In 2010 Sea Turtle Foundation will deliver a Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. The Program will engage communities in sea turtle and dugong conservation and inform participants of the life history and ecological value of these animals as well as the impacts of over-hunting. The Program will include elements of traditional knowledge and will reach both adults and children.

The Program will be delivered in the 13 prescribed villages under The Torres Strait Treaty (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1984. The Program is being delivered at the request of the communities who have recognised that current take levels are unsustainable. The Program is part of a 7-point management strategy agreed upon by the communities to reduce take levels.

Under the Treaty PNG hunters can hunt in Australian Torres Strait waters in recognition of this being their traditional sea country. This project links in with similar work taking place in the Torres Strait region and will result in a decrease in take of sea turtles and dugongs in Australian and PNG waters.

Project News:
The first Project Workshop was held in Daru, PNG on 10 June 2010, read more here.

Download Project Update No. 1, July 2010, here (825kb).

Support this Project
Sea Turtle Foundation is inviting businesses and organisations to provide financial support to the Program to ensure its longevity, increase the range of activities and increase its geographic reach. Read more about how your business or organisation can fund this project or other Sea Turtle Foundation activities here.

Project Funding

This project has core funding from the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, a component of the Australian Government’s Dept of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

This project has funding from the PNG Sustainable Development Program

Project Supporters

Project supported by the Papua New Guinea Department of Environment and Conservation

Project supported by the Torres Strait Regional Authority