DOHA: With the start of the turtle hatching season in Qatar, the Ministry of Environment is launching a campaign to protect and conserve the turtle population in the Qatari waters.
The ‘Save Turtles’ campaign will focus on the Hawksbill species, one of the most endangered and highly important to Qatar.
With the launch of ‘Save Turtles’ logo, the campaign begins in collaboration with Qatar University (QU) and Qatar Petroleum (QP), the ministry said yesterday.
The hatching season presents a rare opportunity for nature enthusiasts to witness young turtles hitting the water for their long voyage into the ocean. It takes around 30 years for female hatchlings to return, amazingly, to the same beach for nesting.
Nesting sites are spread along northern beaches of Qatar. Ideal place to watch baby turtles (the hatchlings) is Fuwairit beach, which also happens to be the most important nesting site for Hawksbills in Qatar.
Marine turtles are one of the most fascinating creatures in the world. They feed and dwell in the seas, but offer us a glimpse of their lives when they come ashore for nesting and laying eggs. There are seven species worldwide, five of which are ‘Critically Endangered’ and two are ‘Vulnerable’.
The ministry is leading the conservation and research project/programme on Hawksbills in coordination with QU, supported by QP.
Qatari marine waters is home to three species of sea turtles, including Hawksbills that is ecologically, economically and culturally important to Qatar.
Marine turtles play an important role in the ecosystem by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs — reefs that provide nurseries for about a quarter of the ocean’s fish population. Hawksbills feed mainly on sponges, some highly toxic and lethal to corals reefs.
“Qatar’s antiquity, life and culture are deeply associated with the coast and sea life. Our forefathers recognised the need to conserve and protect our natural resources for the coming generations to achieve sustainability. We have inherited this trait and we shall ensure to pass on the baton to our next generation,” said a ministry statement.
Together with current conservation measures, the ministry will also undertake the following: Implement strategies to increase the survival ratio of hatchlings; monitor feeding habitats for any possible degradation; restore nesting beaches with support of experts since it is observed that some of important nesting sites have suffered extensive degradation; and keep vigil to prevent poaching and trading in turtle and its products. This is also in ambit of CITES Convention of which Qatar is a signatory.
The ministry will also exert efforts to reduce unwarranted use of lights during the nesting season, as it tends to disorientate turtles and hatchlings.
The Peninsula
