INFORMATION ABOUT THE GREEN & HAWKSBILL TURTLE

The turtle on the poster is a green turtle (Chelonia Mydas).
In the world, there are 7 species of turtles. Out of those 7, only 5 are found in the South-Western Indian Ocean (Green turtle, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive ridley and Leatherback).

In Mauritius we mainly find 2 species: Green and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Both are listed on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list for being respectively endangered and critically endangered.

The green turtle is highly migratory. It travels a long way every 3 or 4 years between reproduction areas and foraging areas. Out of a hundred eggs laid by a female only one will reach adulthood. This survivor will then use a wide range of broadly separated localities and habitats during its lifetime such as beach, coral reefs, mangroves, and sea-grasses areas.

Unfortunately, the Green turtle is still captured to be eaten in Mauritius. It appears that the turtles do not nest anymore in Mauritius. Last hatching was observed in 2007 in Gris Gris (South of Mauritius). We suppose that our coasts are feeding areas for these reptiles whether on reefs or sea grasses for adults.

Turtles are protected worldwide by the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the Convention on Migratory Species amongst other. Each of these conventions is ratified by Mauritius.

They are also protected by law in Mauritius (Section IV, paragraph 19 (1) (c) Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 1998).

HOW YOUR ACTIONS CAN HELP THIS SPECIES SURVIVE

• Stop littering. Plastic bags are a big threat to turtles who think it is jelly fish.

• Stop poaching or harvesting turtles (in nets, etc.).

• Stop eating turtle meat or use them for commercial uses.

• Report any poaching or behavior that you may find inappropriate.

• Do not buy objects or decorations made out of turtle shell.

• Volunteer / give your time to Forever Blue.

• Ask for information on the subject and raise awareness around you.

• Donate funds.

• Submit an idea for protection and conservation.

THE ORGANISATION

Forever Blue is an NGO created in 1998 whose objectives are to promote the protection of the marine environment through cultural events, education and sensitization programmes.

Forever Blue has mainly organized the Indian Ocean Underwater film festival for several years in a row, showing a selection of the best rewarded underwater films produced worldwide. These free of charge projections were made on large screens for the general public in the evenings while the members were going through schools or community centers during day time, projecting films and animating debates on marine environment. From its second edition on, the NGO has been associated to the world drawing contest for children and a convention was signed with the Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute co-founder of this competition with UNESCO. The selected drawings were sent to the international contest with a chance to become the world festival poster, published in international magazines. Two young Mauritians won that contest on two different editions.

Since October 2009, Forever Blue has implemented a field project called "Ambre community based eco-management project" which is a twofold project.
• First component is environment education with the training of trainers within the communities and in schools of the region, mainly on turtles and mangroves and the lagoon ecosystems linked to them all (sea grasses, reefs...). Trainings also induce socio economics alternatives to fishing such as development of ecotourism activities within the communities and operators of the region.
• Second component is research with air monitoring of sea turtles as well as transects on reef and sea grasses.

ACTIONS / LATEST ACTIONS / FORTHCOMING ACTIONS

Since 1998: Indian Ocean Underwater film festival for the general public with free projections on giant screen at Caudan Waterfront.

Education and sensitization programmes in schools around Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region (Rodrigues, Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion)

Since October 2009: Field project "Ambre community-based eco management project"

For world Environment Day 2010, Forever Blue is integrated in the national activities Programme. Check the programme on the Blog of the association: http://foreverblue-org.blogspot.com/

SUPPORT FOREVER BLUE IN THEIR CONSERVATION ACTIONS: DONATE NOW!

Contact details for Forever Blue:

Blog address: http://foreverblue-org.blogspot.com

Contact Name: Catherine Langlois

Telephone: 288 1003 - 940 8181

Email: foreverblue@myt.mu