7 November 2008
Maputo — Organizations dedicated to the conservation of turtles in Mozambique are challenging all strata of society to adopt an attitude to protect and preserve these reptiles.
The challenge was launched in Maputo on Thursday by the Task Group for the Sea Turtles (GTT) during a public debate on the theme "Conservation of Sea Turtles in Mozambique: Challenges and Opportunities" that reflected on the dangers these animals face.
According to marine biologist Eduardo Videira, although turtles in Mozambique are protected by law, implementation of the law is very weak, and human activities continue to endanger the five species of turtle found in Mozambican waters.
Videira noted that, for instance, the work conducted by the group in 13 areas where turtles nest, along the Mozambican coast, in September and October 2007, enabled researchers to identify the various dangers the animals face.
Among these dangers are accidental capture in fishermen's nets, deliberate hunting for consumption of the turtles' meat and eggs, and the use of the shell to produce ornamentation and jewels, all associated with an uncontrolled coastal development.
According to Videira, turtles have been often caught in fishing nets by coastal communities but, instead of returning the turtles to the sea, they kill them for their meat and the shell.
The conservationists have started an exercise to mark the turtles, and have already marked 288 of one species of turtles since 2003, when the task group was set up.
Videira said that marking consists of attaching to the turtle a titanium plaque with the address of the entity that did the work. This allows one to know, for instance, in case of immigration, what was the original habitat of that turtle.
After birth, turtles swim long distances on the high sea. Some species may grow to a length of two metres and weigh about 500 kilos.
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