PAST AND ON-GOING SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN CAMBODIA

Abstract

Conservation and protection of threatened wildlife species, including marine turtles, are the responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Cambodia has signed several international and regional conventions and MoUs concerning the protection of sea turtles and their habitats. Conservation of natural resources in Cambodia has been strongly hampered by civil war and lack of funding and understanding among authorities and Cambodian people. However, in recent years the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and MAFF have collaborated with many NGOs and international organisations to implement several activities related to conservation of marine natural resources. Currently the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) is a high priority of the government of Cambodia. With funding from WWF-Indochina and IUCN, staff from DoF has conducted some surveys of the status of sea turtles in Cambodia and also, a training-workshop has been held in Sihanoukville. In September 2002 the first Cambodian sea turtle, a female green turtle, was equipped with a Platform Transmitter Terminal, and its movements in the Gulf of Thailand was followed. Since September 2002, ten sea turtles have been tagged with traditional tags. Also, a survey interviewing old fishermen about sea turtle nesting grounds in the past and present, and about by-catch of sea turtles, has been conducted. However, there is still an urgent need to conduct research in Cambodia to identify current nesting sites and population sizes. Future plans include a public awareness program, capacity building, research, implementation and enforcement of management measures for conservation and protection of sea turtles. For this Cambodia will need to form partnerships with NGOs and foreign donors.