The Secretariat of the IOSEA-MoU & Marine Research Centre concluded a workshop to set up a Marine Turtle Task Force for the Northern Indian Ocean subregion of IOSEA-MoU framework. The workshop which took place from 11-12 October 2015, at Malé was attended by National Focal Points of signatory states; Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives with non-governmental organizations. The workshop reviewed threats to marine turtles and their habitats in the subregion, subsequently identifying a range of priority actions for the Task Force. These include actions to address direct take of marine turtles and their eggs, bycatch in fisheries, ghost gear issues, impacts from coastal development, ecotourism best practice guidelines and climate change impacts. The Task Force was established and the TOR for the Task Force was agreed at the workshop. Dakshin Foundation, an NGO from India and National Focal Point from the Government of the Maldives were elected as chairs and vice-chairs of the Task Force respectively. The workshop was sponsored by Humane Society International, UNDP-Low Emission Climate Resilient Development and UNDP- Mangroves for the Future – Maldives and the Maldives Seafood Processors and Exporters Association.

The Task Force will serve to improve dynamism and coordination within the subregion and is committed to address both country-specific and broader regional issues within Northern Indian Ocean subregion. 

The workshop concluded with a statement issued by the country delegates and represenatives from NGOs and scientific institutions, acknowleding the threats to marine turtles in the subregion, reconfirming their commitment to protect marine turtles and agreeing to implement the joint work programme of the Task Force. To view the full statement, please visit the link below:

http://mrc.gov.mv/publication/74

As part of the workshop program, a reception dinner was hosted by Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture on 11^th to welcome the participants to the Maldives at Hotel Jen, Malé. During the reception dinner, a fundraising activity was also held to support marine conservation efforts in the Maldives. The business community was invited to support the conservation of marine turtles and other marine fauna. A total of USD 182,985.08 was raised. The funds would be utilized to support the marine conservation efforts of Marine Research Centre specifically in the following areas:

• Supporting nationwide campaigns on addressing threats to marine turtles particularly the direct take of marine turtles and their eggs
• Involvement of NGOs in outreach programs on threats to marine turtles, sharks and on sustainable utilization of our fish stocks
• Engagement of local communities in marine turtle conservation work particularly in the monitoring of nesting occurrences from at least five islands identified as significant nesting sites for marine turtles
• Inclusion of two sites identified as the most significant sites for marine turtles in terms of nesting and foraging in the “IOSEA Network of Sites of Importance for Marine Turtles”
• Strengthen monitoring programs to understand the population trends for threatened species such as turtles, sharks, groupers and other important reef fish species as well as on coral reef conservation
• For sustainable utilization of marine resources in the fisheries and advocating best practices in fisheries 

The generous donors were:

• HPL Group Maldives (Bandos Island Resort, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma, Gili Lankanfushi, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Cocoa Island by COMO, Maalifushi by COMO and Six Senses Laamu),
• ADK Group of Companies,
• Malé Water and Sewerage Company,
• Dhivehi Raajeyge Gulhun PLC,
• Ooredoo Maldives Pvt. Ltd.,
• State Electric Company Ltd.,
• State Trading Organisation PLC,
• Orchid Holdings Pvt.Ltd.,
• Alia Investments Pvt.Ltd.,
• Allied Insurances Company of Maldives Pvt.Ltd.,
• Bank of Maldives PLC.,
• Ensis Fisheries Pvt.Ltd.,
• Hotels and Resorts Construction Pvt.Ltd.,
• Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Pvt.Ltd,
• Maldives Transport and Construction Company Public Ltd.,
• Cyprea Marine Foods Pvt.Ltd
• Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Shainee

To view the press release by Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture , please visit the links below: 

Report

http://mrc.gov.mv/publication/75

http://www.fishagri.gov.mv/index.php/dv/news-events-dv/press-release-dv/508-191015