Deliver Your News to the World

Marine turtle stamps released in Papua New Guinea to support conservation


WEBWIRE

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – WWF and Papua New Guinea’s national postal service are issuing a new series of postal stamps featuring six species of endangered marine turtles found in the country’s waters — leatherback, green, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive ridley and flatback.

“We are pleased to be working with Post PNG to generate community awareness on threats to marine turtles,” said Robert Yen, WWF-Papua New Guinea’s Marine Programme Manager.

“Government and corporate agencies can play an important role in raising awareness about environment damage in Papua New Guinea.”

Papua New Guinea has some of the world’s most important nesting beaches, feeding areas and nurseries for leatherback, hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles.

Although internationally protected, the marine turtle populations are on the decline as a result of over-harvesting for meat and egg consumption, accidental capture in fishing nets, coastal development and marine pollution.

“There are some steps, however, that everyone can take right now to protect our marine turtles,” Yen added. “This includes leaving turtles alone when visiting beaches, and not buying turtles at markets or any products made with turtle parts.”

Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands last year agreed to protect the crucially endangered leatherback turtle in the Pacific through joint conservation activities.

The tri-national partnership, supported by WWF, will allow the three countries to enhance conservation of leatherback turtles through information sharing, data exchange and cooperative research. It also plans to establish a network of marine protected areas covering critical leatherback habitats throughout parts of the western Pacific Ocean.



WebWireID45138





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.