We were fortunate to have Moné Jordaan, an intern from the Attitude Foundation. Moné provided a fascinating glimpse into the foundation’s mission followed by an enlightening talk on sea turtles. The talk showcased the impact of the Attitude Foundation’s ongoing efforts in sea turtle conservation.
Sea Turtle Photo Identification
Join Us in Building a Baseline Database for Mauritius’ Sea Turtles
Mauritius lacks official data on its sea turtle population, despite both species found here being endangered or critically endangered. This makes gathering accurate data essential for future conservation efforts. We need your help, especially from divers like you, to accelerate data collection and drive conservation forward.
Why Sea Turtles Matter
Sea turtles are crucial to our oceans. They enhance marine biodiversity by transporting smaller organisms across vast distances. They also regulate populations of sea sponges and jellyfish, preventing overpopulation that could harm slow-growing coral reefs. This, in turn, protects our islands from erosion and dangerous sea conditions.
How You Can Help
Photo identification is a non-invasive, long-term monitoring method. By capturing clear photos of both the right and left facial profiles of sea turtles, we can gather valuable population data and approximate their habitats. This effort will significantly aid in the protection of both the endangered Green sea turtle and critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle.
Participate Safely and Effectively
We emphasize safety for both divers and turtles. Please maintain a safe distance when photographing turtles to avoid causing stress or harm. Remember, even if you can only capture one side of their face, every photo contributes to our data gathering efforts.
Your Impact Matters
When you send us photos of sea turtles not yet in our database, you help us identify new individuals. Divers who photograph these turtles will have the chance to name and “adopt” them. We’ll provide you with an adoption certificate and keep you updated on their progress whenever possible. Join our mission to protect Mauritius’ sea turtles. Your involvement is crucial in safeguarding these incredible creatures and preserving our marine ecosystems for future generations.
Please see the following flyer for information on how to register your pictures!