Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future with Optimism

Dr. Manjula Tiwari, IOSEA Advisory Committee Chair and President of the Ocean Ecology Network, California, shares her thoughts on the milestone reached by the MOU.

"On this 25th anniversary of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia Marine Turtle MOU, I would first like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the extraordinary people working tirelessly to conserve sea turtles and their habitats across this very vast and diverse region.

This MOU provides a vital thread running through all countries in the region. And my hope for the future is that this thread continues to be strengthened into a dynamic and empowered network where governments, partners, stakeholders, with the support of the MOU, can undertake meaningful action for marine turtles, for the oceans, and for the cultures and livelihoods that depend on them.

And the Advisory Committee, with its talented, and skilled and experienced experts, is ready to support the MOU and its partners through providing the best science and conservation practices, by providing sound guidance to help efforts across the region.

Of course, the challenges facing marine turtles are many across this diverse region. But what continues to amaze me is that, despite all these challenges, the people working on the environment and the oceans never give up. These challenges can never erode their hopes. And it is this amazing and stubborn resilience that gives me optimism for the future, for the future of the oceans and the marine turtles."
 

As we celebrate 25 years of the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU, we showcase some of the people, initiatives and communities that have contributed to marine turtle conservation across the region. Visit our Story Map to discover their stories.