From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Mon Mar 22 2010 - 08:43:43 EST
Eritrea promotes biodiversity conservation at national event 22 Mar 2010
http://www.ioseaturtles.org/feature_detail.php?id=315
The Eritrean Navy chose Fenkel 2010, held from 12-14 February, as a national
event to promote the conservation of endangered marine species of the
Eritrean Red Sea. Models of a giant sea turtle, dugong and sawfish shark
were displayed during the magnificent carnival show that coincided with the
official opening on 13th February. The aim was to increase understanding and
create awareness about marine biodiversity and their conservation needs by
relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The day was observed in the port compound of the city of Massawa. Invited
quests and higher officials, people from different sectors and organizations
of the region and members of the national media were in attendance.
Click *here http://www.ioseaturtles.org/UserFiles/Image/Festival-rev_med.jpg
*to enlarge the photograph of the impressive floating turtle.
The three day event commemorated the 20th Fenkel Operation, in which Massawa
and its surroundings were freed after heavy battle with Ethiopia in 1990. It
is also an occasion to celebrate the achievements of the country’s
development after independence.
The President of the State of Eritrea, H.E. Issaias Afewerki, Ministers,
Regional Administrators, Religious Leaders, and thousands of people attended
the ceremony. The occasion was broadcasted live on satellite through the
Eritrea National Television (ERI-TV), which millions of people observed
inside the country and abroad.
Mr. Efrem Tesfay, coordinator of the carnival and a navy officer pointed out
in an interview with www.eritrearedsea.org that the occasion showcased the
key outcomes of the efforts and initiatives conducted by the Navy, Ministry
of Marine Resources and other relevant bodies of the government. He
promised that the Eritrean Navy would do everything it could do to support
conservation activities inside the country. He added that the carnival had
embarked on a nationwide campaign to curb the exploitation of marine
resources.
Mr. Efrem said that while tourism could contribute to the turnaround of the
economy, more focus should be given to conserving Ertirea's natural
resources, especially the fragile marine and coastal resources of the
country. “We who are working closely with the sea are particularly worried
about sea turtles and dugongs, which are greatly in danger by human
exploitation. The government recently warned coastal people not to kill
marine turtles and other endangered species”.
Enhancing monitoring research by the Ministry of Marine Resources alone is
not enough because “you cannot enforce legislation without the proper
cooperation of the Navy that will hopefully lead to strengthened
partnerships for marine conservation. ” Mr. Efrem explained. Navy officials
set up bases at different areas of the coast for policing of the coastline
to protect the resources from destruction.
Under the 1998 existing Eritrean Fisheries Proclamation No. 104/1998, direct
harvest and domestic trade in endangered and protected species are
prohibited.
The Government’s commitment arises from the membership of Eritrea as a
signatory of different memoranda of understanding on the conservation and
management of endangered and migratory species which recognise the need for
regional cooperation -- such as those with PERSGA, IOSEA, IUCN, WWF,
Birdlife International; etc.
Eritrea is very rich in marine biodiversity with mangroves, coral and reef
fishes, turtle nesting, as well as species of birds, seagrass and seaweed.
Eritrea aims to become the first country in the world to turn its entire
coast into an environmentally protected zone to ensure balanced and
sustainable development. The State intends to protect its 1,350-kilometer
coastline, along with another 1,950 kilometers of coast around its more than
350 islands, according to the draft coastal policy document.
According to laws stated in the previous Fisheries Proclamations, a number
of articles relevant to the protection and conservation of marine resources,
including the establishment of marine protected areas, have been initiated.
The government already has plans to establish a National Protected Areas
Network aiming at maintaining the diversity and viability of the various
components of Eritrean’s natural heritage, and to insure the sustainable
utilization of the natural resources within them
The Ministry of Marine Resources has been working with different
stakeholders and other funding agencies such as the Global Environmental
Facility (GEF/UNDP) to come up with different marine biodiversity
conservation plans to enhance research and reduce threats from human
activities.
*
This feature kindly provided by*
Mr Yohannes Teclemariam Mebrahtu
Marine Conservationist & Marine Turtle Conservation Coordinator
Ministry of Marine Resources
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