Inter-American Convention for Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles Conference of Parties 11

Tuesday 11 June 2024 - Friday 14 June 2024

Location: Ecuador

The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC) Conference of Parties 11 will take place from the 11th - 14th June in Ecuador.
 

The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (“IAC”) is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the legal framework for countries in the Americas to promote the protection, conservation, and recovery of the populations of sea turtles and those habitats on which they depend, on the basis of the best available data and taking into consideration the environmental, socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the Parties (Article II, Text of the Convention). These protection actions cover both nesting beaches and the Parties’ territorial waters.
 
Plymouth Marine Laboratory is an accredited observer of the IAC. Currently PML and the IAC are collaborating to map Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) in relation to the index nesting beaches and critical habitats for sea turtles in the IAC Region. This mapping aims to inform policy and management that enhance the protection of this highly migratory species. The project will be presented next week by the IAC Secretary, Verónica Cáceres, to the IAC Conference of the Parties (COP) as part of the Convention’s collaborations with international organisations, inviting the IAC Parties to contribute to the development of the document. A first draft of this work will be presented to the IAC Scientific Committee at their next meeting in the second half of 2024.
 
The IAC is an excellent example of a how local efforts can protect species at a regional level. PML is now contributing to these efforts to ensure that these magnificent creatures survive for generations to come. 
 
Find out more about the IAC here >>