as endangered species, due to the decrease species, due to the decrease in its population in the World in its population in the World Oceans.Oceans.

The estimated number of The estimated number of survivals hatchling to survivals hatchling to adulthood is found not exceed adulthood is found not exceed 1 in 1,000 eggs. 1 in 1,000 eggs.

The adult turtles are subjected The adult turtles are subjected to threats over nesting to threats over nesting beaches, area of feeding and beaches, area of feeding and during their Longley during their Longley migration .migration .

Map

Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen SeasSeas

Green turtleGreen turtle

((Chelonia mydas)Chelonia mydas) The Green turtles are The Green turtles are

reported to nest in Ras reported to nest in Ras Sharma- Jethmoon Sharma- Jethmoon beaches, which are beaches, which are considered as mostly considered as mostly important nesting beaches important nesting beaches remaining in the world, and remaining in the world, and on the Red Sea Beacheson the Red Sea Beaches

Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen SeasSeas

Hawksbill Sea turtleHawksbill Sea turtle

((Eretmochelys imbricata)Eretmochelys imbricata) Ras Immran (Aden) was Ras Immran (Aden) was

reported as important reported as important nesting beach for Hawksbill nesting beach for Hawksbill turtles in the Gulf of Adenturtles in the Gulf of Aden

It nests also on It nests also on Sharmah_Jathmoon Sharmah_Jathmoon Beaches together with Green Beaches together with Green turtlesturtles

Sea turtles, occurrence in Yemen Sea turtles, occurrence in Yemen SeasSeas

Loggerhead sea turtle Loggerhead sea turtle

((Caretta caretta )Caretta caretta ) Socotra is the nesting beach Socotra is the nesting beach

for Loggerhead, particularly in for Loggerhead, particularly in Ghubbat Abalhan to Ras Ghubbat Abalhan to Ras Kadama. Kadama.

In addition, there was a In addition, there was a number of nest in In number of nest in In Abdulkuri .Abdulkuri .

Locals exploit meat and eggs Locals exploit meat and eggs of Loggerhead for human of Loggerhead for human consumption, especially in consumption, especially in Abdulkuri.Abdulkuri.

Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen Sea turtles , occurrence in Yemen SeasSeas

Olive ridley Olive ridley

((LepidochelysLepidochelys olivaceaolivacea )) Some observers report Some observers report

it is occurrence at it is occurrence at Sharmah-Jathmoon Sharmah-Jathmoon beach, however, it beach, however, it dose not confirmed. dose not confirmed.

Sea turtles , in Yemen SeasSea turtles , in Yemen Seas

Leatherback Sea turtle Leatherback Sea turtle

((Dermochelys coriacea)Dermochelys coriacea) These turtles are not very common These turtles are not very common

in Yemeni seas.in Yemeni seas. Fishermen are reported to see them Fishermen are reported to see them

in the sea , mainly, near Immran and in the sea , mainly, near Immran and In Socotra Archelapago .In Socotra Archelapago .

No data on their nest in Yemeni No data on their nest in Yemeni beachesbeaches

Threats in YemenThreats in Yemen

Dogs; the uncontrolled population of dogs in Ras- Dogs; the uncontrolled population of dogs in Ras- Sharmah- Jethmoon areas and their occurrence over the Sharmah- Jethmoon areas and their occurrence over the nesting site.nesting site.

Eggs poacher ( canine and human) in nesting beaches , in Eggs poacher ( canine and human) in nesting beaches , in Ras – Sharma ( Hadramout ) and Ghubbat Abalhan and Ras – Sharma ( Hadramout ) and Ghubbat Abalhan and Abdulkuri ( Socotra ).Abdulkuri ( Socotra ).

Capture of turtles for human consumption and for tortoise.Capture of turtles for human consumption and for tortoise. Killing turtles in fishermen nets near the feeding and Killing turtles in fishermen nets near the feeding and

nesting sites.nesting sites. Beach recreation , artificial lighting and movement of Beach recreation , artificial lighting and movement of

people on nesting beaches specially by cars. people on nesting beaches specially by cars.

Conservation StrategiesConservation Strategies

Sea turtles conservation can not be Sea turtles conservation can not be succeed, unless it will be taken in all three succeed, unless it will be taken in all three dimensions; they are:- dimensions; they are:-

National effortsNational efforts Regional effortsRegional efforts International effortsInternational efforts

National effortsNational efforts

Capture of Sea turtles is forbidden by the law. In Capture of Sea turtles is forbidden by the law. In addition, there is an orientation to declare many addition, there is an orientation to declare many nesting beaches and areas of feeding as marine nesting beaches and areas of feeding as marine protected areas.protected areas.

Conduct public awareness among the local Conduct public awareness among the local communities and encourage Non Governmental communities and encourage Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in conservation of sea Organizations (NGOs) in conservation of sea turtles and their nesting beaches and habitats. turtles and their nesting beaches and habitats.

Declare a number of protected areas along the Declare a number of protected areas along the Yemeni coast in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.Yemeni coast in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Continue tagging programme in nesting beaches. Continue tagging programme in nesting beaches.

Regional effortsRegional efforts

Yemen is a member of (PERSGA), Yemen is a member of (PERSGA),

-Surveys been conducted by PERSGA, -Surveys been conducted by PERSGA,

tagging in Sharmah-Jathmoon nest, tagging in Sharmah-Jathmoon nest,

-Regional training, on turtles survey method -Regional training, on turtles survey method

International effortsInternational efforts

Sea turtles are protected by the “Convention Sea turtles are protected by the “Convention on trade of endangered species” (CITES ).on trade of endangered species” (CITES ).

Sea turtles are included in Appendix! Of this Sea turtles are included in Appendix! Of this agreement and receive protection from agreement and receive protection from international trade. Yemen is part of CITES.international trade. Yemen is part of CITES.

Sea turtles enjoy a special importance in the Sea turtles enjoy a special importance in the documents and activities of IUCN. documents and activities of IUCN.

Immediate goals for protecting Immediate goals for protecting sea turtlessea turtles

* Crack down on illegal international trade in sea turtles * Crack down on illegal international trade in sea turtles and their products by enforcing laws and agreements.and their products by enforcing laws and agreements.

* Decrease the turtle deaths caused by commercial fishing * Decrease the turtle deaths caused by commercial fishing through enforcement of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) and through enforcement of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) and gill net regulations.gill net regulations.

* Protect nesting beaches by establishing parks and * Protect nesting beaches by establishing parks and refuges or through regulations combined with public refuges or through regulations combined with public education initiatives. education initiatives.

* Eliminate disturbances at nesting beaches by decreasing * Eliminate disturbances at nesting beaches by decreasing artificial lighting, halting beach armoring, regulating beach artificial lighting, halting beach armoring, regulating beach nourishment and limiting the impacts of people on the nourishment and limiting the impacts of people on the beach. beach.

Enforce national and international laws to minimize the Enforce national and international laws to minimize the dumping of pollutants and solid waste into the ocean and dumping of pollutants and solid waste into the ocean and near shore waters. near shore waters.

Continue research and monitoring activities to conserve Continue research and monitoring activities to conserve turtles population. Conservation efforts can be focused turtles population. Conservation efforts can be focused where they are most needed.where they are most needed.

Increase public awareness and community participation in Increase public awareness and community participation in sea turtle conservation through educational programs . sea turtle conservation through educational programs .

Thank youThank you