Symposium aimed at gathering support for turtle conservation

Symposium aimed at gathering support for turtle conservation
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 24
The 30th annual symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation will be used to garner support for several public petitions on issues of importance to marine turtles and their habitats, including one asking that ports and large infrastructural projects are kept at least 25 km away from critical marine turtle nesting habitats. 
The symposium being held in the South Asian region for the first time in its 30 year history took off on Saturday in Goa at the Kala Academy, here. It has brought together a diverse range of participants from around the world, including students, academics, activists and conservationists.
Over 700 individuals from 70-plus countries across the world are attending the event, making it one of the largest international conferences on ecology and conservation to be held in India. Some of the best known biologists and conservationists in the field are participating in the symposium that ends on April 30.
Dr Kartik Shanker, from the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, and President of the International Sea Turtle Society, said, “We wanted to zoom out for a bird’s eye view of the world of turtles; the many ecosystems and habitats they use including sandy beaches, sea-grass meadows, coral reefs and open seas.” 
He observed, “We wanted to draw attention to the human communities and livelihood issues in coastal areas and lay the foundation for a more practical and inclusive conservation approach.”
The symposium also includes two key regional events – a South Asia mini symposium which will overview research from within the region as well as a Fisheries Forum which will serve to foster greater engagement between conservationists and fisheries representatives.
“This is an excellent opportunity for organisations and researchers from across the region to interact, collaborate and discuss various issues related to coastal and marine resources and their conservation, from the perspective of marine turtles as global flagship species,” Dr Shanker said.
The event is being organised by the International Sea Turtle Society in partnership with the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Centre for Ecological Sciences/Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT), Foundation for Ecological Research, Learning and Advocacy (FERAL) and Dakshin Foundation.