SEAFDEC/MFRDMD 1

The Seventeenth Meeting of Fisheries Consultative Group of

the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (FCG/ASSP)

Sunee Grand Hotel & Convention Center, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

4-5 December 2014

WP06.5a

REGIONAL PLAN OF ACTION OF SEA TURTLE FORAGING HABITATS IN

SOUTH EAST ASIAN WATERS

Executive Summary

The Regional Plan of Action of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats in South East Asian Waters had

been developed through a series of meetings, participatory and consultative process involving fishery,

national park and sea turtle experts from the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member Countries organized by the

Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department (MFRDMD). The Regional

Plan of Action was finalized and adopted by experts from participating ASEAN Member States

(Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and

Vietnam) at the Regional Meeting on Conservation and Management of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats

in Southeast Asian Waters held on 22nd

-24th October 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Plan of Action outlines the possible future actions in the ASEAN region in conservation of

sea turtle populations. There are nine countries in the Southeast Asian region, namely Brunei

Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia Myanmar Singapore, the Philippines Thailand and

Vietnam who confirmed that sea turtle landed and nested on their beaches. Most of these countries

have small areas of foraging habitats. Thus it is imperative that the Regional Plan of Action needs to

be implemented in all countries to ensure the survivals of sea turtle populations. We hope that all

countries will implement the Regional Plan of Action based on their expertise and capability. This

Regional Plan of Action will complement the existing National Plan of Action that has been

established in some countries in the region.

There are six objectives of the Regional Plan of Action. Each country is welcome to set their

deadline based on their capabilities. The objectives are: i) To Protect and Conserve Sea Turtle

Foraging Habitats; ii) To Reduce Direct and Indirect Cause of Sea Turtle Mortality in Foraging

Habitats; iii) To Strengthen Research and Monitoring in Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats; iv) To Increase

Community Participation through Information Dissemination and Education;

v) To Strengthen Integrated Management of Sea Turtles; and vi) Secure Funding for Sea Turtle

Conservation. Several programs and actions had been proposed in order to achieve the objectives.

These programs and actions were prepared as guidelines for each country in the region to carry out

according to their own capability. The outputs and indicators of each activity were also proposed in

the Regional Plan of Action to evaluate the achievements.

Required Consideration by the 17th

FCG/ASSP

The 17th FCG/ASSP Meeting is requested to endorse the Regional Plan of Action of Sea Turtle

Foraging Habitats in South East Asian Waters and recognize it as a regional plan of action.

REGIONAL PLAN OF ACTION OF SEA TURTLE FORAGING HABITATS INSOUTHEAST ASIAN WATERS

OBJECTIVE 1: PROTECT AND CONSERVE SEA TURTLE FOMGING HABITATS

a) ldentify and determine thestatus of sea turtle foraginghabitats.

b) Designate, declare/gazetteand manage protected/conservation areas offoraging habitats and othersea turtle critical habitatsthrough legal and practicalmeans.

c) Develop incentives andpromote usage of turtle-friendly fishing gears andmethods amongst localcommunities and fisheriessector.

0 ldentify and manageanthropogenic impacts at seaturUe foraging habitats.

e) ldentify and establish bestpractice waste disposalprogrammes to reduceimoact of marine debris atsea turtle foraging habitats.

0 lncorporate sea turtleconservation issues withinnational integrated coastalzone management or otherequivalent managementsystems.

g) Ensure tourism guidelinesinclude sea turtleconservation issues in theireco{ourism activities.

a) Organize regular clean-upexercises at foraging habitats.

b) Enhance recovery of degradedforaging habitats by closingthe areas to human activities.

a) Database of status of seaturtle foraging habitat.

b) Increase protection of seaturtle foraging habitats.

Increase usage of turtle-friendly fishing gears andmethods.

d) Dialog sessions

Best practice waste disposalprogrammes adopted.

lmproved conservationmeasures for sea turtles.

Sea turtle conservation issuesare included in ecotourismactivities -Pre and postassessmen$.

Clean sea turtle foraginghabitats.

a) Sea turtle foraging habitatsare identified within 5 years.

b) Most FB0Yo) of the majorsea turtle foraging habitatsare protected by legislation,

c) Significant reduction by atleast 50o/o within 5 vears

Significant reduction ofanthropogenic impacts at seaturtle foraging habitats.(Benchmark percentage willdepend on each counfy)

Significant reduction ofmarine debris at sea turtleforaging habitats. timeframe5 years

National integrated coastalzone management or otherequivalent managementsystem includes sea turtlesconservation issues in olace.

g) Increased awareness(> B0o/o) of sea tuftleconservation in the eco-tourism industry.

a) At least twice per year.

e)

a)

b) lmproved sea turtle foraging b) Significant reduction ofhabitats. anthropogenic impacts on

sea turtle foraging habitats.

OBJECTIVE 2: REDUCEDIRECT AND INDIRECT CAUSES OF SEA TURTLE MORTALITYFORAGING HABITATS

IN

Programs ' Adiqr+s

a) Document and collateexisting anecdotal andempirical data on nature andmagnitude of threats to seaturtle populations includingpoaching.

a) Develop research andtechnologies to reduceimpacts of coastal gillnetsand other fishing gears (e.9.sonic pinger).

b) .Strengthen implementationof existing legislation whichprohibits direct harvest anddomestic trade of meat, partsand products of all species ofSCA tUftICS,

c) Enact and enforce legislationrequiring the use of seaturtle-friendly fishing gearsand methods.

d) .Regulate, and whereappropriate eliminate, fishingpractices at major foraginghabitats.

e) Observer programme onfishing vessels (if possible)should also include recor-ding of sea turtle by-catch

f) Strengthencooperationamong regional membercountries to combat poacningof sea turtles.

g) Establish regularstakeholder consultationsprior to development andmodification of areas nearsea turtle foraging habitats.

h) Eliminate harvest ofsea turtles by coastalcommunities in foraginghabitats through awarenesspr0gramme.

OutPuts _

a) Documentation of threatsto sea turtle populations inforaging grounds.

ln(ficdrtors

a) Annual update of thedocuments.

Turtle friendly fishing gearsdeveloped

lmproved implementation ofexisting legislation.

Relevant legislations areenacted.

Regulated/minimized fishingactivities at major foraginghabitats.

Database on sea turtle by-catch on fishing vessels.

Establish networki ng andmutual agreements on seaturtle poaching.- Compilailon of knownpoaching activities and legal

Consensus amongstakeholders ondevelopments andmodifications.

Awareness programmes inplace.

The technology will bepracticed if found effective.

Significant reduction in directharvest and domestic trade ofmeat, parts and products ofall species of sea turtles.

Significant increase in usageof sea turtle-friendly fishinggears and methods.

Significant reduction in seaturtle mortality.

Annual updates on records ofsea turtle by-catch on fishingvessels

Significant reduction in seaturtle poaching.

Rational developments andmodifications.

Significant reduction in seaturtle harvest.

n\

Programs Actions

Adopt and adapt thebest conservation andmanagement practices forsea turtle populations.

Monitor and regulateincidents of illegal trade ofsea turtles and their products.

Outputs

Best conservation andmanagement practices forsea turtle populations areadopted.

Database on illegal trades ofsea turtles and their products.

Indicators

Increased population of seatunles.

Availability of recordsreflecting the true volume ofillegal trade on sea turtlesand their products.

Established rescue andrehabilitation facilities.

Minimum of one network percountry.

lmproved collaboration andinformation exchange.

At least two trainings per yearper c0unlry.

e) At least two trainings per yearper counlry,

a) Incorporate sea turtlerescue and rehabilitationactivities into existing wildlifemanagement, governmentagency and educational/research facilities.

b) Promote establishment of seatufrle stranding network.

c) Promote collaborationand information exchangeamong regional and nationalagencies and institutionsduring emergency or disastersituations (e.9. oil spill, turtleinjuries)

d) 0rganize specialized trainingin sea tudle rescue andrehabilitation procedures justafter network

e) 0rganize training forfishermen and enforcementpersonnel in the use of seaturtle-friendly fishing gearsand relevant laws.

lmproved sea turtle rescueand rehabilitation activities.

b) Sea turtle stranding network.

c) Established collaboration andupdated information.- alert system throughwebsite IOSEA-M0U

Established rapid responseteam.

e) Knowledgeablefishermenand enforcement oersonnel.

- : . { i3. *.... t. , 3- ' , , - . i

I. ..,*

OBJECTIVE 3: STRENGTHEN RESEARCH AND MONITORING lN FORAGING HABITATS

a) Compile, collate and documentresearch information on seaturtles and their foraginghabitats.

Assess current projects andmethodology and continue/expand successful research.

Expand present surveys onmajor sea turtle populationsand their foraging habitatsbased on the IUCN MarineTurlle Specialist Groupstandard methods.Prioritise major foragingsites in each country anddetermine their research andmanagement needs.

Initiate long-term researchand monitoring activities atkey foraging habitats by eachc0untry.Utilise genetic analysis toidentify mixed stock of seaturtle populations in foraginghabitats.Continue studies on sea turtlepopulation dynamics (growthrate, sex ratio, population size,survival rates, etc.), diet andtheir migration patterns.

Mitigate the impacts of naturaland anthropogenic factorsto sea turtle survival in theirforaging habitats.

Determine the genetic originof sea turtles confiscated frompoaching incidents and by-catch in foraging habitats.

Analyse information ontagging, satellite tracking andforaging habitat using remotesensing and GIS systems.

a) Country reports highlightinguodated information,summarized data on foraginghabitats and the speciescomoosition within eachhabitat.

b) A threat-analysis documentleading to a prioritisationexercise and subsequentidentification of key habitatsand populations.

c) A shared database toaccommodate researchand monitoring informationin keeping with standardinternational orotocols.

A complete list of regionalmajor foraging sites and theresearch and managementactivities needed to be caniedout.lnclude in IOSEA-MOUdatabase site networkEstablishment ofcomprehensive scientif icinformation on key foraginghabitats.Mixed stock of sea turtlepopulations in foraginghabitats were identified

Comprehensive informationon the status of sea turtles'biology and populations andtheir migration patterns in keyforaging sites.

Mitigation measures toreduce sea turtle mortalitydue to natural impactsand anthropogenic factorsin foraging habitats areimplemented.The natal origin of sea turtlesconfiscated from poaching andby-catch in foraging habitatswere identified.

Determining the migrationpatterns or routes of seaturtles at key foraging habitatsin the region.

. One report by each country peryear.

o At least one document percountry on threats.

o One shared database.

. At least two research activitieswithin 5 years per country

. At least two research activitieswithin 5 years per country

. Complete report on mixed stockof sea turtle population in eachkey foraging habitats.

o One national report on seaturtle biology & populationand migration pattern in keyforaging sites of each country.

. Significant reduction

o Complete report on the natalorigin of sea turtles confiscatedfrom poaching and by-catch inkey foraging habitats from eachcountry.

o Shared information on taggingby using remote sensing andGIS systems.

s)

h)

Programs Actions

Intensify collaborativeresearch among governmentagencies, NG0s and otherrelated stakeholders within acountry.

Intensify efforts on regionalcollaborations towardsresearch and monitoringactivities of sea tuftles inforaging habitats.

Develop collaborative effortsto assess the impacts of by-catch of sea turtles throughfishing activities and ghostfishing (caught incidentally inghost net) .

Promote publication anddissemination of researchfindings.

Develop/utilize an updatedregional database on seaturtles and their foraginghabitats.

Develop a clearing housemechanism to disseminateinformation to relevantstakeholders within theSoutheast Asian countries.

Lltla

Outputs

a) Published documentations,

Increase awareness amongthe scientific communitiesthrough regular meetings andfora.

Strengthened the nationaland regional collaborationefforts on a by-catch throughfishing activities and ghostf ishing.

Published research f indingsand dissemination to membercountries.

a) Updated regional database. .a

Indicators

At least one document perc0unrry,

At least one meeting in theregion every two years.

One national report once peryearOne regional report every twoyears.

At least one report by eachcountry per yearOne regional scientific reportevery two years

One shared regional database-lOSEA-M0U database

b) A clearing house mechanism- IOSEA-MOU website

One regional clearing housemechanism.

€r

...i1+{ r.:' , . i

i

:- -J

OBJECTIVE 4: INCREASE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THAT MAY HAVE DIRECT IMPACT ONFO RAGING HABITATTH ROUGH I N FORMATION DISSEM INATION AN D EDUCATION.

a) Involve stakeholders inplanning and implementationof conservation andmanagement efforts.

b) Educate public on sea turtleconservation measures.

Incorporate local knowledgeand best applicable traditionalpractices into managementstrategies of sea turtles andtheir foraging habitats.

Evaluate and mitigate theimpacts of local villagers onsea turtle foraging habitats,including , coral reefs andseagrass beds.

Promote the best fishingpractices to minimizenegative impacts to sea turtlepopulations and their foraginghabitats.

Encourage immediate releaseof accidentally-caught seaturtles among fishermanthrough incentives schemes.

Encourage reporting oftag recovery informationby fisherman throughincentives schemes andsharing of such informationamongmanagement andresearch agencies and NGOs.

ldentify and promote suitablealternative livelihood for localcommunities engaging inactivities detrimental to seaturtles and their foraginghabitats.

Regular meetings amongstakeholders.One planned project /activityConsensus amongstakeholeders in formulatingmanagement measures.

Awareness campaigns andASSESSMCNIS

More comprehensive andimprove managementmeasures.

Sites assessments andmitigation measures.

Workshops and promotioncampaign.

Programs on release of seaturtles.

More information on originsof turtles coming to theforaging habitats.

. At least two stakeholdermeetings per year per country.

. 0ne project document.

Increased awareness by atleast 1 0% per year. _

More than 950/0 acceptance bystakeholders on managementmeasures.

One updated report per yearper country.

At least one workshop peryear per counrry.

r At least one program per year.. Significant reduction of

mortality in accidentally-caught sea turtles

o At least one report percountry implementing taggingpr0gram.

i)

i i)ii i)

Significant reduction onharmful activities.

e) Suitable alternative livelihood. r

OBJECTIVE 5: STRENGTHEN INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF SEA TURTLESAT FOMGINGHABITATS.

a) Strengthen regionalcollaboration for conservationand management of seaturtles at foraging habitats.

b) Promote the establishment ofsea turtle foraging habitats asmarine orotected areas.

a) lmproved conservation andmanagement of sea turtles atforaging habitats.

b) Sea turtle foraging habitatsgazetted as marine protectedareas.

o Guidelines on conservationand management of seaturtles at foraging habitats inplace.

o At least two foraging habitatcited in IOSEA site network.

o At least one sea turtle foraginghabitat gazetted as MPAwithin 5 years.

o At least one transboundarysea turtle foraging habitat,where appropriate, cited inIOSEA site network.

. The transboundary sea turtleforaging habitat, whereappropriate, declared asorotected area.

o Updated data or informationon incidental-catches of seaturtles in the region.

c) Encourage whereappropriate, the developmentof transboundary sea turtleforaging habitats as marineorotected areas.

d) Strengthen collaborationwith relevant agencies toobtain comprehensive dataon incidental-catches of seaturtles.

a) Review existing policiesand laws to addressgaps in conservation andmanagement of sea turtles attheir foraging habitats.

b) Strengthen enforcementon fishing activities that isdetrimental to sea turtles attheir foraging habitats.

c) Transboundary sea turtleforaging habitats gazetted asmarine protected areas.

d) lmproved data collection onincidental-catches of seaturtles in the region.

b)

Revised policies and lawsthat include conservation andmanagement of sea turtles altheir foraging habitats.

Reduction in non compliancewith existing fishingregulations.

. ldentified gaps are resolved.

Significant reduction of noncomoliance.

c) Harmonize nationalpolicies and regulationson conservation andmanagement of sea turtlesin accordance with nationallegislation and internationalagreementS.

d) Encourage prior informconsent among appropriateagencies in protecting seaturtle at their foraginghabitats.

Harmonized oolicies andregulations in accordancewith national legislation andinternational aoreements.

d) Increase transparency inimplementing activities onorotection of sea turtle attheir foraging habitats.

Harmonized policies andregulations in place.

Significant reduction ofconflicts among stakeholders

lmplement effectivemeasures to reduce poachingof sea turtles at their foraginghabitats.

Exchange and discussinformation on complianceand trade issues at rEularintervals, such as throughannual reporting and regionalmeeting.

Review, clarify and facilitatecompliance with obligationsunder relevant srgnedinternational agreements.

ldentified gaps inenforcement capabilities,and training of enforcementofficers.

Resolved issues related toillegal trade of sea turtles andby producb.

. Significant reduction ofpoaching activities in seaturtle at their foraging habitatswithin 5 years.

. Significant reduction of illegaltrade of sea turtles and byproducts.

e)

a) Obligations are complied toby countries.

. Greater efficiencyin conservation andmanagement of sea turtle intheir foraging habitats.

OBJECTIVE 6: SECURE FUNDING FOR SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

a) ldentify available fundingsources including govermenland inter- govermentalagencies, non profitorganizations, scientif icresearch grants and privatefoundations.

b) Develop capacity at nationallevel h prepare proposalswhich secure fundingfrom gwerment and inter-g0vermental programs andnon- goverment instifu tions.

c) Develop regional proposalsfor fund raising whichaddress multi- sectoral andintegrated conservationapproaches.

a) Database of funding sourcesare created.

o All known funding sources areidentified.

b) capacity to prepare proposals. Trained personnel to prepareproposals for funding.

c) Suitable proposals aresubmitted to UNEP-GEF andothers.

. Proposals are accepted andfund secured within 3 years.