On June 13 WWF-Guianas conducted the first workshop on the Regional Action Plan (RAP) for the Northwest Atlantic (NWA) Leatherback turtles. The workshop’s objective was to help define the national adaption of the RAP in Guyana by engaging national stakeholders.
The RAP was finalised in 2022, and over the next five years (2023 -2027), it aims to reverse the declining trend of the leatherbacks, which could result in population collapse without national and regional intervention.
WWF-Guianas Oceans Officer, Ms Sara Henry, facilitated the event and presented important details on the RAP. The first half of the event saw insightful presentations about the status of the leatherback turtle in Guyana from representatives of the Protected Areas Commission, Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission and the Fisheries Department.
Delivering Brief remarks, Ms Aiesha Williams, Country Manager of WWF-Guianas, Guyana office, stated, “Protecting our iconic leatherback turtles is crucial to Guyana’s natural heritage and is a critical part of WWF’s work. These endangered animals are steadily declining over the last decade, and we must increase our efforts to reverse this population trend. We believe this can be achieved with the continued support from the various agencies and local communities.”
The second half of the workshop focused on reviewing the strategic lines and actions developed for the Leatherback Regional Action Plan. In this part of the workshop, stakeholders worked together to provide valuable feedback to help determine whether the plan aligns with national priorities and actions and help define the way forward for national adaptation of the RAP. Stakeholders also got the opportunity to view communications materials developed for the education and awareness aspect of the RAP.
Other stakeholders at the workshop were representatives from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Guyana Police Force Immigration, Guyana Marine Conservation Society and Conservation International and the Guyana Network of Fisher Folk Organisation.
The Northwest Atlantic Leatherback Sea Turtle, Regional Action Plan, provides specific guidelines and practical solutions for addressing bycatch and poaching while also increasing community engagement and enhancing legislation and enforcement, which, combined with access to better scientific knowledge, will support and enhance the positive impact of improved practices for the protection and management of leatherbacks and the critical habitats on which they depend.
Other regional participating countries in the RAP include Suriname, French Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago, where national workshops were held to adapt the plan to their local contexts. The plan intends to further action under four strategic areas, strengthening legislation and enforcement, protecting critical habitats, engaging stakeholders, and collecting sufficient data for decision-making.
A regional workshop for the countries to share the outputs from their national workshops and discuss future collaborations will be held on June 16, 2023.
The RAP was finalised in 2022, and over the next five years (2023 -2027), it aims to reverse the declining trend of the leatherbacks, which could result in population collapse without national and regional intervention.
WWF-Guianas Oceans Officer, Ms Sara Henry, facilitated the event and presented important details on the RAP. The first half of the event saw insightful presentations about the status of the leatherback turtle in Guyana from representatives of the Protected Areas Commission, Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission and the Fisheries Department.
Delivering Brief remarks, Ms Aiesha Williams, Country Manager of WWF-Guianas, Guyana office, stated, “Protecting our iconic leatherback turtles is crucial to Guyana’s natural heritage and is a critical part of WWF’s work. These endangered animals are steadily declining over the last decade, and we must increase our efforts to reverse this population trend. We believe this can be achieved with the continued support from the various agencies and local communities.”
The second half of the workshop focused on reviewing the strategic lines and actions developed for the Leatherback Regional Action Plan. In this part of the workshop, stakeholders worked together to provide valuable feedback to help determine whether the plan aligns with national priorities and actions and help define the way forward for national adaptation of the RAP. Stakeholders also got the opportunity to view communications materials developed for the education and awareness aspect of the RAP.
Other stakeholders at the workshop were representatives from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Guyana Police Force Immigration, Guyana Marine Conservation Society and Conservation International and the Guyana Network of Fisher Folk Organisation.
The Northwest Atlantic Leatherback Sea Turtle, Regional Action Plan, provides specific guidelines and practical solutions for addressing bycatch and poaching while also increasing community engagement and enhancing legislation and enforcement, which, combined with access to better scientific knowledge, will support and enhance the positive impact of improved practices for the protection and management of leatherbacks and the critical habitats on which they depend.
Other regional participating countries in the RAP include Suriname, French Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago, where national workshops were held to adapt the plan to their local contexts. The plan intends to further action under four strategic areas, strengthening legislation and enforcement, protecting critical habitats, engaging stakeholders, and collecting sufficient data for decision-making.
A regional workshop for the countries to share the outputs from their national workshops and discuss future collaborations will be held on June 16, 2023.
