IOSEA INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE TURTLE 2006

Turtle Information Centre and awareness-raising campaign

The beaches of Mohéli Island, Comoros, represent one of the key nesting sites for green turtles in the Western Indian Ocean. Up to 90 females a night nest on beaches at Itsamia. Hawksbill turtles also nest here and occasional Leatherbacks have been observed. However, despite some revenue from small-scale tourism and preliminary scientific research, the Comoros lack the financial and technical capacity for implementation of an effective turtle conservation plan. Community involvement has been identified as a priority for turtle conservation on the islands by WWF and IUCN. There was also no interpretative material about turtles available to ecotourists although many of these visitors were originally attracted by Mohéli’s rich marine biodiversity.

This project consisted of three components:

1. Financial support for Day of the Turtle 2006 at Itsamia in collaboration with ADSEI, the village association
2. A turtle drawing competition, held at five schools in villages where turtle poaching was a major problem
3. Development of the Hoani Conservation Centre, a headquarters for turtle monitoring activities and sale of souvenirs to tourists

By enhancing the experience of tourists, more funds will be raised for turtle conservation through purchase of souvenirs and increased international awareness. The Conservation Centre has  also instilled pride and concern for these animals in local people.

IOSEA YEAR OF THE TURTLE PHOTO GALLERY

C3-Comores (2007) TURTLE INFORMATION CENTRE AND AWARENESS-RAISING CAMPAIGN, MOHÉLI, COMOROS. A report submitted to the UNEP/IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat.12pp

IOSEA Profile of the Month - August 2007

Poonian CNS, Moussa C, Issoufi H (2006) COMMUNITY-BASED MONITORING OF MARINE RESOURCES ON MOHÉLI ISLAND, UNION OF THE COMOROS. Poster presentation Reef Conservation UK Annual Conference, Zoological Society of London, 9th December 2006

Hoani Culture Poster

Hoani Environment Poster

C3 is grateful to IOSEA Year of the Turtle 2006 for funding our Turtle Information Centre and awareness-raising campaign on Mohéli.