Marine Turtle Conservation Action. MTCA, which was inaugurated on 5 June 1996 at Trivandrum, is expected to grow to a large programme with individuals and organizations joining as signatories. The initial activity will consist of assembling baseline information, which will be followed by the preparation of a draft Declaration on Turtle Conservation for circulation and signature. Field work will begin in January 1997, with an aim to identify conservation areas. The construction of sea walls and a variety of anthropogenic pressures have negatively affected sea turtle nesting on the west coast.
Fishermen also catch turtles, which are offered for sale in major fish markets.
Community based conservation action is urgently needed to counter these direct and indirect threats to remaining marine turtle stocks. It is hoped that the field work of the MTCA will identify important breeding grounds, especially those where conservation can still be accomplished. At these sites, nearby villages, fishermen, nature clubs and students will be involved to establish conservation activities. By promoting public awareness within communities, the MTCA hopes to capitalize on the resulting goodwill and knowledge to develop a community attitude which cares for sea turtles. MTCA aspires to become a theme-based conservation programme caring for the coastal ecoregion.