MTN 83:14-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Marine Turtle Newsletter-Online

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Turtle Fieldwork on the Net

For those who work with schools, a programme that might be of interest is now on the Internet. In conjunction with the Earthwatch Institute and the Scholastic Network, biologists working on leatherback turtles in Playa Grande, Costa Rica from the Department of Biology, Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, USA, have recently started a programme of on-line chat with school children. The initiative will create a virtual expedition for students who would like to watch the daily and weekly progress of the experiments and communicate with the postdoctoral, postgraduate and undergraduate scientists working on the beaches. They will be able to observe the research team and see the progress they are making with data collection. For a free trial access to the scholastic network and to sign up for this Internet Discovery Program call +1-800-296-1876 in the USA, E-mail: Meg Warren at <mwarren@earthwatch.org> or sign up at: <http://www.scholasticnetwork.com/turtles/tguide.htm/>

British Chelonia Group Makes 1999 the 'Year of the Sea Turtle'

The British Chelonia Group (BCG) is a registered charity dedicated to the care and conservation of Chelonia world-wide. Throughout its twenty one year history it has launched a number of annual conservation appeals to help many projects striving to safeguard terrestrial, freshwater and marine Chelonia around the world. This year has been declared the BCG's 'Year of the Sea Turtle' and a campaign is being mounted to raise monies for marine turtle projects. The aim will be to allocate the monies collected to projects that fall under the headings of: Research, Protection and Education. Grants are unlikely to exceed £500 ($800). Proposals of projects worthy of funding are invited to be submitted by 1st April 1999. They should be addressed to: The British Chelonia Group, c/o Bob Langton, 13 Springfield Road, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 3JY, UK. Fax: + 44 1395 270720.

MTN-Online Seeks Volunteers

Part of the long-term goal of the MTN/NTM is to have all issues available on the World Wide Web (WWW). Unfortunately not all issues are available in electronic format. Therefore, the MTN-Online is seeking volunteers to help convert back-issues of the Marine Turtle Newsletter and Noticiero de Tortugas Marinas into electronic format. Prospective volunteers should be able to either scan or type individual issues. Scanned text should be processed with OCR (optical character recognition) software and proofed and all issues submitted in either Word or WordPerfect format. Old issues of the MTN and NTM can be mailed to volunteers who do not have access to hardcopies.

We are also looking for individuals with Adobe PageMaker or HTML experience to help convert electronic issues into PDFs and for use on the WWW. An issue in Microsoft Word format can be provided to each volunteer along with a "recipe" and WWW templates for conversion to HTML. Issues converted to PageMaker format should match the original layout of that issue.

Please contact the MTN-Online Coordinator Michael Coyne (E-mail: mtn@seaturtle.org) if you are interested in volunteering.

NTM En Línea Now Active
<https://seaturtle.org/ntm/>

The Spanish version of the Marine Turtle Newsletter, Noticiero de Tortugas Marinas, is now available online. This initiative offers each new issue of the NTM as pages that users can browse or print on the World-Wild Web (WWW). In addition, complete electronic copies of recent issues are available in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF). The PDF files can be downloaded and viewed, searched and printed on your local computer. If printed to a laser-quality printer, readers can expect the same quality as the version normally received in the mail.

We hope that this effort will allow widespread distribution of this most important sea turtle resource in Spanish and that subscribers who have convenient access to the Internet will consider unsubscribing from the hardcopy version. Doing so will help the non-profit MTN/NTM remain a free service. Please make the effort and try it out.

Second Meeting of the Joint Technical Working Group, Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area

On 31st May 1996 the Governments of Malaysia and Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement, establishing the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA), the first ever trans-boundary marine turtle conservation area. This bilateral initiative is formally structured with a ten-member Joint Management Committee (JMC), which is advised by an eight-member Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG). Over the past two years, representatives of both governments, NGOs and academia have met both formally and informally to advance plans for joint management of this unique model for international cooperation of shared marine resources.

Between 12th and 14th October 1998 the JTWG met in Sandakan, Sabah (North Borneo), Malaysia. The second time that this group has convened, advances were made on several fronts, notably the Joint Management Plan, which contains a prioritized listing of management tasks for both countries, including responsibilities shared by both Parties. These tasks are grouped under six general topics, namely: surveillance and enforcement; research and monitoring; education and awareness; capacity building; shared database and collaboration and networking. Details of joint research activities were also discussed. The results of this meeting will be presented to the JMC for approval and will then be used as a fund raising document, as well as to guide future research and management actions.

Further information on the TIHPA can be obtained from:

Director, Sabah Parks
P. O. Box 10626
Post Code 88806
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia

Fax: + 60 88 221 001
E-mail: basintal@tm.net.my

Director
Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau
Quezon Avenue
Quezon City
1101 Philippines

Fax: + 63 2 924 0109
E-mail: pawb-plan@gaia.psdn.org.ph

Harry Jalanka Memorial Medal Award Won by Turtle Veterinarian

Harry Jalanka DVM, PhD (1951-1993) worked as a veterinarian in the Helsinki Zoo. He was also a professor of wildlife medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Helsinki. In his work, Dr. Jalanka always aimed at improving and maintaining the welfare of animals. He developed excellent new methods for the handling, sedation and anaesthesia of zoo and wild animals. He treated diseased animals with extreme skill and patience. To commemorate Dr. Jalanka, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Helsinki Zoo and Orion-Farmos Pharmaceuticals have struck a medal. The medal, with a conjoining award, is given annually to a young scientist in recognition of a distinguished achievement in zoo and wildlife medicine or in promoting the health and welfare of wild animals and his/her contribution to the field with new techniques or methods to improve animal health. Dr. Alonso Aguirre was selected as the second recipient of this international award for his outstanding achievements in wildlife management and conservation medicine undertaken whilst working with US National Marine Fisheries Service, Hawaii. The award was announced during the meeting of The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, Omaha, Nebraska, October 1998. The selection committee felt that Dr. Aguirre's accomplishments and current endeavours exemplify the type of accomplishments that Dr. Jalanka strove for in his efforts to expand the field of zoo and wildlife medicine.

Regional Training Workshop, Turtle Islands, Philippines

The National Marine Turtle Program of the Philippines - now known as The Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP) - was established by Executive Order in 1979. It is part of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Over the past two decades, the responsibilities and impacts of the PCP have grown from provincial and national to regional and international.

From August 15th to September 1st, 1996, staff of PCP conducted an orientation-training program on marine wildlife conservation and marine ecology, with a special focus on marine turtles. The participants included six Vietnamese (the director and three rangers from Con Dao National Park; a university lecturer; and a Field officer from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)) and one Indonesian (WWF).

The two-week training program, funded by WWF Indo-China, was conducted on Baguan Island Marine Turtle Sanctuary, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines (The Turtle Islands, shared by Philippines and Sabah, Malaysia, are the most important nesting ground for green turtles left in the ASEAN Region, and Baguan is the largest of the nine islands). The main topics included: marine turtle biology and conservation measures; dugong biology and conservation measures; cetacean species identification, rescue and rehabilitation procedures; marine ecosystems (corals, sea grasses and mangroves); survey techniques; marine wildlife conservation strategies - especially criteria for the selection of marine protected areas and considerations for the development of marine protected areas and management plans.

An important part of the program was hands-on training, particularly: tagging marine turtles; monitoring and interpreting nesting activity; collecting, handling and transplanting eggs to hatcheries; release of hatchlings from hatcheries; and evaluation of hatching success. Simple procedures for the collection and preservation of tissue samples for genetic studies were also taught. After their SCUBA training, the trainees took part in surveys of coral and sea grass communities.

For more information contact:

Pawikan Conservation Project
Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau
DENR
Quezon Avenue
Quezon City
1101 Philippines

Fax: + 632 924 0109
E-mail: Pawbwild@psdn.org.ph

Director
Con Dao National Park
430 Truong Cong Dinh St.
Vung Tau City
Con Dao District
Vietnam

Tel: + 64 830 166
Telefax: + 64 830 792
Fax: + 64 830 150

Campaign to Ban the Harvest of Sargassum - A Vital Habitat for Hatchling Sea Turtles

Sargassum seaweed is an essential component of the open-ocean ecosystem. It is particularly important to the survival of hatchling and post-hatchling sea turtles, which are known to spend the first year or more of their lives drifting in the sargassum rafts. Sargassum also supports a diverse community of marine life.

In the last few years, commercial fishermen operating along the east coast of the United States of America have begun to harvest sargassum for use as an additive to livestock feed. Until recently, there have been no regulations on the harvest of this important marine resource despite ample evidence documenting the role it plays in the survival of countless marine organisms. The decision regarding the future of the harvest of sargassum off the Atlantic coast of the United States is to be made by the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC). The Council was due to meet on December 3 and 4, 1998 to vote on the proposed regulation (this was after this issue of the MTN went to press but a report will appear in the next MTN). The Sea Turtle Survival League of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC), has been lobbying for a moratorium on Sargassum harvest through a awareness and letter writing campaign, encouraging organisations and members of the public to write, fax or sign on an e-mail letter available on the web-site of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation at: <http://cccturtle.org/act-now/sargassum.htm>.

For more information on this issue please contact Dan Evans, Co-ordinator of the Sea Turtle Survival League, Caribbean Conservation Corporation, 4424 NW 13^th St, Ste A-1, Gainesville, Fl 32609, USA.
Tel: +1 352 373 6441
E-mail: stsl@cccturtle.org.

Assessing the Status of Ascension Island Green Turtles

The marine turtle population breeding at Ascension Island (7°57'S, 14°22'W) is one of the largest in the Atlantic, with turtles migrating from distant feeding grounds along the South American coast to nest on the island's 32 beaches. Despite the international importance of this nesting colony, there has been no assessment of the size and status of the Ascension Island green turtle population since Jeanne Mortimer conducted a comprehensive survey in 1977/1978.

It was recently announced that a detailed survey would be undertaken throughout the next two seasons (1998/1999 and 1999/2000). This study will be undertaken by local turtle wardens working with British scientists from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea (Annette Broderick, Brendan Godley and Graeme Hays). This initiative is to be supported by the British Government's Darwin Initiative for the Survival of the Species, in conjunction with the Ascension Island Administrator's Office. The Darwin Initiative seeks to assist in safeguarding the world's biodiversity by drawing on British strengths to help countries lacking in sufficient resources. The Initiative was announced at the Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992.

The main objectives of the project are fourfold:

To estimate the current size of the Ascension Island green turtle population.
To quantify the reproductive output by individuals.
To assess the current sex ratio of hatchlings produced on the Island.
To ascertain the foraging grounds for the population using satellite telemetry.

For further information contact: Annette Broderick/Brendan Godley, Marine Turtle Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, UK, SA2 8PP (E-mail: MTN@swan.ac.uk).

Sea Turtle Biologues Now Available

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has recently added sea turtles to its biologue series. This is a two page document covering the biology, status and threats faced by the six species found in US waters. It includes illustrations and a mini profile of five of the species. Copies may be obtained by calling the USFWS Publication Unit on (+1) 304 876 7203 or, in the near future, the document will be able to be downloaded from the Internet: <http://www.fws.gov/r9extaff/biologues/wildspp.html>.

Marine Turtle Conservation and Management in Northern Australia

A two day workshop on marine turtle conservation and management was held at the Northern Territory University, Darwin, in June 1997. About 40 indigenous and non-indigenous turtle researchers, managers and custodians from a diverse array of government, non-government, university and indigenous organisations gathered to talk turtle, share information, make contacts and explore ways to promote cooperation in sea turtle conservation issues and activities. Papers included indigenous perspectives on management and harvest, population biology and tagging programmes, aerial survey, heavy metal accumulation, fisheries bycatch and the use of remote sensing. Proceedings have been published in "Marine Turtle Conservation and Management in Northern Australia" (1998) Eds. R. Kennett, A. Webb, G. Duff, M. Guinea and G. Hill, by the Centre for Indigenous Natural and Cultural Resource Management and Centre for Tropical Wetlands Management, Northern Territory University, Darwin. Copies of the book are for sale. Price: AU$25 for overseas buyers and AU$20 for Australian buyers. Please contact: Book Sales, Centre for Indigenous Natural and Cultural Resource Management, Northern Territory University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia 0990.
Tel: +61 8946 7756; Fax: +61 8 89467755;
E-mail: cincrm@ntu.edu.au

Campaign to Save X'cacel

The pending sale of X'cacel, Quintana Roo, Mexico, one of the most important green and loggerhead nesting beach in the country, was announced in February 1998. The site consists of two sandy inlets totalling a little over a mile in length. After an international outcry the Quintana Roo State Governor created a "reserve" from the 60 metre isobath to 100 metres up the beach. This does not satisfy the concerns of many. Greenpeace recently filed a lawsuit at the General Attorney's Office of Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) against one of the buyers, Sol Melia, a Spanish hotel chain. During the building of fences and paths Sol Melia destroyed species protected by Mexican law. Fences were built inside the "reserve". Photos of this can be found at <http://www.student.wau.nl/~jellef/herpdigest/hdindex.html>. Several international groups have joined the campaign including Friends of the Earth, Netherlands and Global Response. The Audubon Society is writing a letter to the Mexican Government concerning X'cacel and other NGOs are welcome to sign the letter also. People/organisations are being encouraged to write letters to the president of Mexico, Sol Melia, and American and Continental Airlines, who have taken Sol Melia as a travel partner in their frequent flyer programs. More details and information can be obtained at <http://www.turtledisaster.org/> or from Mary Louise Whitlow, 3224 Bryn Mawr, Dallas, TX 75225-7645m, USA. E-mail: marylouisew@msn.com