Preservation of sea turtles responsibility of all citizens: Marine Resources Ministry

The Ministry of Marine Resources underlined that in the efforts being made to preserve sea turtles which are on the verge of extinction due to over fishing is the responsibility of citizens in general and fishers in particular. Massawa, 12 March 2012 – The Ministry of Marine Resources underlined that in the efforts being made to preserve sea turtles which are on the verge of extinction due to over fishing is the responsibility of citizens in general and fishers in particular.

Mr. Tekle Mengistu, expert in overseeing sea turtles in the Ministry, explained that due to fishing and dismantling of its natural habitat, two of the five species of the sea turtles are almost extinct, and stressed the need to carry out strict preservation activities.

He further stated that two sea turtles, 80 and 7 years old, caught by accident during fishing activities, have been given treatment and released back to the sea with a tag representing Eritrea put on them. He also indicated that continuous awareness campaign is being conducted to avoid catching sea turtles.

Reports from the Ministry indicate that in the years 2006 and 2007, Eritrean tags have been attached on around 200 sea turtles and sea turtles with Pakistan, Oman and Jordan have been found drifted into Eritrean territorial waters.

The sea turtle is known to migrate to the Indian Ocean from June to December, and there is speculation by the Ministry of Marine Resources that they reach South East Asia.

Studies indicate that the fertility age of sea turtle is from 20 to 30 years, and in one delivery season it lays from 60 to 120 eggs and only one reaches the age of fertility.