WWF-Pakistan Stresses Need For National Commitment To Protect Turtles

On the occasion of World Turtle Day being observed on May 23, WWF-Pakistan has stressed the need for the conservation of marine and freshwater turtles of Pakistan which are facing several challenges including habitat degradation, entanglement in fishing gears, climate change, poaching and illegal trade

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd May, 2018 ) :On the occasion of World Turtle Day being observed on May 23, WWF-Pakistan has stressed the need for the conservation of marine and freshwater turtles of Pakistan which are facing several challenges including habitat degradation, entanglement in fishing gears, climate change, poaching and illegal trade.

In Pakistan 5 species of marine turtles are found; of these green turtle is most commonly occurring and nesting along Pakistan coast, says a press release issued here on Wednesday. World Turtle Day is celebrated globally since 2000 to draw attention towards enhancing knowledge and conservation efforts for turtles and tortoises around the world.

Since then international community celebrates this day with the aim to create awareness about these curious reptiles, which are surviving for more than 100 million years but most species are now facing the increasing threat of extinction.

Major threat being faced by marine turtles in Pakistan is fishing operations (high bycatch), pollution, habitat degradation and climate change which may wipe out precious marine life including majestic turtle species from Pakistan.

Green turtles nest on the sandy shore along Pakistan coast. Along Sindh Coast, Sandspit, Hawks Bay and Paradise Point are important nesting ground whereas along Balochistan coast important nesting beaches are Sonmiani, Taq (Ormara), Astola Island and Daran (Jiwani) where every year thousands of turtles come to lay their eggs.

Olive Ridley turtle was another species which used to nest on Pakistani beaches but no confirmed report of their nesting has been reported since last 14 years. WWF-Pakistan studies, however, revealed that interestingly this is most common species found in the offshore areas of Pakistan.

In order to resolve this mystery, WWF-Pakistan has planned to install satellite tags on these turtles in October 2018 to determine their migration and nesting ground. Other three species i.e. loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback turtles are of rare occurrence along Pakistan coast, however, WWF-Pakistan has now undeniable evidences of their occurrence and distribution along the coast.

In addition, eight species of freshwater turtles are found in the Indus River system. Besides, two species tortoises also exist in Pakistan. Their illegal trade to meet demands for their meat, their body parts and products and pet trade from the East Asian countries stays the key challenge to their survival besides habitat degradation and fishing induced mortalities.

The recent commendable joint effort of Sindh Wildlife and WWF-Pakistan Department to halt poaching of freshwater turtles in the Indus River and capturing poachers is also reminder of the fact that illegal capturing, killing and trafficking of these reptiles is a persistent threat to their survival and this can only be halted through effective enforcement of laws, alleviation of main driver such as poverty and awareness raising at all level.

This group of poachers was involved in the poaching of soft-shelled turtle's meat and body parts. This trend is alarming given that available research studies have already indicated a declining trend in the populations of freshwater turtles in Pakistan.

Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor, WWF-Pakistan turtle enmeshment is important issue because of ever increasing gillnet fleet and ghost fishing gears. Pakistan is among those countries which is complying to United States requirement of having turtle excluder devices (TED) since 1999, despites no mortality ever recorded in shrimp trawling gear.

However, because of non-compliance US authorities have imposed a ban on export of shrimp from Pakistan to USA. Provincial and federal fisheries departments working closely which fishermen to ensure compliance to TED Regulations so as to ensure restoration of export from Pakistan.

Dr Babar Khan, Director Wildlife and Regional Head (Sindh and Balochistan), WWF-Pakistan stressed on the need for creating awareness among general public, particularly youth, about the important species of tortoises as well as freshwater and marine turtles found in our fresh and marine waters, but are facing serious threat of extinction due to anthropogenic activities and climate change.

He also stressed on the need for effective monitoring of our border posts to ensure that illegal trade of these species can be controlled. According to Babar, WWF-Pakistan also works in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Climate Change, provincial wildlife departments, Pakistan Customs and other law enforcing and border security agencies for controlling the illegal trade of turtles and their parts.

Babar Khan also added that a continuous increase in the illegal pet trade of turtles has been observed in Pakistan, especially in the bigger cities. Also Hundreds of turtles are being sold in the local markets as pets despite their legal protected status.

Provincial wildlife protection departments should develop a mechanism to ensure continuous monitoring of markets where they are sold, while educating public on this matter. Public can play a role in monitoring and reporting such incidences of illegal trade of turtles to address the issue.