Plan targets turtle population decline

Fiji is bolstering its initiatives to safeguard sea turtle populations, which are increasingly imperiled by a range of threats. A recent workshop in Suva brought together government officials, conservation organizations, and stakeholders to meticulously review the nation's Draft Sea Turtle Monitoring Protocol and Draft Sea Turtle Priority Maps.

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sea turtles are vital to Fiji’s marine ecosystems. She said they also hold strong cultural value for many communities.

The workshop's primary objective was to enhance the methods for monitoring sea turtles and collecting crucial data. Acting Director of Fisheries, Nanise Kuridrani, emphasized the vital role sea turtles play in Fiji's marine ecosystems and their significant cultural importance. She highlighted their contribution to maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, supporting marine biodiversity, and bolstering tourism and fisheries.

Despite these ecological and cultural benefits, Kuridrani noted that sea turtle populations are under considerable pressure. The primary threats identified include illegal harvesting, accidental capture in fisheries (bycatch), loss of habitat, and the pervasive impacts of climate change. She stressed that addressing these multifaceted challenges necessitates a collaborative approach involving government agencies, local communities, conservation groups, and regional partners.

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turtle populations remain under pressure. Threats include illegal harvesting, fisheries bycatch, habitat loss and the impacts of climate change.

The Ministry of Fisheries is currently refining the draft monitoring protocol, standard operating procedures, and priority maps. This effort aims to improve the quality and consistency of conservation data nationwide, strengthen national reporting systems, and provide essential scientific data to inform future conservation policies and management decisions. This critical initiative is a joint effort between the Ministry of Fisheries and the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pacific, combining technical expertise with invaluable community knowledge for the long-term protection of these marine creatures.

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no single organisation can address these challenges alone. She stressed the need for cooperation between government agencies, communities, conservation groups and regional partners.