IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU: National Report

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1 Page 1 of 14 Home > Main report > Query full report Select Geographic Area Select Query Country Islamic Rep. of Iran Query full report Go GENERAL INFORMATION Signatory State: Islamic Rep. Iran (NWI) Agency or institution primarily responsible for the preparation of this report: Department of Environment, Islamic Republic of Iran Any other agencies, institutions, or NGOs that have provided input: Memorandum in effect in country since: 01/09/2001 Report was last updated: 01/01/2005 Designated Focal Point: Director General International Affairs and Public Relations/ Deputy head of the Department for Natural Environment and Biodiversity. Department of Environment PO Box , Tehran-Iran OBJECTIVE I: REDUCE DIRECT AND INDIRECT CAUSES OF MARINE TURTLE MORTALITY 1.1 Threats to marine turtle populations and their habitats List by name those nesting beaches, feeding grounds and developmental habitats that are important for marine turtles in your country. Indicate geographic coordinates, if possible. Persian Gulf: 1) Nakhiloo and Ommolkaram Island, Nayband Bay, in Booshehr Province 2) Shidvar, Hendourabi, Queshm, Lavan, Kish,Hengam, Hormoz and Larak Islands in Hormozgan Province Oman Sea area (Sistan and Baluchestan Province): Kratti, Tang, Pozm, chabahar, Kohpansar, Ramin, Miami 1.2 Best practice approaches to minimizing threats Describe any protocols or approaches for conserving and managing marine turtle populations which you consider to be exemplary and suitable for adaptation and adoption elsewhere in the region. 1) Employment of local people as Environment Guards, and their participation in research activities. 2) Legal protection of sea turtles and establishment of penalty for any related harvest. 3) Designation of the habitats as legally protected areas( protecred area, wild life refuge)

2 Page 2 of Which best practice approaches has your country adapted and/or adopted with success? 1) Legal measures for protection of turtles prohibiting people from any harvest. (legally protected wildlife species) 2) Local participation regarding conservation and protection like in Qeshm Island or Shidvsr Island 1.3 Programmes to correct adverse economic incentives Describe any socio-economic studies that have been conducted among communities that interact with marine turtles and their habitats. 1) Sea turtles and local people, a study by Asghar Mobaraki, Department of Environment, in Oman Sea area (2003). 2) Experimental attempts on using TEDs on fisheries vessels Which economic incentives are in need of modification in your country in order to reduce threats to and mortality of marine turtles? Banning and prohibition of buying and selling of eggs and related products. Public awareness would be a good tool to prevent any adverse economic activities.as the eggs are used as traditional medicine in different areas so, some people are engaged with egg harvest and its selling. It means that turtle egga provide incomes for some families Describe any progress made towards implementing modifications to these economic incentives, as well as resources needed and already secured for their implementation. 1.4 Reduction of incidental capture and mortality Which gear, devices and techniques have been developed and/or are used in your country to minimize incidental capture of marine turtles? Devices that allow the escape of marine turtles Spatial closures of fishing activities Seasonal closures of fishing activities Other (list them): of the above Describe in more detail any initiatives undertaken with fisheries industries and fisheries management organisations to implement mitigation measures in national waters and on the high seas. Official meeting and negotiation with Fisheries Organization of Iran to enhance fishermen knowledge and awareness as well as monitoring of their activities in fishing areas. Based on Fisheries Organization announcement, the fishermen are prohibited from any harm to turtles and they must release them in case of entanglement Describe any procedures or training programmes developed to promote implementation of these measures (e.g. vessel monitoring systems, inspections, on-board observer programmes etc.) Has your country exchanged information and provided technical assistance to other signatory States to promote these activities? Please give details.

3 Page 3 of What measures has your country taken in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 46/215 concerning the moratorium on the use of large-scale driftnets? Has your country developed and/or implemented net retention and recycling schemes? Please give details Does your country provide and ensure the use of port facilities for the disposal of ship-borne waste? Please give details. According to IMO regulations most ships have been asked by the port authorities of Iran to implement that subject and it is in force. 1.5 Prohibition of harvest of, and trade in, marine turtles Has your country already enacted legislation to prohibit direct harvest and domestic trade in marine turtles, their eggs, parts and products? Please give details, including any exceptions made. Please give details. Sea turtles have been listed as protected wildlife and marine creatures of the country and any killing of turtles carries with it a penalty of Rls, as well as any harvested egg (fines equivalent to US $400 and $120, respectively) Please indicate the level and the impact of traditional harvest on marine turtles and their eggs. Provide the source of information to make this assessment. Level of harvest: HIGH MODEST LOW NONE UNKNOWN Source of information (type in): In some places also the level is high, eg Sistan and Baluchestan Province. (Source: Field observations; Mobaraki, A.: Marine Environment Bureau reports) Impact of harvest: HIGH MODEST LOW NONE UNKNOWN Source of information (type in): The same as above Have any management programmes been established that include limits on levels of intentional harvest? If yes, please give details What are the cultural and traditional values, and economic uses of marine turtles in your country (consumptive and non-consumptive)? Meat consumption Egg consumption Shell products Fat consumption Traditional medicine Eco-tourism programmes centred on marine turtles Marine turtles are culturally/traditionally significant

4 Page 4 of 14 Other (list): Describe any management agreements being negotiated, or already in place, with other concerned States in relation to sustainable levels of traditional harvest. 1.6 Nesting beach programmes Has your country undertaken a recent evaluation of the effectiveness of its nest and beach management programmes? If yes, provide a reference/contact for any published or unpublished reports. In the recent years a joint study with Queshm Free Zone has been carried out in this respect in Queshm Island. The results are still under preparation What measures are in place to minimise or reduce the mortality of eggs, hatchlings and nesting females (including that caused by feral and domestic animals)? In the above-mentioned programme conducted in Queshm Island, the nesting sites and the nests are being protected. Also some nests are translocated to suitable places which reduce the threats to hatchlings. We are planning to start a nest protection programme in Oman sea area for Green turtle nests next year as well. OBJECTIVE II: PROTECT, CONSERVE AND REHABILITATE MARINE TURTLE HABITATS 2.1 Measures to protect and conserve marine turtle habitats What incentives are there for assuring adequate protection of critical habitat outside of established protected areas? Are assessments routinely made of the environmental impact on marine turtles and their habitats of marine and coastal development and other human activities? If yes, give details. Not directly on sea turtles, but on the marine environment and habitat. Any activity adjacent to the sea has to provide an EIA for DOE permission In general terms, what measures are in place to manage and regulate the use of beaches and dunes? Regulations regarding location and design of buildings Regulations on the use of artificial lighting Regulations on the transit of vehicles in nesting areas of the above Other (describe): Use this box to comment further on any of the answers above: Is water quality monitored, and are steps taken to protect water quality from land based and maritime pollution? If yes, please give details.

5 Page 5 of 14 Some regular sampling and studies have been carried out all across coastal waters as oceanographic reasearch cruises in the Persian Gulf area, in collaboration with the other states of ROPME in which water and sediment samples were provided to determine and monitor the pollution levels in the area every 2 or 3 years. Moreover any kind of activity causing marine pollution is subject to fine What measures are being applied to ensure the effective prohibition of the use of poisonous chemicals and explosives? They are not used in Iran. 2.2 Rehabilitation of degraded marine turtle habitats Have any efforts been made to re-vegetate frontal dunes at nesting beaches? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) Are efforts being made to remove debris that impedes turtle nesting and hatchling production? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) Are efforts being made to recover degraded coral reefs? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) Work on the identification of critical coral reef areas has recently finished and there are some recovery programmes for the degraded areas planned in the next year Are efforts being made to recover degraded mangrove and seagrass habitats? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) Some efforts on recovering mangrove forests are undertaken in Booshehr (Nayband, Mele Gonze) and Hormozgan (Hara protected area in Queshm Island) Provinces and the results achieved are satisfactory. OBJECTIVE III: IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE TURTLE ECOLOGY AND POPULATIONS THROUGH RESEARCH, MONITORING AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE 3.1 Studies on marine turtles and their habitats Have baseline studies been conducted or other information gathered on marine turtle populations and their habitats in your country? If yes, cite any available relevant literature. In some areas these studies have been conducted but they don't cover the all of the Persian Gulf and Oman sea areas. Also the results of some of these studies have not been published and presented yet. The only available publications and literature are: 1) Asghar Mobaraki, Nesting of Hawksbill Sea turtle in Shidvar Island, 2003, Marine

6 Page 6 of 14 Turtle Newsletter and website 2) Asghar Mobaraki, Sea Turtle status in Iran, 23rd symposium on sea turtles, 2003, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3) Asghar Mobaraki, Green sea turtle nesting in Iran, Marine Turtle Newsletter and website, 2004, 4) Hamzeh Valavi, sea turtle nesting in Nakhiloo island, Booshehr Province, Quarterly journal of DOE, No 25, ) Bijan Darreh Shori, Sea turtles of Queshm Island, 6) Asghar Mobaraki, Global strategy for the conservation of Sea turtles (IUCN), Translation, Quarterly journal of DOE, No 30, Are long-term monitoring programmes in place for priority marine turtle populations? If yes, give details Has the genetic identity of marine turtle populations frequenting the waters of your country been characterized? If yes, give details What studies have been / are being used to identify migration routes? Tagging Genetic studies Satellite tracking Other of the above Give details: We are planning to start sea turtle tagging programme for the first time in Iran in Shidvar Island in the Persian Gulf from March to May Have studies been carried out on marine turtle population dynamics and survival rates? If yes, give details Has research been conducted on the frequency and pathology of diseases of marine turtles? If yes, give details Is the use of traditional ecological knowledge in research studies being promoted? If so, how? In the conducted study in Oman sea area ( Asghar Mobaraki, Marine Environment Bureau, 2003) the information of local people and fishermen about sea turtles of the area were collected by using a simple questionnaire Are research and monitoring activities periodically reviewed and evaluated for their efficacy? 3.2 Collaborative research and monitoring Have priority research and monitoring needs been identified and

7 Page 7 of 14 included in regional and sub-regional action plans? If yes, which plans? On which of the following themes have collaborative studies and monitoring been conducted? (Give brief details for each) Genetic identity Conservation status Migrations Other biological and ecological aspects Other (describe): of the above 3.3 Data analysis List in order of priority the marine turtle populations in your country need of conservation actions, and indicate for each of them their population trends. 1) Green sea turtle population in Oman Sea area 2) Hawksbill population in Oman Sea area, for which the only reports are from many years ago. 3) No studies have been conducted on other populations, but in general due to different factors the nesting populations of hawksbills in different islands of the Persian Gulf are under threat and need conservation In what areas are research results being used to improve the efficacy of conservation actions: Management Threat mitigation Assessment of hatchery management practices Assessment of habitat loss Other (describe): of the above 3.4 Information exchange Has your country undertaken any initiatives to standardise methods and levels of data collection, including an agreed set of protocols? If yes, give details What methods are being used for dissemination of information (to other Range States)? [NB: This question differs from 4.1.1), below] By publishing the results of the studies in related journals and source of publications like: DOE journal, websites, newsletters etc

8 Page 8 of To what extent does your country exchange scientific and technical information and expertise with other Range States? OFTEN (SYTEMATICALLY) OCCASIONALLY RARELY NEVER To what extent does your country disseminate traditional knowledge on marine turtles? OFTEN (SYTEMATICALLY) OCCASIONALLY RARELY NEVER Does your country compile data on marine turtle populations of a regional interest? If yes, give details. OBJECTIVE IV: INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE THREATS TO MARINE TURTLES AND THEIR HABITATS, AND ENHANCE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES 4.1 Public education, awareness and information programmes Describe, in general terms, the nature of the education materials that have been collected, developed and disseminated in your country Have any community learning / information centres been established? If yes, give details Have any mass media information programmes been developed and implemented? If yes, give details. Some doccumentary movies on sea turtles have been produced in Booshehr Province For which of the following groups have focused education and awareness programmes been developed and conducted? Policy makers Teachers Schools Fishing communities Media Other (describe): of the above Please give further details: In respect to ROPME programmes put at the disposal of member States, DOE focuses on primary and secondary schools. Each year, a drawing and essay competition and contest is made among school childeren. By this way children and their families are encouraged to get familiar with the preservaton of environment and sea creatures like sea turtles. 4.2 Alternative livelihood opportunities Describe initiatives undertaken to identify and facilitate alternative livelihoods (including income generating activities) for local communities.

9 Page 9 of Public participation Describe initiatives undertaken to involve stakeholders, and local communities in particular, in the planning and implementation of conservation and management measures. We have been successful in drawing the attention of local people in some research and conservation programmes and attract their cooperation in some areas eg. Queshm and Shidvar Islands Describe initiatives undertaken to encourage the participation of Government institutions, NGOs, private sector and the general community in research and conservation efforts What incentive schemes have been used to encourage public participation? T-shirts for tag returns Public acknowledgement Certificates Other (describe): of the above Please give further details: OBJECTIVE V: ENHANCE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 5.1 Collaboration with, and assistance to, signatory and non-signatory States Has your country actively encouraged other (non-party) States to join CITES? Has your country undertaken a national review of its compliance with CITES obligations in relation to marine turtles? Does your country have, or participate/cooperate in, CITES training programmes for relevant authorities? Does your country have in place mechanisms to identify international illegal trade routes (for marine turtle products etc.) and to cooperate with other States to prevent/deter/eliminate illegal trade? If yes, give details. If no, describe any impediments in this regard. There is no international trade on sea turtle products in Iran Which compliance and trade issues has your country exchanged information on or raised for discussion (e.g. through the MoU Secretariat, at meetings of signatory States etc.)?

10 Page 10 of Describe measures in place to prevent, deter and eliminate domestic illegal trade in marine turtle products (e.g. monitoring, legislation, identification of enforcement gaps, training etc.) Taking into account that marine turtles are listed as protected marine fauna, there are a series of criteria and regulations in place to impede people from harvesting these species. As a monitoring programme specially in the nesting season, DOE game guards monitor the nesting beaches. 5.2 Development and implementation of national, sub-regional and regional action plans Has your country taken steps towards developing a set of key management measures to be used as a basis for more specific action plans? If yes, give details What existing action plans are being considered as possible models? For which specific local management issues is international cooperation considered necessary? (List them) Are the national, sub-regional and regional action plans in which your country is involved subject to regular review? 5.3 Cooperation and information exchange Identify what you consider to be useful existing (or potentially useful) mechanisms for cooperation in relation to marine turtle conservation and management at the sub-regional level. What initiatives has your country taken to try to strengthen these mechanisms? Regional or sub-regional agreements, such as ROPME could play a very effective role in starting the cooperation between the States for conservation measures specially the shared populations. We have done preliminary activities to initiate such cooperation Does your country have or contribute to any web-sites or newsletters to facilitate networking and information exchange? If yes, give details What material can your country contribute to the development of a web-based information resource for marine turtle conservation? (now available at Data on marine turtle populations Nesting data Migration data Information on projects Other (list):

11 Page 11 of Has your country contributed names to the directory of experts and organizations concerned with marine turtle conservation? Has your country developed, or is it participating in, any networks for cooperative management of shared populations? If yes, give details Has your country cooperated in the establishment of any transboundary marine protected areas? If yes, give details What has your country done to encourage other MoU signatory States to join CMS? What has your country done to encourage other MoU signatory States to join global fisheries agreements? What steps has your country taken to secure data on incidental capture and to encourage them to adopt marine turtle conservation measures within EEZs and on the high seas? 5.4 Capacity-building What capacity-building needs does your country have in terms of human resources, knowledge and facilities? More participation in regional and international gatherings. Regional cooperation Establishment of a regional databank Regional expertise information exchange and cooperation Describe any training provided in marine turtle conservation and management techniques (e.g. workshops held, training manuals produced etc.) How have training programmes, workshops etc. been coordinated nationally and regionally (in order to avoid duplication of effort and to achieve economies of scale)? In relation to capacity-building, describe any partnerships developed with universities, research institutions, training bodies and other relevant organisations

12 Page 12 of 14 There is some cooperation between DOE and Free Zone Islands and some universities. 5.5 Enforcement of conservation legislation Has your country conducted a review of policies and laws to address any gaps or impediments in relation to marine turtle conservation? If not, indicate any impediments encountered in this regard and when this review is expected to be done. No specific programmes Have any problems been encountered in relation to cooperation in law enforcement to ensure compatible application of laws across and between jurisdictions? If yes, please give details. OBJECTIVE VI: PROMOTE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOU, INCLUDING THE CMP 6.1 MoU membership and activities What has your country done to encourage other States to sign the MoU? This could be done through ROPME List any sub-regional workshops held which provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the MoU Is your country favourable towards amending the MoU in the future with a view to making it a legally-binding instrument? 6.2 Secretariat and Advisory Committee What has your country done to secure reliable sources of funding to support the MoU secretariat and implementation of the MoU? Has your country nominated candidates to serve on the Advisory Committee? 6.3 Resources to support implementation of the MoU From your country's perspective, which conservation and management activities ought to be among the highest priorities for funding (list up to 10 activities from the CMP)

13 Page 13 of 14 1) Conduct baseline studies 2) Initiate long term monitoring of sea turtle populations 3) Identify and doccument threats to sea turtle populations 4) Adopt the best conservation and management practices for sea turtle populations 5) Determine those populations affected by sources of mortality 6) Reduce the mortality of eggs and hatchlings to maximize their survival 7) Use research results to improve management, mitigate threats and assess the efficacy of conservation activities 8) Identify areas of critical habitat such as migratory corridors, nesting beaches, inter-nesting and feeding areas. 9) Prioritise populations for conservation actions 10) Designate and manage protected/conservation areas, sanctuaries, or temporary exclusion zones in areas of critical habitat or take other measures Has your country explored options for funding of marine turtle conservation activities with other Governments and donor organizations? If yes, give details of the approaches made (successful or unsuccessful) In respect to regional organisations (ROPME), we have secured a little funding Has any funding and other contributions been solicited from industries impacting marine turtles and their habitats? If yes, give details of the approaches made (successful or unsuccessful) Describe any initiatives made to explore the use of economic instruments for the conservation of marine turtles and their habitats Have the private sector, foundations and NGOs been approached to catalyse the creation of a small grants fund? Describe any managed ecotourism or other projects that have generated funding for conservation and management activities In what way has your country promoted synergies with other regional/global convention secretariats? Has your country explored (and secured) international funding support or other incentives for effectively managing marine turtle populations?

14 Page 14 of Coordination among government and non-government sectors Has your country conducted a review of the roles and responsibilities of government agencies related to the conservation and management of marine turtles and the habitats? If not, indicate any impediments encountered in this regard and when this review is expected to be done. There is not any specific programme for such a review although there has not been any impediment either. Maybe that is why there has not been any specific conservation and management programme on sea turtles and their habitats Has your country designated a lead agency responsible for coordinating national marine turtle conservation and management policy. If not, when is this information expected to be communicated to the MoU secretariat? Describe any initiatives that have been undertaken to encourage cooperation within and among government and non-government sectors (e.g. development of national networks, formation of steering committees etc.) Other remarks Please provide any comments/suggestions to improve the present reporting format. It is suggested that for the future development of the report we could be in a position to provide further information (questions) to be inserted or added. Additional information / remarks: A project has been initiated and offered to UNDP and progressed to the extent of Phase 2 PDF, but, unfortunately it was stopped due to reasons unknown to us. We hope that this action could somehow be resumed in order to enable us to get involved in a more useful and serious programme for sea turtles. Note: the present report was lightly edited by the Secretariat (14 March 2004)