Participatory approaches to the conservation of sea turtles in Myanmar

February 23-25, 2010, Phuket, ThailandConservation of sea turtles has been initiated in Myanmar since 1963.The conservation activities were not profound until 1997 when Myanmar became a member of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Since Myanmar became a member of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), the integrated fisheries development and conservation of the resource activities and implementation have been boosted appropriately. In particular in the activities of sea turtle conservation and protection, survey of turtle Islands, investigation of landing species and seasons, and recording of annual nesting population and successive hatchling releasing were conducted. Also dissemination of awareness has promoted not toharmthe species, migratory routes and habitats. Through implementing of such conservation activities, the Department of Fisheries (DOF) attempts to increase the awareness of local people and fishermen in protection of sea turtles and its role in the sustainability of the balance of ecosystem. In the process of conservation and protection, the prerequisites are the proper policy arrangement, collaboration among the local people and institutions that undertake the motivation. In other ways the participatory approaches will be most effective in the implementation of the activity. Also the information on sea turtles conservation and protection is important to achieve the objectives