• Five out of the seven marine turtle species around the world are listed as Endangered.
  • A female turtle can lay up to 120 eggs in one nest and can nest up to 3-4 times in one season.
  • This project is currently tracking 24 female Hawksbill turtles from UAE, Oman, Qatar and Iran.
  • Fishermen can now use turtle excluder devices to prevent accidental capture of marine turtles.

The Marine Turtle Conservation Project focuses on 4 countries in the Gulf region where the

Hawksbill turtles are known to nest.

Iran

The turtles in Iran were tagged in Shidvar island, located off the southern coast of Iran. EWS-WWF worked together with MRF and Deputy for Natural Environment and Wildlife and Aquatic Affairs Bureau to arrange the logistics of this mission in 2010 and 2011.

Oman

Hawksbill turtles are common in the waters of Oman. In 2011, tagging was carried out in Damaniyat islands (declared as a protected area), as well as in Masirah island, one of the major turtle nesting sites of Oman. The Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs (MECA) and the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) are valuable partners of this project in Oman

Qatar

There are two main nesting locations in Qatar, one public beach named Fuwairat, which is protected by rangers during the turtle nesting season, and a long stretch of beach in the Ras Laffan Industrial City. The Qatar Ministry of Environment has endorsed our project, while the tagging activities in Qatar were carried out in coordination with the research team of the University of Qatar (Environmental Studies Center) and representatives of Ras Laffan Industrial City.

UAE

In the UAE, the host country of EWS-WWF, we are pleased to work with our local partners in this project: Sharjah Environment Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), and Emirates Marine Environment Group (EMEG)