Goats were introduced to Fiji in the 1950s to provide a source of income to local communities. This source of cash continues to be a strong disincentive to the goats removal. Despite decades of conservation efforts, six of the world s seven species of marine turtle are still in danger of extinction, WWF, warned in a new publication. Marine Turtles in the Wild emphasizes that threats such as over-use mean that no population of marine turtles, can be considered completely safe, even when stable as a result of long term conservation and management. Up to 300,000 turtles are killed each year as bycatch in trawling nets, shrimp nets and longlines for tuna and swordfish.
Tourism is also a major threat to turtles.
The construction of seawalls,, hotels, marinas and the entire infrastructure associated with coastal tourism and commerce have destroyed large areas of turtle nesting beaches around the world. Publications available at the WWF SPP office in Suva, see contact details below.