Community-Based Sea Turtle Conservation Along the Mawtin Coast, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar

This video highlights the inspiring success of the FFI Myanmar Sea Turtle Conservation Project, which has helped transform local community attitudes toward sea turtles. In the past, many people hunted turtles, collected their eggs for food, or sold them for income. Through conservation awareness, education, and community engagement, local residents have become active protectors of these endangered sea turtle species and their nesting habitats.

With strong support from the community, a well-trained patrol team and local volunteers worked together to scientifically monitor turtle nesting beaches, protect nests, and record important conservation data. Their efforts also included rescuing and releasing stranded or accidentally captured turtles back into the sea. During just one year, the project successfully rescued and released more than five sea turtles and returned nearly 2,000 hatchlings to their natural marine environment. In addition, 20 turtle nests were protected from threats such as poaching and disturbance.

These remarkable achievements were made possible within the newly established Kyar Kan and Phong Toe Community-Led Sea Turtle Conservation Area along the Mawtin Coast in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. The project demonstrates how community-based conservation can create positive change, benefiting both local people and wildlife. By working together, the community is helping to ensure a safer future for sea turtles and contributing to the long-term protection of Myanmar’s valuable coastal ecosystems.

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.