SEA TURTLE PROGRAMME - Song Saa Foundation Song Saa

S E A T U RT L E P RO G R A M M E
PROJECT TYPE
Endangered species protection,
key habitat protection and
community education.
PROJECT STATUS
Under Development
START DATE
May 2014
BACKGROUND
Historic observations have documented three
species of sea turtle living in the maritime waters of
Cambodia: the green, hawksbill and the loggerhead.
Of these, the green and hawksbill sea turtle are
known to nest on selected sandy beaches across the
Koh Rong Archipelago. Classified as Endangered and
Critically Endangered, respectively, on the IUCN Red
List, the conservation of these species is considered
an imperative by the Song Saa Foundation. The
Foundation is subsequently working on a range
of initiatives to help preserve these unique and
beautiful creatures.
Currently, a key focus of this work is the development
of a comprehensive nest stewardship programme
on the island of Koh Tang, 60 nautical miles from the
Cambodian mainland. Koh Tang is the largest known
nesting site for green sea turtles in Cambodia, with
the creatures slowly crawling up a select number of
the island’s beaches to dig their nests and lay their
eggs in the months of June and July.
individual nests from disturbances. The Foundation
is also developing plans for the creation of a Koh
Tang solid waste management scheme, which will
reduce the amount of debris finding its way onto the
beaches and into the waters surrounding the island.
Traditionally, the survival of these eggs and hatchlings
has been compromised by humans, who collect
the eggs, and the presence of solid waste on the
nesting beaches, which blocks the safe passage of the
newly hatched turtles into the waters surrounding
Koh Tang. The Foundation is seeking to address
these twin problems through a turtle education
programme and the establishment of a turtle nest
stewardship initiative, whereby people from the
local community will be encouraged to protect
The Foundation also plans to undertake surveys on
the nearby island of Koh Prins, in order to verify
its significance as a nesting site for hawksbill turtles
(Critically Endangered, IUCN Red List). If the
creatures are found to nest on this island, then the
Foundation will look to develop a programme that
addresses the major challenges to nest survival on
this island.
OBJECTIVE
PROJECT
The Foundation is seeking to ensure the long term well being of green and
hawksbill sea turtles in the Koh Rong Archipelago by developing and implementing
activities that address the major challenges threatening turtle nests and hatchling
survival. This includes education and awareness raising activities and initiatives
that protect sea turtle nests and hatchlings.
To contribute to the preservation of native sea turtle populations in the Koh
Rong Archipelago, while verifying the use of different nesting beaches in the
region by these creatures.
The organisation is also working to verify the importance of the nearby island
of Koh Prins as a nesting habitat for the Critically Endangered hawksbill sea
turtle. If found to be nesting on this island, the discovery will represent a major
opportunity for conserving this unique but exceedingly rare sea creature, helping
to save it from the threat of global extinction.
IMPACT
ANNUAL BUDGET
>> Improved protection of sea turtle nesting sites on the island of Koh Tang.
>> Verification of the use of the beaches of Koh Prins by nesting hawksbill sea
turtles.
>> Community awareness and participation in sea turtle conservation activities.
>> Increased survival of turtle hatchlings.
Training and education
Incentive Payments
Transport
Equipment
Staff Living Costs TOTAL
$2,600
$3,000
$5,000
$2,200
$1,000
$13,800
CONTACT
Wayne McCallum
+ (855) (0) 77 777 498
[email protected]
songsaafoundation.org

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