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| Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles | ||||||
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Link
to text of agreement
Status of agreement
| Basic information |
| Date of adoption |
Adopted at the 11th MOP to the Barcelona Convention, October 1999 |
| Place of adoption | Vallarta, Malta |
| Entry into force | n/a |
| Authentic text(s) | English |
| Summary of instrument |
An Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles was first developed in 1989, under the auspices of the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan, as a response to growing international concern about the status of marine turtles in the Mediterranean, which come encounter various threats including incidental mortality by fishing gear and the deterioration or occupation of vital habitats. This Action Plan was thoroughly revised between 1998-1999 and a new version of the text was adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention in Malta in October 1999. The objectives of the Action Plan are:
a. the protection, conservation and, where possible, enhancing of the populations of marine turtles in the Mediterranean (with special priority to be accorded to Chelonia mydas - Green turtle - wherever appropriate);
b. appropriate protection, conservation and management of the marine turtle habitats including nesting, feeding, and wintering areas and migration routes; and
c. improvement of scientific knowledge by research and monitoring.
The Plan identifies a number of specific priorities, including the protection and management of known nesting, feeding (benthic and pelagic) and wintering areas and migration routes; the restoration of degraded nesting beaches; the banning of exploitation and minimization of incidental catches; the identification of feeding and wintering areas and migration routes; the investigation of new nesting areas; and the improvement of knowledge on the biology of the species, in particular aspects related to its life cycle. The Plan then outlines a number of general priority actions in four categories dealing with (1) the protection and management of the species and their habitats (including the minimization of the impact of fisheries on marine turtles); (2) research and monitoring; (3) public awareness, information and education; and (4) coordination between organizations and governments and an Annex contains a long list of specific actions, at the regional or subregional level and within individual countries, required to implement the general priorities and actions.
| Further information and references |
- Internet sources
- Related instruments