11 July 2004
KUWAIT: The maritime pollution, especially the one resulting from the oil and wastes, is the main reason behind the reduction of the number of sea turtles in Kuwait, an environment source has said.
Chairwoman of the environment enlightenment team at Environment Public Authority (EPA), Lina Al-Awadhi, said that another reason behind the decrease in the number of sea turtles in Kuwait is the deterioration of the natural resources due to the constructional projects. She stressed that there are environment laws issued by the EPA to protect the turtles and the bio-diversity in Kuwait, such as resolution 210 for the year 2001.
The resolution includes article 81 that bans killing, catching, holding, collecting or harming all the inbred creatures and their eggs and also bans harming the coral reefs. Four species of sea turtles have been observed in Kuwait, which are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata, leatherback Dermochelys coriacea and loggerhead Caretta caretta which are all universally endangered.
Sea turtles are characterised by a large, streamlined shell and no retractile head and limbs. Depending on the species, sea turtles range in colour. They may be olive-green, yellow, greenish-brown, or black. For the most part, the only time sea turtles need to leave the sea is when females haul out to lay eggs. Scientists are still researching longevity of sea turtles. Once sea turtles reach sexual maturity, they may have an estimated reproductive life of about 30 years. Given that some species reach maturity at 50 years, an 80-year lifespan is feasible The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) is an international treaty developed in 1973 to regulate trade in certain wildlife species. Cites protects all species of sea turtles and bans the import or export of sea turtle products.
KUWAIT: The maritime pollution, especially the one resulting from the oil and wastes, is the main reason behind the reduction of the number of sea turtles in Kuwait, an environment source has said.
Chairwoman of the environment enlightenment team at Environment Public Authority (EPA), Lina Al-Awadhi, said that another reason behind the decrease in the number of sea turtles in Kuwait is the deterioration of the natural resources due to the constructional projects. She stressed that there are environment laws issued by the EPA to protect the turtles and the bio-diversity in Kuwait, such as resolution 210 for the year 2001.
The resolution includes article 81 that bans killing, catching, holding, collecting or harming all the inbred creatures and their eggs and also bans harming the coral reefs. Four species of sea turtles have been observed in Kuwait, which are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata, leatherback Dermochelys coriacea and loggerhead Caretta caretta which are all universally endangered.
Sea turtles are characterised by a large, streamlined shell and no retractile head and limbs. Depending on the species, sea turtles range in colour. They may be olive-green, yellow, greenish-brown, or black. For the most part, the only time sea turtles need to leave the sea is when females haul out to lay eggs. Scientists are still researching longevity of sea turtles. Once sea turtles reach sexual maturity, they may have an estimated reproductive life of about 30 years. Given that some species reach maturity at 50 years, an 80-year lifespan is feasible The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) is an international treaty developed in 1973 to regulate trade in certain wildlife species. Cites protects all species of sea turtles and bans the import or export of sea turtle products.
© Kuwait Times 2004
