The Fifth Meeting of the Signatory States to the Convention on Migratory Species/Indian Ocean South East Asia (IOSEA) Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was held in Bali, Indonesia, from 20-23 August 2008.

The meeting brought together 27 country representatives to review the implementation of the conservation and management plan contained in the MoU, with a particular focus on coastal development issues and fisheries interaction with marine turtles. Ahead of the meeting, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) had reported mixed results in attempts to protect marine turtles in the region. The Agency said that while South Africa’s Loggerhead turtle population has grown in the past 40 years, the numbers in eastern Australia and Madagascar have sharply declined. Recognizing progress made by signatory States in many areas, UNEP called for their increased support to international coordination efforts. Among the threats posed to the species, UNEP identified coastal development, harmful fishing gear, degradation of critical habitats on land and excessive harvesting of eggs and for meat.
Link to further information
UNEP press release, 20 August 2008