In order to take concerted efforts for conservation of marine turtles, the Northern Indian Ocean Marine Turtle Task Force (NIO-MTTF), established by the CMS IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU, held its second meeting hosted by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka in Colombo from 29-30 January.
The meeting was supported by Engro Foundation which is working closely with WWF Pakistan to promote environmental conservation amongst coastal communities and is keen on launching a project on wildlife management in 2018. Pakistan plays an extremely important role in the well-being of the Green Turtle which nests along the coastline of Pakistan but then disappear the remaining of the year. Likewise many Olive Ridley turtles are caught in nets in Pakistani water but never go near a beach to nest.
To fill this knowledge gap Engro and WWF-Pakistan will launch turtle habitat management program and will tag 1000 turtles (flipper tags) and satellite track a further 10 turtles and upload their locations real-time wherever they go. Engro Foundation launched its program with WWF-Pakistan in August 2016 which targets three (3) union councils in Karachi, Pakistan and is partnering with the fisher groups, fisheries departments and private sector to support and promote improved fisheries management in Rehri, Ebhrahim Hyderi and Kakapir by reforming governance and management to combat illegal fishing and reduce pressure on marine ecosystems through increased awareness.-PR