CHANGE OF STATUS FOR "MEDITERRANEAN" GREEN TURTLE
MEDASSET Considers Change A 'Step Backwards'
for Conservation
The IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) has recently changed the IUCN Red list (World Conservation Union) status of the green turtle in the Mediterranean from a regional critically endangered status, to only an endangered global listing. The IUCN Red List, a prioritised compilation of endangered wildlife species, can be a powerful tool for conservation planning, management, monitoring and for placing pressure on decision-makers and politicians, highlighting the vulnerability of endangered species. At this time there is "insufficient and improper justification" for the green turtle to be classified as a subpopulation within the Mediterranean, according to listing criteria. MEDASSET considers that this devalued status could potentially jeopardize conservation efforts in the region.
MTSG's decision may be a step backward
for green turtle conservation in the Mediterranean as it may jeopardise
regional conservation efforts of a population estimated at only 250-500
nesting females! So far, the "critically endangered" status of
the green turtle in the Mediterranean 
has been crucial for pushing the
very few protection measures and political support available, to salvage
and recover the species. To determine suitable listing for the green turtle
in the Mediterranean, appropriate documentation to meet special IUCN subpopulation
criteria is needed. Considering that these studies take several years
and IUCN listing procedures are rather slow, by the time the process is
complete there may be no turtles left to protect! The fact that they nest
primarily in non-EU member states, restricting the influence of strong
EU Environmental legislation, further exacerbates the problem.
MEDASSET proposed that during this 'data deficient period', the green turtle population in the Mediterranean retain it's listing with a time allowance for research and conservation reasons, before such a sudden devaluation takes place. The IUCN Red list has been increasingly powerful and relevant for "concentrating minds on true priorities", lets hope that this devalued status of the green turtle in the Mediterranean does not distract from its critical conservation need.
Scientists argue that...
The IUCN must base its decisions on fact not feeling and at present sufficient data is not available to support the green turtle in the Mediterranean as a separate sub-population.
Genetic studies are the only way forward to determine true listing of the species in the Mediterranean.
If the Mediterranean green turtle is listed as a subpopulation, it could potentially affect green turtle's listing globally. Obviously the green turtles in the Mediterranean needs far more help than those in other parts of the world, but with the listing change they both have an endangered status. It works both ways - if Mediterranean greens are at a later date declared a separate sub-population, should we consider listing others as only vulnerable?
A system is needed that allows conservationists to prioritise their efforts; the current system certainly needs refining!
|
A
Turtle Legend
An English philosopher was visiting India, and was introduced to
a Holy Man. The philosopher asked the Holy Man the nature of the
world, and the old man replied, "Oh the world is a great big ball that sits on the great flat back of the Great World Turtle." The Englishman of course asked "What does the turtle stand on?" The seer replied "Why on the back of an even larger turtle of course!" Then the Englishman asked "and what does THIS turtle stand on?" The old man shook his head and sweetly smiled and said, "It is no use my son, it is turtles all the way down!" |
|