Indian Ocean – South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (IOSEA)

Overview | Meetings | Background | More Information

Overview
The Indian Ocean – South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a non-binding intergovernmental agreement that aims to protect, conserve, and recover marine turtles and their habitats in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region. The agreement falls under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species  of Wild Animals (Article IV, para. 4). The following marine turtles are protected under IOSEA:

• green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
• loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
• olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
• leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• flatback turtle (Natator depressus)

As of November 08, 2005, signatories to this agreement include; Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Comoros, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, and Vietnam.

Objectives of the IOSEA will be achieved through the collective implementation of an associated Conservation and Management Plan to be applied to the waters and coastal States of the Indian Ocean and South East Asia and adjacent seas.

Meetings of the Signatory States

• In March 2006, the Fourth Meeting of the Signatory States  was held in Muscat, Oman.
• In March 2005, the Third Meeting of the Signatory States  was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
• In March 2004, the Second Meeting of the Signatory States  was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
• In January 2003, the First Meeting of the Signatory States  was held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Background
The conservation of marine turtles is of the utmost importance not only based on their intrinsic value, but also based on their status as a keystone species on which we prioritize conservation efforts. The protection of marine turtle habitat provides protection for many other marine species as well. Unfortunately, in the context of sustainable development, the conservation and management of marine turtles is challenging. Many communities throughout the world continue to use turtle meat and eggs as a source of protein and the turtle shells for traditional crafts. To address these region-specific issues, the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU effort was launched.

The Memorandum of Understanding and associated Conservation and Management Plan were developed under a series of intergovernmental negotiation sessions held in Perth, Australia (October 1999), Kuantan, Malaysia (July 2000) and Manila, Philippines (June 2001). The MoU came into effect on September 1, 2001 and will remain open for signature indefinitely. The Signatory States held their first meeting in January 2003 and established a Regional Secretariat in April 2003. The IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat is located at the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand and operates under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention). The CMS aims to conserve migratory species throughout their entire ranges. This convention and its subsidiary agreements are administered by UNEP.

The IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU implements a framework through which regional States and other concerned States can share the responsibility of protecting, conserving, and recovering depleted marine turtle populations. The Agreement Area covers 44 Range States that is then divided into four sub-regions: South-East Asia and Australia, Northern Indian Ocean, Northwest Indian Ocean and West Indian Ocean. The Conservation and Management Plan focuses on reducing threats, conserving critical habitat, exchanging scientific data, increasing public awareness and participation, promoting regional cooperation and seeking resources for implementation. Due to many other pressing development issues in the region, some countries lack the resources for successful implementation of the MoU. Therefore through the MoU, these countries are offered support and capacity-building assistance. Success of any MoU activity is based on the active participation by a wide range of actors including all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and civil society.

More Information
Text of IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU 

For updated information on activity related to IOSEA, visit the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Website. 

For more information on issues related to sea turtles, please see the Office of Protected Resources Marine Turtle website.