The Republic of Palau Sea Turtle

Conservation Education Campaign Yalap P. Yalap

Campaigning for Conservation Diploma of Conservation

Education The University of Kent at

Canterbury September 2002

CONTENTS

Page 1. Introduction 2 2. Stakeholders’ Meeting 7 3. Survey results - pre-campaign 13 4. Conceptual Model Narrative 22 5. Flagship Species: Green & Hawksbill sea turtles 25 6. Habitat & Population Ecology of Hawksbill 37 7. Tasks & Monitoring 54 8. Survey Results – post campaign 95 9. The Future 102 10. References 105 11. Acknowledgements 107

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1. INTRODUCTION

a. Location:

The Republic of Palau comprises a group of small islands in the western pacific. Palau or Belau (local name of Palau) is the western most group of the Caroline Islands lying 821 miles southwest of Guam, 1,035 miles southeast of the Philippines, and 4,172 miles north of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Palau lies between 7 º 20 ‘ north latitude and 134 º 28 ‘ east longitude, about 500 miles above the equator. There are close to 300 high and low islands consisting of volcanic atolls, raised limestone outcrops and reefs. The low atoll and reef islands are mostly situated to the northern and southern extremities of the archipelago, and include Ngeruangel and Kayangel in the north and the Southwest Islands of Sonsorol, Tobi, Fana, Merrir and Helen Reef to the south. The middle of the archipelago consists of volcanic islands including Babeldaob, Koror, Arkebesang and Malakal.

The Rock Islands are raised limestone mushroom-shaped islands extending from southeast of Babeldaob towards the west. Peleliu and Angaur are raised limestone flats just west of the Rock Islands .

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b. People The people of Palau are Micronesians with indo-pacific traits. It is generally believed that they may first came from Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea. Palauans are therefore a mixture of these ethnicities. The total population of people living in Palau is 19,000 of which 12,000 are Palauans. The rest comprise a wide range of nationalities including people from the Philippines and America.

c. Weather Due to its proximity to the equator, Palau’s climate is wet maritime tropical with a high amount of rainfall. The average daily temperature throughout the year is 81ºF while relative humidity is 82%. Water temperature averages about 82 ºF.

d. Biological Importance Palau is known throughout the world for its marine biodiversity. Twice in 1997 and 1998, Palau was voted by readers of Rodale’s Scuba Diving Magazine, as one of the underwater Wonders of the World. Its marine resources are important to the people as the main source of protein. The sea is considered important in people’s daily lives and culture. Legends are filled with marine-life interactions. Control of the resources, extending from the land to the sea is the responsibility of the village. Villages and village leadership have customary control to rights extending beyond their shores. Conservation methods are exercised and integrated into the traditional way of life and “closed seasons” called “Buls” can be imposed by chiefs. The ocean continues to play a significant role in the life and culture of Palauans to this day. Palau’s biological significance shows:

• more than 400 species of hard coral and 300 species of soft coral • the most plant and animal species in Micronesia • more than 1,400 species of reef fish • 7 of the world’s 9 species of giant clam • Micronesia’s only crocodile and dugong (sea cow) populations • Marine lakes that are home to unique non-stinging Mastigias and moon

jellyfish • Lake Ngardok, the largest natural freshwater lake in Micronesia • one of the largest undisturbed forests in Micronesia • the largest number of resident bird species in Micronesia

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e. Protection (Turtles) On the national level, Palau’s sea turtles (hawksbill and green) are protected under Title 24, Division 2: Wildlife Protection, Chapter 12 entitled Protected Sea Life of the Second Supplement to the Palau National Code copyright of 1998. It defines it as being against the law to:

• take any female turtle while she is on land • take turtle eggs at any time • take any turtle during June, July, August, December and January • take, during the open season, any green turtle with a carapace (shell)

length of less than 34 inches • take, during the open season, any hawksbill turtles with a carapace length

of less than 27 inches A person violating any of the provisions of this law can be imprisoned for a period of not more than 6 months, or fined not more than $100, or both. The Division of Conservation and Entomology under the Ministry of Resources & Development has 1 Division Chief and 3 Law Enforcement Officers. Since becoming independent in October 1994, Palau has not joined any international agreements for endangered species. But presently, the Bureau of Resources & Development is collaborating with the Office of the Attorney General (with assistances from the Office of Environmental Response Coordination (OERC), the Bureau of National Resources and Development (BNRD) and the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC)), in reviewing obligations to enable Palau to join the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The office of the President will also present a revised Endangered Species Act to the Palau National Congress for ratification in 2002. The Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Preserve was established in 1956 by the Palau Legislature during the Trust Territory era. Now it is a jurisdiction of Koror State Government. It still is the oldest, of several conservation areas legally established for the protection of the natural environment of Palau. Also known as the “Seventy Islands”, these islands and their beaches are an outlier of the “Rock Islands”, with close proximity to the southwestern reefs providing easy access for turtles from the open ocean. This group of islands also has sea grass beds that support grazing and foraging turtles. The management of the preserve consists mainly of the surveillance and law enforcement activities undertaken by the 17 staff Koror State Conservation and Law Enforcement Department and the Division on Conservation & Entomology under the Ministry of Resources & Development.

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f. Conservation Education Campaign Beginnings

Under an agreement between the Palau Conservation Society (PCS) and RARE Center for Tropical Conservation, a project to raise awareness about Palau’s turtles and marine environment was agreed upon. Before beginning the field component of the project we conducted:

Literature Search Existing information from a variety of sources was gathered and reviewed. Sources included government records, libraries, the internet, NGO’s, local community, local colleges and other institutions. Although the period of the literature search was only one month it was a good way of getting acquainted with the target species. I found myself learning a lot more as the campaign moved along. Two Workshops Two participatory stakeholders meetings were held as part of a site assessment process. The reason for holding these was to build an initial and revised conceptual model, and to look at the factors affecting turtle populations in Palau. An interim period of intensive research with a questionnaire survey was conducted in between the meetings. This helped to check the model and to come up with a clear objective for the field based work program.

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2. STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS

a. Introduction The Stakeholder Meetings provided opportunities to ask the community about possible target areas and species, and needs for protection and management. The conservation education campaign was initiated a little differently than recommended (i.e. use no bias when asking stakeholders about their preferred target species). This was because turtles have been on the wish-list of the Board of Directors of the PCS for a very long time. The Board has previously unanimously decided turtles ought to be the flagship species. It did seem predetermined that the turtles would be chosen. Nevertheless, I went ahead and conducted 2 stakeholders meetings and I introduced a prepared agenda to address the critical problems being faced by the turtles of Palau. People invited were the traditional organization leaders from the states and communities (19 people). Only 6 showed up the first time and 12 the second time. Perhaps more people will show up as we conduct meeting in the future. The meetings were informal with discussions of experiences of turtle harvesting and usage in the villages. Many of the participants lived in Koror, the district center, but travel to their villages during the weekend. They know what goes on in and around the villages and some of them have close ties with the political and traditional leadership. They know about consumption and the take of sea turtles.

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b. Table 1. Stakeholders’ Matrix

Participant/ Stakeholder

Key Issues Interests/Motive Potential Contribution

Consequences

Herman Omelau, President, Belau Boaters Association I

-Lack or care -Potential for cooperation

-Access to boat operators

-Build cooperation

Tony Lomisang, Member, Catholic Parish Council 2

-Lack of regulations -Potential to reach members of Melekeok State

-Access to parish members

-Build knowledge

Norman Blau, Member Angaur State Legislature 1

-Lack of knowledge

-Potential to reach Angaur fishermen

-Introduce state legislation

-Change behavior

Edwin Chiokai, Quarantine Officer, National Gov’t. I

-Lack of community care

-Quarantine cooperation

-Enforcement of regulations

-Build community care

Roman Ridep, Principal, Peleliu Elementary School 1

-Lack of care -Expert fisherman -Knowledge of population

-Build knowledge

Celestino Yangilmau, Self Employed I

-Traditional subsistence

-Expert fisherman -Knowledge of population

-Build knowledge

Dilmei Olkeriil, Director, Council of Chiefs

-Primary School Students

-Students -Lack of care for regulations

-Build knowledge

Florencia Elbelau, Leader Mai Brel Woman’s Org. of Palau 1, 2

-Traditional Customs

-Powerful women of Koror State

-Thinking of tradition only

-Observe regulations

Kathy Kesolei, Member of Women’s Council and also School to Work Prog. 1, 2

Traditional Customs

Women of northern Palau

-knowledge of population decline

-Change behavior, attitude

Reina Yano, Owner, Yano’s Local Food Market I

-Popular Marketplace

-Market Demand -Stop buying from fishermen

-Build cooperation

Remiang Skebong, Leader of Airai Women 1, 2

-Lack of care -Fisherman Wife & Community Leader

-Observe regulations

-Build cooperation, change behavior & attitude

Priscilla Subris, Member, Ngaraard Women Org. I

-Lack of care -Influential women of Nagraard State

-Observe regulations

-Build cooperation capacity

Mista Moros, Koror State RangerI

-Nesting beaches -Conservation & The Law

-Law enforcement

-Public knowledge & cooperation

Jimmy Miller, Boat Operator I

-Fisherman, boat operator

-Subsistence living -Daily knowledge -Season knowledge

Apache, Self Employed Fisherman I

-Dive guide, fisherman

-Subsistence living -Past & present condition

-Life cycle knowledge

Erchar Franz I -Lack of care -Expert fisherman Knowledge of population

-Build knowledge

Ebil Inabo I -Lack of knowledge -Potential to reach Angaur fishermen

-Introduce State legislation

-Build community cooperation

Hector Ngulitel I -Primary earnings Expert fisherman -Earning for a living

Balance between individual & communal interests

Miller Rechelluul I -Lack of care Influencial woman from Nagraard State

-Observe regulations

-Build cooperation capacity

I = Invited; 1 = Attended first meeting 2= Attended second meeting

Hunting

Accidental take from Tuna nets

Hawksbill Turtle

Green Turtle

Palau’s Turtle

Population

Hotel lighting

Illegal harvesting of

eggs

Removal of beach sand for

construction

International Fishing

Practices

Traditional Custom

Local consumption

Government Fishery Policy

Hunting for meat

Market demand

Increasing hotel

development

Interference of habitat

Increased tourism to

Palau

Government Tourism Policy

Insufficient economic

alternatives i.e. in S.W. Isl.

Need for cash

Sale of Shell jewellery

Ineffective/non existent State Law protecting

Turtles

Outdated/poorly Enforced National

Law for Turtles

Traditional Shell

Money

Palauan Culture

Insufficient awareness and appreciation for

Turtle plight

Insufficient awareness of regulations

Lack of Environmental Education Program

Figure 3. Stakeholders’ creation of Conceptual Model of threats to turtles

(see page 9 for detail and page 22 for narrative description)

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Lessons learned

• Ideally, postpone the meeting to accommodate everyone with a better time and date. But then in this instance, things had to move. There were more tasks with deadlines that needed to be attended to.

• appoint an Assistant Education Officer to work together on handling the

various activities going on at the same time. The position should be centrally based in the office following up on things while campaigns and programs are being conducted in the field.

• appointment 3 part-time Field Education Officers to be located on strategic

locations of Palau:

1) North Coast Education Officer: to cover Ngarchelong state on the northern tip of Babeldaob and Kayangel state, an atoll about 50 miles north of Ngarchelong

2) East Coast Education Officer: to cover 4 eastern coastal states of Babeldaob, namely Ngchesar, Melekeok, Ngiwal and Ngaraard

3) West Coast Education Officer: to cover 4 western coastal states of Babeldaob namely Aimeliik, Ngatpang, Ngeremlengui and Ngardmau

This area is vast. Inhabitants are still traditional. During the stakeholders’ meetings and community visits it became clear that the people felt remote from the national government and the national regulations for turtles do not apply to them. It became clear that the national regulations are not clear to them. There is a need for a consistent presence in the community, because right now PCS’s only office is in Koror, the district center, far away from the villages. This will be a tremendous assistance for the overall 10-year strategic plan (1999–2009) of “Protecting Our World Wonder from Ridge to Reef”. The plan has 6 goals that address:

1) marine biodiversity conservation 2) terrestrial biodiversity conservation 3) sustainable resource use and compatible economic development 4) environmental policy and law 5) environmental awareness 6) capacity development within PCS and partner communities

The new capital buildings in Melekeok state, centrally located in the middle of Babeldoab are soon to be completed in 2004. Once a new road (known as The Compact Road - currently under construction) is completed in 2005, development will follow. People will move to Babeldaob and there is a need for a strong environmental education program. In reviewing the current situation, the Society concludes that the most urgent environmental issue facing Palau today is the prospect of rapid, poorly planned physical development wreaking havoc on

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Babeldaob’s valuable natural resources. With 70 % of Palau’s land and 90 % of Palau’s terrestrial biodiversity, development on Babeldaob will drive Palau’s economic and ecological future. Already Babeldaob is experiencing serious problems relating to earth moving and unsustainable land use practices. Contrary to popular opinion, completion of the Compact Road will not solve these problems but only accelerate them by opening up large tracts of virgin forest for development.

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3. SURVEY RESULTS PRE-CAMPAIGN

a. Data Collection Immediately following the first stakeholder meetings and the development of an Initial Conceptual Model, (page 9) I developed a questionnaire survey comprising 35 questions. This survey was designed using Survey Pro software. Types of questions included single-answer, multiple-choice (single answer only), multi-option and open-answer questions. The pre-campaign questionnaire survey was created to collect personal data (ethnicity, age and residence), media preferences and knowledge, behavior and attitudes toward the environment and flagship species. The results allowed a remodeling of the Initial Conceptual Model and helped identify Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound (SMART) objectives for the campaign. They were distributed among 3 enumerators. One surveyed Koror, capital of Palau (where 70 % of Palauans are staying, with home states elsewhere). Another worker surveyed Angaur and Peleliu (including Eang) with a concentration of people from Tobi and Sonsorol states (to the south of the archipelago). The last enumerator covered Babeldaob with 10 states, including Kayangel state, an atoll in the north of the archipelago. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed representing about 4 % of the islands’ local population. Questionnaires were distributed throughout Palau in proportion with population size. All 16 States were sampled with the exception of Sonsorol and Tobi. Prior to distribution, enumerators were given training in survey techniques. Questionnaires were anonymous. Questionnaire distribution commenced on August 22, 2001 and analysis was completed on August 29, 2001. b. Results of Pre-campaign Questionnaire Survey Of the 500 forms distributed, 357 were returned for analysis. Data was entered into Survey Pro. Questionnaire returns were solicited from across Palau. A census in 1990 showed that 68 % of the total population resided in Koror. My pre-campaign survey showed that 54 % of respondents were from this State, possibly under-representing Koror. Survey analysis showed that close to 100 % of respondents were Palauans. Most of them lived in Koror (54 %). The second largest group came from states with beaches or islands with turtle nesting areas; namely Airai, Melekeok and Ngaraard. The states of Angaur and Peleliu had the lowest returns.

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Table 2. Pre-campaign survey respondent’s residency

States Surveyed Residents

1. Koror 54.3 % 2. Airai 8.1 % 3. Melekeok 7.3 % 4. Angaur 6.2 % 5. Ngaraard 7 % 6. Peleliu 2.5 % 7. Ngeremlengui 2.2 % 8. Ngchesar 1.7 % 9. Ngarchelong 1.4 % 10. Ngiwal 1.1 % 11. Aimeliik 0.8 % 12. Ngardmau 0.8 % 13. Ngerchelong 0.8 % 14. Aimellik 0.6 % 15. Hatohobei 0.6 % 16. Ngatpang 0.6 % Others (living abroad) 4 % Totals 100 %

Respondent Descriptions A broad cross-section of age groups was surveyed. Nearly 30 % of people surveyed were between 50 and 59 years of age.

Figure 4. Age Groups (pre-campaign) n= 357

63.7 % of respondents were male; however the gender ratio in Palau is 1:1. This bias could be resolved in future surveys by allocating more time to train the enumerators.

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99.2 % of respondents were Palauan by birth. The largest group by education was high school at 41 %.

Figure 5. Sources of Income (pre-campaign n = 357)

42 % of respondents worked for the government (government statistics show that 43 % of Palauans are employed in government). The rest were divided into private sector, retirees, self-employment, farming, fishing, others and unemployed. Information, Entertainment & Media Preferences More than half of respondents reported listening to the radio for information. Newspapers were the 2nd largest source and television the 3rd. About 37 % watched taped local program channels. The favorite local radio station is the controversial WWFM 89.5 with 54 % of respondents as listeners. The owner/DJ is an outspoken radio announcer. Most preferred listening to the radio in the morning. Newspaper is the preferred form of media (51 %) with Tia Belau as the preferred local newspaper (69 % of newspaper readers). Although 37 % of the respondents say they watch TV, the States of Kayangel, Melekeok, Ngiwal, Angaur, Sonsorl and Tobi do not have television.

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Perception and Knowledge of Palau's sea turtles

Figure 6. Knowledge on status of turtles (pre-campaign n = 357)

Virtually all respondents know that sea turtles are protected in Palau and that they are endangered species.

While less people know the specifics of the laws, knowledge is still high with 74 % understanding that it is illegal to take females, and 81 % that it is against the law to take nesting turtles. Despite this, turtles are seen as a very important part of Palauan culture (69.2 %).

Figure 7. Knowledge on turtle laws (pre-campaign n = 357)

26 % say that turtle meat is a “must” for the Palauan diet. And 34.8 % that it is important in Palauan customs. 76 % of respondents eat turtle meat once a year or more and over 10 % eat it at least once a month.

Almost 40 % reported eating turtle eggs.

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Knowledge of turtle behavior and the status of the species are low: 36 % of respondents believe that female turtles lay every 13 -15 days and 28 % stated that they do not know.

Figure 8. Knowledge of turtle egg-laying (pre-campaign n = 357)

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Fishermen were the group most likely to suggest that turtles lay frequently:

Figure 9. Knowledge on turtle egg-laying frequency (pre-campaign n = 357)

These results may be because of a guess relating to the legend of the Ngemelis Turtle (see page 26). 23 % answered correctly when selecting the reproduction age as 20-34 years of age. However, 29 % of respondents did not know. In question 27 regarding sea turtles returning to their birth beach to nest, 81 % said yes.

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Threats to Turtle Population In the Initial Conceptual Model, key informants noted that hunting, egg collecting and development were major factors influencing the taking of turtles. The survey confirmed that this was a general perception. Interestingly, fishermen reported knowing less than some other occupational groups: Figure 10. Views on threats to turtles, based on occupation.

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When asked if there would always be turtles in Palau 58 % said that this depends on the actions that we undertake today. This varied somewhat by income source and age:

Figure 11. Views on the future of turtles in Palau (by occupation) (pre-campaign n = 357)

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Figure 12. Figure 12. Views on the future of turtles in Palau (by age group)

Views on the future of turtles in Palau (by age group) (pre-campaign (pre-campaign n = 357) n = 357)

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4. CONCEPTUAL MODEL

NARRATIVE

From the results of the first survey, it was agreed at the second meeting, that the Initial Conceptual Model did not need to be revised (see page 9 for conceptual model). Key stakeholders at the first meeting recognized that the population of green and hawksbill sea turtles is declining – the turtles that they see nowadays are usually smaller than 10 years ago. They recognized that fast boats, fishing equipment and certain fishing methods are all contributing to this decline. Hawksbill turtles are hunted for their shells that are used traditionally as money for women and for jewelry. Hawksbill meat is eaten but is less favorable because of its strong odor. Green turtle meat is the most favored. These turtles are hunted for food because the meat does not have a strong odor. Their shells are not considered as good as hawksbills’ but they can also be used for small body jewelry. Eggs from both sea turtles are said to have a distinct taste, and are popular. The direct threats that are influencing the target condition are Hunting sea turtles, Collecting Eggs, and Destruction of Habitats. They are shown as square boxes with red color lines. Turtle meat is delicacy to the Palauan people. The meat is usually provided by one identified local food store. Some traditional customs serve turtle meat. The person who makes the turtle shell money makes more profit out of one large thick piece than three small ones (therefore larger turtles are targeted). The indirect factors that are contributing factors to the direct threats are shown within blue-lined boxes. They are listed as Tourism, Traditional Custom, Market Demand, Insufficient Awareness, Hotel Development and Outdated Laws. Palauan fishermen generally take turtles when they get the chance. It does not matter if it's undersize or if it's male or female. Poachers are those who take turtle eggs and female turtles nesting on the beach. These people are in need of cash, also an indirect factor. The visiting Sonsorol and Tobi States ships carrying lots of green turtles from the Southwest Islands to Koror. Not only turtles but coconut crabs, frigate birds and booby birds for consumption in Koror also. This was revealed to me by Sonsorol legislator Annie Tirso over the telephone and Father Felix Yaoch on a different occasion. The patrol boat of the national government also loads a couple of turtles either at Helen's Reef, Pulo Ana, Tobi, Sonsorol or Meir, which have been received as gifts to the crew. Certain people from Sosorol and Tobi states are also getting cash from government officials for bringing back turtles for them. The national government serves turtle meat during Independence Day of the Republic on

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October 1st. This is the first day of open season so technically it’s legal. But the question is when did they get it? This is another good example of the national government not showing a good example to the public. Another member of the group mentioned that fishermen from her state in Babeldaob get turtles because there are no state laws or they don't have law enforcement. This is also true for female turtles coming up the beach to nest. Many people regard national laws as not applicable to them because they are in the remote village (State) away from Koror where the national government sits. Some key people in the meeting feel that States should have particular laws to their areas relating to the national. This sparked the interest and discussion, saying that that the laws are very old from the Trust Territory time and should be revised. People also feel that the fines are too small as opposed to the profit the poachers make. A good example is, a fisherman can sell a large turtle for $250 during the closed season and pocket $150 after paying a fine of $100. The market demand comes from the local food stores. They are buying turtles from fishermen and claim that they bought the meat during open season that was kept in the refrigerator. The yellow boxes are the contributing factors that may also help or otherwise influence the target condition. Education and information about biology may and can change behavior and attitude. This is testified by one of the women stakeholders, who said that she and her husband did not have the knowledge to direct their behavior regarding turtles (towards turtle-friendly activities). Other boxes include Government Fishery Policy, and Government Tourism Policy. The Government Fishery Policy relates to International Fishing Practices that affects Accidental Take from Tuna Nets which directly threatens sea turtle populations. Government Tourism Policy results in Increased Tourism in Palau and Increasing Hotel Development. Indirect factors are written inside blue-border boxes; Removal of Beach Sand for Construction leads to Interference of Habitat. Lack of Environmental Education Program is an opportunity for an effective intervention to address the indirect factors of Insufficient Awareness of Regulations which leads to Hunting for Meat and Illegal Harvesting of Eggs that are the main threats.

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5. FLAGSHIP SPECIES: Green & Hawksbill

Sea Turtles a. Introduction Throughout the world there are 8 species of sea turtle. Five have been recorded in Palauan waters and two species nest in the islands regularly. The Hawksbill mostly nest in the Rock Islands and the Green Turtle nest mostly in Kayangel, Babeldaob, Merir and Pulo Ana. b. Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Palaun name: Ngasch) Scientific classification

Genus: Eretmochelys Species: imbricata Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudinata Family: Cheloniidae Distribution: The Hawksbill turtle is found throughout the tropics and throughout Micronesia, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the South Pacific islands to the Atlantic Ocean.

It is distinguished from other turtle species by its narrow, pointed beak. Hawksbills inhabit tropical coastal waters around coral reefs. They are omnivorous, consuming a variety of food including sea-grasses, jellyfish, sponges and crustaceans. The carapace is often serrated at the posterior and the carapace scutes overlap, like shingles on a roof. The scutes are bright mottled

brown, orange and gold in coloration. This multicoloured shell is highly valued for jewellery and other luxury items. Nesting occurs throughout the tropical Pacific. Male are identified by their long tails which extend more than a foot. The Palau Marine Profile notes that “The Rock Islands of Palau are an important nesting ground for possibly the largest nesting population of endangered hawksbill turtle in Oceania north of the equator” (Atkinson and Guilbeaux, 1992)

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c. Green Sea Turtle (Palauan name: Melob) Scientific classification Genus: Chelonia Species: mydas Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Cheloniliidae Distribution: Green Turtles are found in temperate waters throughout

Micronesia, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, the South Pacific islands to the Atlantic Ocean.

Green sea turtles are recognized by their round, blunt beak (slightly serrated) and smooth carapace plates (scutes) that do not overlap as they do on the Hawksbill. Adults can grow up to 3 feet in carapace length and weigh up to 300 pounds. They feed primarily on sea-grasses. Adult males are recognized by their long tail.

Green Turtles are so named for the green color of their fat. Like Hawksbills, they forage and nest in the tropics.

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d. Justification for selecting sea turtles as target species

The seas and its resources have always influenced the daily lives of the Palauan people. For millions of years, Palauan society has relied on fish and other organisms found in its coastal waters. Turtles are also important to Palauan legend. One legend speaks of two lovers from the island of Ngemelis. They meet at the island, and while lying on the beach at full moon, they did not notice a turtle came up to nest. When the turtle left it accidentally dragged the grass skirt of the woman. About 15 days later the same turtle came up shore to lay again, still with shreds of the skirt caught on its flipper. This legend supports the egg-laying cycle known to science. Because of their value as meat and as shell ornaments, turtles have become an important part of traditional industries, and are held in the highest regard. They have become part of indigenous customs and are intertwined with the very fabric of the coastal cultures that make up the present-day Republic of Palau. Traditionally in Palau, women use turtle shells as their money during customs –

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exchanging coins made of turtle shell, for food and services. The value of each shell is based on an oral history of the shell origin, and on the size and color of the turtle shell money. Palauans also eat turtle meat. The Southwest Islands of Merir, Pulo Ana, Sonsorol, Tobi and Fanna eat turtles, as it is part of their regular diet. It is recorded in local songs and traditionally the southwest islanders are known for their turtle-eating culture The most significant threats affecting sea turtle populations in Palau appear to be related to human activity;

o direct harvest of turtles by humans o modification and degradation of sea turtle nesting habitat (Guilbeaux,

2001) Milliken and Tokunaga (1987) state “It was estimated in the late 1980s that 90 % of all nests were raided by illegal egg collectors”. The same report adds, “Available information indicates that Hawksbill numbers are declining in Palau.” Maragos (1991) reports that turtle nesting activity has declined to half its former level due to “chronic egg poaching (over 75 % of nests destroyed), hunting for adults, tourism and recreational activities in the Rock Islands”. Turtle researcher, Michael Guilbeaux (2001) has recently published a paper on stakeholder perceptions towards turtles in Palau. In this he writes:

“Early Micronesian societies may have recognized the unique biological characteristics of sea turtles and developed cultural practices that played a role in the long-term maintenance of turtle populations. For centuries, traditional fishing methods and customary rules regarding the use of turtles provided a sound context for the organized management of turtle populations on many islands and in various cultures (McCoy 1974). In traditional Palauan and Western Carolinian societies of Sonsorol and Hatohobei, resource use practices contributed to and were influenced by the status of traditional chiefs (Johannes 1981; Johannes and Black 1981)”.

Traditionally, sea turtle stocks were “managed” by customary laws. Guilbeaux (2001) continues:

“Inside this customary system, local chiefs extend their exclusive control over coastal areas and fishing grounds associated with nearby villages (Johannes 1981). Within this context, exploitation of prized marine animals, which included sea turtles, was closely regulated by chiefs and other traditional authorities (also McCoy 1974; Johannes 1986; Black,

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pers. comm. 2000.) These conditions and social systems appear to have provided a strong framework for the regulations and use of sea turtles. Interaction with European and other foreign powers began a pattern of gradual change in resource management in which resource use become more and more influenced by co modification and introduced management systems.”

Although efforts have been made in Palau to start sea turtle conservation and enforcement over recent decades, it has become clear to many that overall management of marine turtle resources has remained inadequate to ensure sustainable populations (or to even reduce the likelihood of local extinctions). Sea turtle populations in Palau have long been perceived to be in a state of decline and /or ill management (Owen 1977, Johannes 1986). In some areas, turtle nesting populations are known to have diminished to a mere fraction of what they once were. As standards of living increase and market economies continue to develop in contemporary Palau sea turtles are increasingly involved in commercial activities. Guilbeaux (2001) adds:

“In recent decades, Palau’s government appears to have chosen policy paths of least resistance, such as supplemental attempts to hatch and raise hawksbill turtles artificially through mariculture, rather than placing stricter limitations on sea turtle use or providing greater enforcement of existing turtle laws. Since Palau’s autonomy and its newfound ability to make and follow its own rules, the situation with respect to local turtle conservation and management has remained in a precarious state. Compliance with, and enforcement of existing regulations has been poor for decades. It appears, however, that while turtle populations have been declining, not enough effort has gone into enforcement, prosecution, surveillance, or any other action capable of curtailing the reduction of already diminishing marine turtle populations”.

Guilbeaux concludes,

“The issue of customary use lies at the heart of the dilemma, for while it is in Palau’s best interest to conserve and maintain its turtle populations so that customary use can continue, the fact that sea turtles provide food and economic benefit to Palauans makes it uncomfortable for legislators to take steps in the direction of stricter regulation of turtle take”.

It appears that the greatest challenge to sea turtle management in Palau lies at the community and stakeholder level.

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From May 2000 to May 2001, the PCS collected information from a variety of sources related to sea turtle management within the Republic of Palau. Consultations with relevant stakeholders proceeded in a series of three steps: 1) preliminary interviews with knowledgeable individuals 2) discussions held by various stakeholder groups 3) focused interviews that complemented group discussion results and followed up on topics of particular concern and interest This research was coordinated by Michael Guilbeaux and provides context for this paper. Stakeholders’ views on sea turtle management-related issues, themes, and alternatives were discussed and assessed in a total of 7 group consultations and 25 interviews. Topics included:

o the value of turtles in a modern and cultural context o community perceptions of turtle use o perceptions on the current status of sea turtle resources o the perceived effectiveness of current regulations o current views and suggestions for proposed management alternatives

Overall, the compiled results of Guilbeaux’s consultations and interviews suggest the need for a much greater degree of attention to sea turtle management and conservation within the Republic of Palau. While sea turtle resources are highly valued in Palau, long-standing management approaches have proven to be inadequate in terms of providing effective, sustainable management and use of local sea turtle populations. Contributing factors to this condition include weak national interest to pursue stricter measures for sea turtle management, inherent difficulties with enforcement, and other problems linked to inhibiting social contexts. Despite these obstacles, there exist positive elements in contemporary Palauan society that may influence responsive and precautionary measures required to contribute to the recovery and the sustainable management of local turtle populations. Other key findings of Guilbeaux’s study include:

“Groups consulted unanimously perceived that local sea turtle resources are declining… Nearly all participants perceived that both foraging and nesting populations of Hawksbill and Green turtles have declined within Palau over the past 10 to 30 years. This perception is not new, as it has been reported for decades in sea turtle management reviews. Fishermen indicate that sightings of large sea turtles have decreased steadily in past years. Likewise, turtle nesting has also been found to be in decline on most beaches, and on some to have ceased virtually altogether. Palauan women report that turtle shell money (toluk) is noticeably smaller in size than those produced in previous years.”

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These findings by Guilbeaux are confirmed by my own work. Two stakeholder meetings were held and the nation-wide questionnaire survey conducted. In this survey, 357 people answered a total of 35 questions. Respondents were asked whether they believe sea turtles to be endangered. Over 90 % said “yes”. In the same survey, respondents were asked if there will always be sea turtles in Palau. From the analysis of data, it is clear that Palauans believe the species to be in decline and that form of concerted action is required.

Figure 13. Views on Future of Turtles (all respondents) (pre-campaign n = 357)

Guilbeaux notes:

“The commercial sale of sea turtle products is increasing. While subsistence and cultural uses remain important aspects of direct harvest of sea turtles in Palau, there is a perception that turtles are being increasingly hunted for economic benefit. Many fishermen stated, in fact, that they would rather not hunt turtle because they have noticed the depletion of local turtle stocks. However, the growing market for green turtle meat and turtle shell makes it very difficult for them to pass up the opportunity for quickly-earned cash. Concern is expressed about the increasing frequency and number of green turtles being transported abroad in vessels returning from the Republic’s Southwest Islands to Koror, with many of these turtles destined for informal commercial sale. Tourist gift and jewelry stores now carry a wider array of hawksbill turtle shell products than ever before. Despite the fact that their export contravenes international CITES regulations.

Data from the September 2001 Questionnaire Survey (n=357) showed that while the majority of respondents disagreed with the statement that ‘turtle meat is a must for the Palauan diet (figure 14), more than 70 % eat turtle meat at least once a year, and more than 10 % eat it MORE than once a month (figure 15).

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Figure 14. Views on the need for turtle meat in diet. (pre-campaign n = 357)

Figure 15. Frequency of eating turtle meat. (pre-campaign n = 357)

Figure 16. Frequency of eating turtle eggs. (pre-campaign n = 357)

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Consumption of turtle eggs, is less common, but still practiced. When asked what is the main threat to turtles 43 % said hunting and 18 % said egg collecting. Another key finding of Guilbeaux’s work is that;

“Beyond knowing that national sea turtle regulations exist, few people know the specifics of these regulations…a lack of understanding and/or knowledge about current regulations was prevalent. Furthermore, a lack of basic knowledge of sea turtle biology and enforcement activities hindered judgment as to whether or not existing laws were adequate. Information on sea turtle biology shared with participants often lead to revisions in their suggestions for improving localized sea turtle management”.

Results from my questionnaire survey tended to support Guilbeaux’s statement. Most people were aware that:

a) laws exist to protect turtles (95.8 %) b) there are laws prohibiting taking turtles from the beach (81.9 %) However, knowledge of specific regulations is low with only 20.3 % knowing that the fine for taking turtles during the closed season is a $100:

Figure 17. Knowledge of penalties (pre-campaign n = 357)

Guilbeaux adds;

“Many identified a critical need for clear standards under which turtle regulations can be enforced. Insufficient enforcement was among the most often cited reason for the current problems facing local turtle populations……Not only is enforcement of turtle regulations difficult from an operations point of view but also the practice of selective enforcement and selective prosecution pose obstacles to stakeholder compliance and

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cooperation. Many felt that those with money or status could easily violate existing regulations with little concern for punishment, a condition they felt severely undermines the general public’s compliance and support of sea turtle regulations.”

In a survey conducted by myself, when asked "What do you think should be done to reduce the declining populations of Palau’s sea turtles?” (an open question) almost 30 % of respondents mentioned enforce and/or strengthen existing regulations. The two stakeholders meetings also noted that ineffective/non-existence state law protecting turtles and outdated/poorly enforced national laws for turtles were factors influencing Palau’s turtle population.

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Finally, Guilbeaux’s work showed that;

“More information on Palau turtles is desired by the general public…Those who depend on, or value, turtle resources frequently requested more information”.

Guilbeaux observes that it was often suggested to focus on sea turtle awareness and educational campaigns on the young. Many felt that older individuals have a strong preference for turtle meat and that awareness would be better received by younger generations. At the same time, it was recognized that elders have a significant roll to play in promoting the conservation and recovery of Palau’s remaining sea turtle populations. In Guilbeaux’s study there was a high degree of consensus amongst those he interviewed that “increased education and sharing of information was thought by many to be key to conservation efforts. Directed and sustained outreach and awareness programs needed to occur, suggested many, in order to effect necessary change in prevailing attitudes”. It was suggested that because taste, habits and attitudes towards eating turtles were not as well developed in children as in their adult counterparts, that conservation and awareness efforts would be more effective if aimed at Palau’s younger generations. Guilbeaux writes:

“Many suggested education was a key factor to help manage and conserve sea turtles. Sharing information about biological uniqueness of turtles was viewed as a crucial way to gain public support for recovery efforts and increased regulatory enforcement”.

Outreach and awareness programs that promote sharing of ideas were seen as essential and not to be neglected. Participants in Guilbeaux’s stakeholder meetings felt that special attention should be given to the way in which information on sea turtle conservation is shared with Palauan audiences in order to ensure the best opportunity to modify complacent attitudes. The importance of educating the youth was clearly emphasized, together with a need to be more innovative with respect to turtle conservation awareness and to sustain conservation and education programs over the long term. Palau’s Marine Profile (Guilbeaux & Scott Atkinson, 1992) agrees, adding that it is important to integrate other management strategies with “increased public education of turtles and training of national staff in turtle conservation”. Past RARE Center campaigns have resulted in increased knowledge about the endemic Palau Fruit Dove (Biib) and helped smooth the passage of legislation protecting the dugong. It is hoped that a campaign focusing on turtles could lead the way to a moratorium on the taking of turtles and their eggs in Palauan waters,

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in particular those taken for commercial use or traded from the Southwest Islands. Guilbeaux writes:

“a complete ban on all take and uses of turtles would be the surest way to allow species recovery. Other direct and indirect threats (e.g., degradation of nesting and foraging habitat) need to be eliminated or significantly reduced.”

The status of Palau’s sea turtles is marginal at best. If a comprehensive conservation program that includes community outreach is not undertaken immediately, and if current trends hold any predictive value, nesting reduction and current conditions of threats do not bode well for the continued maintenance of local sea turtle populations.”

Palau’s Marine Profile concludes;

“Concerted conservation actions are needed to prevent the extirpation of nesting sea turtles from Palau”.

For these reasons I believe both the Hawksbill and Green turtles make an ideal flagship species to focus on the campaign. In addition: 1. The PCS is promoting Ridge to Reef protection. It is pushing its outreach program for the Palau Fruit Dove providing a forest focus. The turtle which nest on land but feeds in the ocean provides an excellent link between the two biomes. 2. Sea grass beds are particularly threatened habitats in Palau. They are being degraded by run-off, sedimentation, deforestation and erosion. By using the turtles (which feed on the sea grass) as flagship species, we will be able to take the opportunity to talk about these ecosystems too. 3. To support the campaign, the Koror State Rangers, in cooperation with the Marine Turtle Research Program of the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, have recently placed a satellite transmitter on a female hawksbill (ngasech) turtle found in the Rock Islands. A green turtle (melob) from Kayangel will be tagged later this year. An impulse from the transmitter located on the turtle’s shell is relayed to observers in Hawaii and Koror via communications satellite. Because there is very little information available about the migration patterns of Palau’s turtles, the information obtained through this tagging program will be important for future management of Palau’s turtle population. The information will also be used to support the A Uel a Sechelid (turtles are our friends) campaign. Over the next two weeks, all the schools in Palau will receive large maps on which children can plot the daily movement of the tagged turtles. During October and November, educational teams will visit each of the schools to teach children

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about the biology of the turtle and important conservation measures. To make the campaign more exciting for the students, there will be contests to name the tagged turtles and to guess their location by the end of this school year. This opportunity again provides a linkage between programs and supports the justification of using the turtle for the campaign 4: The recent publication, Uel er a Belau (policy review and assessment of stakeholder perceptions related to sea turtle management in the Republic of Palau) by the PCS (Guilbeaux, 2001) provides an excellent foundation upon which the campaign can build. This document has been used and quoted from a lot in this justification paper and I acknowledge my appreciation to the author and to PCS for allowing me to use and quote from it.

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6. HABITAT AND POPULATION ECOLOGY

of the HAWKSBILL Eretmochelys imbricata

a. Introduction This is a review concentrating on hawksbill sea turtles of the Republic of Palau. It summarizes existing data based on their habitat and population ecology. It is compiled with hope that it will assist with immediate action to change existing laws in the Olbiil Era Kelulau (National Congress) and to the implementation of a traditional “Bul” (moratorium) by the Council of Chiefs to help the recovery of nesting adult for future generations of Palau. There has been a pilot project by the Micronesian Marine Culture Demonstration Center (MMDC) for hawksbill sea turtles with several research projects and reports. They were made with recommendations for the recovery of Palau’s sea turtles. Although this has resulted in a decade of research, monitoring and surveying, along with previous studies, there is still a decline of population and an absence of adult hawksbills in Palau. This has been a concern for several years. It was the intention of PCS that this conservation education campaign is based on hawksbill sea turtles of Palau hence the theme A Uel a Sechelid (turtles are our friends). A range of assignments was carried out towards a Diploma in Conservation Education (all in collaboration with the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent in Canterbury, U.K) and The RARE Center for Tropical Conservation (who also sponsored my campaign). One such assignment was an analysis of the biology of the turtles. Topics discussed here species distributions, habitat types, feeding and breeding biology, site requirements, population size and/or density, population trends, reproductive rate, predators and competitors.

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b. Overview of hawksbills Sea turtles have lived in the oceans for over 100 million years. In the last 50-100 years, 8 species of sea turtles remain. The hawksbill sea turtle is listed endangered by the IUCN (IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, 1990) and the USA government (Endangered Species Act of 1973) and is protected by Palauan law. It is included in the proposed Endangered Species Act that is still being reviewed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This means that this species of sea turtle may become extinct if the causes of their decline continue unabated. For many years hawksbill sea turtles have had several functions in the lives of the Palauan people. The eggs and flesh have provided food. Its shell has served a wide variety of ornamental, cultural and practical uses. Various kinds of exploitation are threatening the hawksbill with extinction in many parts of its range. Population numbers have reduced throughout the Palauan Archipelago because of the relentless pursuit by man. Hawksbills can grow to about 93 cm weighing 145 pounds. They are smaller than the green turtle and have a brown-black carapace and a long beak-like mouth. This type of turtle has overlapping scutes (scales) on the carapace (shell) that are used to make tortoise shell jewelry and the “toluk” (Palauan money for women). The shell jewelry has long been popular among tourists coming to Palau from Asian countries especially Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, and Hong Kong. c. Life cycle Adult male and female turtles migrate from feeding grounds to nesting beaches, and mating takes place in or close to the shallow waters. The females mate with more than one male. After mating the males return to the feeding grounds, while the females move into areas beside the nesting beaches. They possess an instinctive drive, as well as navigational capacity, to return to their natal site. Sea turtles need “imprint” the geomagnetic field of their natal site which changes with latitude, allowing them to determine their north and south position on the earth’s surface and allow them to return to it as adults (Light et al., 1991). The navigational signals that guide the migration of hawksbill turtles remain a mystery. Their sense of smell may play a role, since marine turtles are known to possess fine discrimination of soluble chemicals. Celestial cues and sensitivity to other environmental markers may also be involved. More likely, all hawksbill turtles share a capacity to rapidly learn cues to the location of their nesting beach during a critical period of early life. Hawksbill turtles lay a maximum of 130 round white eggs by dropping them into an egg chamber in the sand. The female hawksbill turtle returns to the beach after 13 to 15 days to lay another batch of eggs, repeating the same cycle, depending upon the number of eggs she is carrying.

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Female hawksbill turtles lay more than one clutch in a season and return to the same beach to nest. However, turtles do not lay eggs every year. Nesting female hawksbill turtles this year are not the ones from last year. Most of them return to nest between 2 and 8 years after their last breeding season.

Once the hatchlings break out of the eggs they take a few days to dig their way up to the surface as a group. When the temperature is cooler, usually at night, the hatchlings come out of the nest and head for the water. Upon reaching the water they will swim constantly for 24 hours to get as far away as possible. It is believed that the hatchlings are driven by instinct to pick up a magnetic field and follow it in a straight line out to the open sea. Those that survive to cross the reef flat swim until they reach deep water. It is also believed that young turtles are then moved about by the ocean currents, where they drift for the first few years. Turtles are not usually seen again

until their carapace is 35-40 cm long when they move to live and feed in shallow waters. No one knows precisely where they go for the next several years, but most scientists suspect that they drift in surface currents and ocean gyres. During this phase, their shells are bluish black on top and ivory white underneath – a coloration that makes them difficult to spot from both below and above the ocean’s surface. Perhaps they traverse entire ocean basins amid rafts of floating debris, feeding on the small animals and plants that live among these clumps of vegetation. Eventually the juveniles begin to forage near the coast. They do not become reproductively mature until they are between the age of twenty and thirty years old. d. Range Hawksbill turtles are distributed throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions, generally occurring from 30 º north to 30 º south latitude within the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and associated bodies of water. e. Habitat In the general sea turtle life cycle hatchlings survive in the open ocean during their “lost years”. In this beginning stage of life, hawksbill hatchlings hide among drifting debris eating mostly algae and small organisms. During the juvenile years, when their carapace is generally 35 to 40 cm long, they move to foraging grounds where they will start feeding on both animals and plants. They depend upon sea grass and/or coral reef habitats for food and refuge. When a young hawksbill converts from a pelagic ocean feeder to a benthic reef feeder, it will find a foraging territory within which it will stay until otherwise displaced. As the animal grows from juvenile to adult, it will shift its territory to optimize foraging

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conditions, moving from a shallow water habitat to a deeper water habitat as it becomes physically capable of deeper dives. There is some evidence that hawksbill populations distribute themselves by size according to the depth of the foraging habitat. Small juveniles with a carapace length of 25-55 cm are mostly found in shallow marine habitats near land. Adult hawksbills are usually found far from the most shallow coral reef system. f. Feeding sites Foraging hawksbills are typically found feeding in vicinities of rock or reef habitats and lagoons in shallow tropical waters with little turbidity (Witzell 1983, Recovery Plan 1997). This hawksbill characteristic is related to its preference for feeding on encrusting organisms, particularly certain sponges. They are omnivorous feeding on crustaceans, jellyfish, mollusks, algae and sea grass. The hawksbill’s sharp, narrow pointed beak provides a useful tool for picking selected food items from cracks and crevices in the coral substrate. In Palau, a post-nesting hawksbill (known as Ms.Ngerukeuid) had a telemetry satellite transmitter (donated by the U.S. National Fishery Services in Hawaii) attached to her shell. She regularly appeared at her favorite foraging area known locally for its diverse reef systems. g. Nesting & reproduction The nature of nesting for hawksbill turtle is discrete. Visual evidence of hawksbill nesting is the least obvious among the sea turtle species. They often select remote pockets of infrequent sandy beaches and move along edges where the sand ends or with little exposed sand to leave traces of crawl markings.

According to villagers during the turtle Conservation Education Campaign (CEC) this year, sparse nesting is widely scattered between Ngaruangel and Kayangel atolls in the north. They also occur in Ngaraard, Ngiwal and Melekeok states on

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the eastern coast of Babeldaob. From Ngerduais to Tiebakl and Ngidch, a group of Rock Islands east of Airai state to northeast of Koror state, nesting occurs consistently but in low numbers. The Rock Islands in the southern lagoon of Palau (Koror State) are well known to be the most important nesting area for hawksbill in the Palauan Archipelago. These islands are generally small, eroded, uplifted limestone remnants with steep sides and infrequent sandy beaches. Thirty or more beaches in the area can support nesting, including the Ngerukeuid Islands as the major nesting sites (comprising the Seventy Island Nature Reserve). Four other groups of Rock Islands that are also important, namely Omekang, Kmekumer, Ngkesiil, Ngeruktabel, Macharchar, Ngemelis and Ulong. More than 30 beaches in these areas can support nesting throughout the year with modest nesting activity in December, January and June, July and August. But there is a dwindling nesting population that has reduced from 60 to 20 estimated annually (Guilbeaux 2002, unpublished report). Ten years of nesting activity records from the Rock Islands (Milliken and Tokunaga 1987, Balazs 1990, Maragos 1991) have been collected by personnel associated with the Republic of Palau Bureau of Marine Resources and Development, Division of Marine Resources, and in particular, by MMDC and its Marine Turtle Head Start Project. A total of 525 nests have been located at 40 sites during the last 9 years (Maragos 1991). From these records, Maragos reported an average of 58 nests found per year (1982-1990). Thus the Rock Islands of Palau could be the most important Hawksbill nesting habitat remaining in Micronesia (Maragos 1991). Males can be distinguished from females by their longer, thicker tail that extends well beyond the posterior part of the carapace. Mating often occurs at the surface in shallow waters neat nesting beaches. A male will use his long heavy claws and tail to hold onto the female's carapace. Copulation may last for several hours. Size at first nesting is generally around 57-73 cm in carapace length. Hawksbills migrate from distant foraging grounds to their nesting beaches to lay eggs on a regular basis between 2-8 years after their last breeding. Nesting occurs 3-5 times during a nesting year, separated by 13-15 days. They generally lay an average of about 130 eggs. Incubation period is between 60 to 70 days, depending upon the temperature of the nest. The temperature of the nest will determine the sex ratios of the eggs. The higher the temperature, the more there are female hatchlings. Cool sand temperatures mainly produce male hatchlings and the eggs take longer to hatch. Natural “imprinting” of the specific beach where they were born is also an important process for the hawksbill turtle. This process starts between the nest and the crawl to the ocean where the female hatchlings pick up the geomagnetic field to be able to return to nest in the future.

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h. Population size and trends Because of the declining hawksbill sea turtle population the MMDC began a Head Start Project from 1982 to 1991 to help address the issue. Current field estimates are as few as 20 nesting female hawksbills a year in Palau. A healthy population would be 50 to 60 nesting females a year. Stock estimation is an important sea turtle management priority. Numbers of adult hawksbill females using Palauan nesting beaches have not been fully determined. Hatchling success of natural nests (in situ clutches) is also unknown, since most clutches in the past have been taken by egg poachers or moved to the MMDC Head Start project. They are found associated with a variety of reef structure types, including both patch reefs and steep reef slopes. There is very limited information on recorded sea turtle nesting in Palau based on collective consultation with numerous individuals, organizations and state and national agencies. Only a small number of records of local observations were available, as most nesting information had been collected with the assistance of outside scientists. The few who were consulted comprise of the Division of Marine Resources, Division of Conservation and Entomology, The Nature Conservancy and relevant individuals. Survey results from January to July 1992 show 33 nests as conducted by Guilbeaux and Atkinson and interviews with the MMDC turtle hatchery staff. A 1992-93 Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) of Palau by The Nature Conservancy states that harvesting rates of turtles in the islands is exceeding the reproductive potential of the turtles. i. Migration Turtles are migratory animals, and there is still much to learn about their behavior. Turtles tagged on nesting beaches by researchers have been found in feeding grounds. Some travel over thousands of kilometers to nest even though a beach may be close to the feeding ground. j. Threats Historically humans and their activities have been the greatest threat to hawksbill sea turtles. There are also several natural predators. Crabs, birds and monitor lizards eat young turtles. Domestic introduced species - dogs and cats – predate turtles. If hatchlings reach the reef flat, they may be taken by fish and sharks. Where hawksbill turtles live, such as in the reefs where they feed, fishermen chase on speedboats. With the advent of modern technology such as spear guns, flashlights and coolers, hunters have the upper hand. Turtles are slaughtered and hidden in coolers and later kept in freezers for long term planning. This is another factor affecting the fast decline in the range of islands that support foraging and nesting population. The breakdown of traditional

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cultures is another factor because people obeyed traditional laws before modern western cultures blended in. Demand for fashion jewelry, products in gift shops and cooked meat sales in food markets is contributing to the demise of these animals. Over harvesting for sustenance, for jewelry fashion and for cultural products such as the toluk is out of control. The collection of eggs and nesting females are prohibited all year round, but are still eaten. With the advent of innovative cooking, meat is also consumed because its strong smell can be eliminated. k. Problems Since western contact, Palauans have held the reputation for being the best fishermen in Micronesia. Today outboard motors and imported runabouts have replaced dugout canoes, but subsistence fishing remains important, especially in the outlying villages. In Palau turtles are hunted for food. They are caught with spears on speed boats. Sometimes the females that come ashore to nest are turned on their backs before or after they lay their eggs. Turtle eggs are also used as a food source. Today, the use of motor boats and an increase of the human population mean that isolated areas where turtles nest or feed are easier to get to. Another casual activity is rearing turtle hatchlings as pets, and so more turtles are taken. Although there are many laws protecting sea turtles, they are not well enforced. For people living on outer islands, turtles are a fresh source of protein. In Koror, the main island of Palau, meat and eggs are eaten at traditional feasts and are sold in local markets. In Palau, hawksbill sea turtles are killed for their shells. The scutes are used to make Toluk, traditional money for women that are exchanged during customs. Accidental killing of turtles occurs in fishing nests where the trapped turtles drown as they become entangled in the nets underwater. Turtles Excluder Device (TED) is a special net designed to automatically release trapped turtles, but they are not used. TEDs are not mentioned on Foreign Fishing of the Palau National Code. There are 3 commercial fishing companies located in Palau. Palau claims 200 nautical miles for Extended Fishery Zone and Exclusive Economic Zone. Marine pollution is also a problem for turtles. Turtles may mistake plastic for food that can clog their throats, or they can become tangled in abandoned fishing nets. Oil that has been spilled from ships blocks the throats and jaws of small turtles, and other poisonous chemicals released into the sea may also cause death. Hawksbill sea turtle populations of Palau are severely declining due to over-exploitation. Due to the increase in human population within Palau islands, there

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is an associated increase in toluk-making for customs. Coastal hunters kill turtles to sell, or to feed their families. And so numbers of turtles continue to plummet. This could soon lead to the extinction of hawksbill sea turtle populations. l. Education The need for greater public awareness, understanding and cooperation for the protection of Palau’s sea turtles is the greatest conservation need and challenge. Enforcement will always be constrained by the fact that many violators will be friends and relatives of the regulators. Finally it may be sensible and practical to review existing Palauan laws and regulations to see how they could be strengthened to protect and conserve Palau’s hawksbill sea turtle for our future generations.

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Babe

ldao

b

REPUBLIC OF PALAU

km 20 0

7º 20' N

134º 10' E

Koror

Peleliu

Angaur

Kayangel

Ngeruangel Reserve

Northern

Ngardmau

Ngeremlengui

Ngatpang

Aimeliik

Ngarchelong

Ngaraard

Ngiwal

Melekeok

Ngchesar

Airai

WESTERN PACIFIC Hawaii

Palau

New Zealand

Main Islands

Southwest Islands

Sonsorol

Hatohobei Helen Atoll

REPUBLIC OF PALAU

Figure 18. Map of Palau

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Figure 19. Rock Islands of the Southern Lagoon - important nesting sites.

Map of Principal Nesting Beaches of Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

(Produced for Ecology & Population Habitat for Hawksbill Sea Turtles of Palau by PCS, 7/02)

Ulong

Ngerukeuid & Kmekumer

Omekang

Ngemelis Macharchar

Ngeruktabel

Koror

Peleliu

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Table 3. 1992 monthly number of turtle nests in rock islands

LOCATION TOTALS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL Ngebedangel 4 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 Kmekumer (4) 7 0 1 0 0 1 2 3 Ngerukeuid (6) 6 0 1 2 0 0 1 2 Iyuuch 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Omekang (3) 7 0 0 2 2 0 1 2 Ngkesiil 5 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 Ngerkumel 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0

TOTALS 33 3 5 6 3 3 4 9

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Table 4. Threat checklist for hawksbill sea turtles in Palau. Threat Code

Nesting Environment Directed take – eggs 1 Directed take – turtles 1

Increased human presence

1

Coastal construction 3 Nest predation 3 Beach erosion 3 Artificial lighting 3 Beach mining - Beach vehicle driving - Exotic vegetation - Beach cleaning - Beach replenishment - Other 3a

Marine Environment Directed take 1 Natural Disasters - Disease/parasites ? Algae/sea grass/reef degradation

3

Environmental contaminants

?

Debris (entangle/ingest) - Fisheries (incidental take)

-domestic waters P -international P

Threat Predation ? Boat collisions - Marina/dock development

P

Dredging - Dynamite fishing - Oil exploration/development

-

Power plant entrapment - Construction blasting -

Key: 1 = major problem 2 = moderate problem 3 = minor problem 3a = debris on beach

- = not current problem ? = unknown P = known problem but extent unknown

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YEAR BOAT TRIPS

NESTS FOUND

NESTSWITH EGGS

NESTS WITHOUT EGGS

NESTS WITH EGGS/ TRIPS

TOTAL NESTS/ TRIPS

% POACHING

1982 24 55 17 38 0.70 2.29 69 1983 32 81 14 67 0.44 2.53 83 1984 26 71 10 61 0.38 2.73 86 1985 26 57 9 48 0.35 2.19 84 1986 32 44 15 29 0.47 1.38 66 1987 49 58 24 34 0.49 1.18 59 1988 61 52 12 40 0.20 0.85 77 1989 40 62 14 48 0.35 1.55 77 1990 27 45 10 35 0.37 1.67 78 9 yrs. 317 525 125 400 0.39 1.66 76

Table 5. Yearly Trends Extracted from Sea Turtle Recovery Plan for the Republic of Palau

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7. TASKS and MONITORING a. Objectives & Workplan The stakeholders' meetings agreed on a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound (SMART) main objective which is: to promote “support of a complete moratorium on commercial turtle-taking from the traditional chiefs with an introduced legislation by May 2002.” Another supporting intervention is when Palau becomes a Party to the United Nation's International Union of Conservation and Nature. Hopefully, patriotism will tie stakeholders to recognize international laws and regulations relating to national independence. Goal: To restore Palau's sea turtle population for future generations. Such that there will be no less than an annual average of 60 nesting hawksbill turtles and 300 nesting green turtles in Palau by 2020. (The specific target numbers can be adjusted in consultation with marine experts). Main Objective: Promote the introduction of a complete moratorium on commercial turtle taking from the traditional chiefs, with an introduced legislation by May 2002. The campaign’s key messages will include the need for a moratorium the commercial take of turtles, the sale of new toluk shell and the movement of turtles from the Southwest Islands. Objective 1: a: By the end of the project at least 51 % of students in the Republic of Palau will understand the importance of conserving Palau's sea turtles and can give 3 reasons for doing so. And, b: By May 31st 2002, 75 % of Palau’s 4000 elementary and high school children will have signed a petition in support of a moratorium on the prohibition of taking sea turtles and that this petition will have been presented to the State and National leadership (see also Objective 2). Factors in Conceptual Model Targeted by Objective: a: Insufficient awareness and appreciation for Turtle plight, and b: Insufficient awareness of regulations. These indirect factors are linked to a: Hunting for meat; b: Illegal harvesting of eggs; and c: Outdated/poorly Enforced National Law for turtles.

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Project Assumptions: 1: During the initial Stakeholder meeting participants noted that members of the general public – including school children – were unaware of the plight of Palau’s turtles and the legislation that afford them protection. This fact was collaborated with data collected from a questionnaire sample that sampled 4 % of the Palauan population and from published background materials. 2: It is assumed that outreach and education activities will lead to significant changes in knowledge of those exposed to the messages Underlying Assumptions: 1: If children learn about the importance of turtles and turtle habitat they will take actions, such as signing a petition, to conserve them. And, that in delivering this petition, as well as in talking with their parents, this could encourage changes in policy, such as the establishment of an effective moratorium. 2: That different materials and approaches are required to reach the general public, school children, fishermen and government officials. And, that a fun, innovative program that includes costumes, comics and pins is one such approach to target children. Activity 1 (A1) Visit every elementary and high School in Palau and to talk to as many children as possible. These talks will highlight the plight of Palau’s Turtles, their natural history and the threats that they face, as well as the importance of the marine environment in which they live.

Why do this Activity?: In order for school children living in communities within the islands to better understand the life cycle and migration of Palau's sea turtles and share information to their parents, and to encourage them to sign a nation-wide petition. How will this activity be carried out: School visits with all the collaborating agencies, i.e. Palau International Coral Reef Center, Division of Marine Resources and Koror Marine Rangers will commence in October. This will start in the north at Kayangel State with school visits during the day and community visits during the night at community centers. All trips are overnight at each state or villages. All visits to all States will end at Angaur state in the south by the end of November. Three different presentations will be divided into 1. Kindergarten to second grade, 2. third to fifth grades and 3. sixth to eight grades according to their level of learning. Visits will talk about biology tying into culture. Materials will be basic with different presentations but there will be a uniform concept. Staff from the agencies will alternate the trips. The ministry of education has approved

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this schedule. A total of 4,200 students will be addressed during this campaign.

Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap with assistance from PCS, Palau International Coral Reef Center, Koror Marine Law Enforcement, Palau International Coral Reef Foundation and Divisions of Marine Resources and Conservation and Entomology under the Ministry of National Resources and the Council of Chiefs.

Who will this activity target: All 4200 school children of the Republic of Palau including local communities. Where will this activity take place: In all 16 Elementary Schools and 8 High Schools across Palau When will this activity take place: Between October 3rd and November 30th. Assumptions: The Department of Education, School Principals and Traditional Chiefs approve visit Pre-requisites: Visit approval, production of badges, costume and school song as described in RARE Center’s manual: Promoting Protection Through Pride. Activity 2: (A2): To produce a coloring book, activity and fact sheet for school children, providing information on Palau’s Turtles, their status and protection, as well as the kinds of activities that children can do to help conserve them. This will include signing a petition for presentation to the National and State Governments. This task also provides opportunities for local government and private sectors sponsorship. Why do this activity: In order for school children living in communities within the islands to accurately understand the biology of sea turtles and the importance of conservation and to disseminate information to their parents. How will this activity be carried out: The project counterpart with the authorization from the Ministry of Education will coordinate with principals and teachers the science materials for each presentation. Who will be responsible for this activity: CEC Project counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap. For continuity, all the above mentioned collaborating agencies will support and assist the activities. Who will this activity target: Primary and secondary school students within the Republic of Palau.

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Where will this activity take place: Fact sheets and comic books will be distributed to all schools in the Republic of Palau. When will this activity take place: February to April 2002. Assumptions: The Department of Education and School Principals approve visit and material distribution Pre-requisites: Visit approval, assistance with material design as described in RARE Center’s manual: Promoting Protection Through Pride. Monitoring Plan: See attached Activity 3 (3A): The production of two sea turtle costumes for school visit to encourage excitement and curiosity of students to get their attention on the target species. Why do this activity? To attract attention of the school children for the recognition of the plight of the flagship species. How will this activity be carried out? The CEC project counterpart with local seamstress will design and create two costumes of a Hawksbill Sea Turtle and a Green Sea Turtle as the flagship species. Who will be responsible for this activity? CEC project counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap. Who will this activity target? School children across Palau. When will this activity take place? Starting in October until November 30, 2001. Assumptions: Local seamstress will contribute time for campaign support before holiday festivities. Pre-requisites: Local seamstress cooperation, appropriate color and materials.

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Activity 4 (4A): Art competition for school children (kindergarten, primary and secondary) as a creative way to express their understanding and perception toward their flagship species. Why do this activity? Art (drawing, poetry, etc.) is a fun and honest way for children to portray their understanding and perception of a given message. A competition will encourage and motivate them to give the best of their ability to achieve a desired state, through self pride or family and community. How will this activity be carried out?

- a drawing competition for kindergarten, primary and secondary schools on positive attitude, behavior and knowledge.

- teacher will serve as a responsible motivator for students in each school - the jury will consist of a teacher, local non-profit organization, community

group and the tourism industry. - the project counterpart will solicit government and or private sector

sponsorship for prizes for winners. - winners will have their drawings framed and showcased at a strategic

place such as the office of the President, arrival section of the airport, local bank or lobby area at the Ministry of Education.

Who will be responsible for this activity? CEC project counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap. Who will this activity target? Kindergarten, primary and secondary school students. Where will this activity take place? All schools in the Republic of Palau. When will this activity take place? After soliciting for sponsorship with private sectors and the national or state governments, competition will commence February 11 and ends in February 15, 2001. All school principals will be judge on February 22nd during their schedules Principals Forum at the Ministry of Education building in Koror. Assumptions: Approval from the Chief of School Administration, Mr. Kalistus Ngirturong and Director of School Curriculum, Mr. Emery Wenty. Prerequisites: Approval from Mr. Wenty and Ngirturong from the Ministry of Education, drawing materials for schools, prizes for winners.

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Activity 5 (A5): Produce and distribute Palau sea turtle booklet as a supplementary resource to reinforce disseminated facts to raise curiosity and interests in conservation. This booklet will also be suitable for use by an adult audience. Why do this activity? A booklet of facts with colorful pictures will enhance curiosity and interests in school children and their flagship species. They will be able to share with their parents, thus vehicles carrying messages. How will this activity be carried out? -literature research on Palau's Sea turtles -design and print the booklet in catchy and interesting layout -distribute to all schools and teachers Who will be responsible for this activity? CEC Project counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap. Who will this activity target? Schools, school libraries and teachers. Where will this activity take place? The Republic of Palau. When will this activity take place? Produce in January, 2002, distribute in April, 2001. Assumptions: Support from marine biologists, marine conservation officers, local tour operators Prerequisites: Available data and printing agencies. Activity 6 (A6): Gain support for and sign a petition for a 3 year moratorium on sea turtles with an introduced legislation. Why do this activity? By representing 33 % of the local population, students can carry the message to the national leadership. How will this activity be carried out? During the second visit with presentations about conservation, students will be asked to sign the supporting petition. Who will be responsible for this activity? CEC counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap. Who will this activity target? All 4200 students in all 16 states of Palau. Where will this activity take place? In all the 26 schools of Palau.

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When will this activity take place? In February and March 2001. Assumptions: Biology, culture explained during the first visit to all school, and after presenting conservation, most students will have understood the message for support. Prerequisites: Comic books, posters, pins, billboards, church sermons, legislation pamphlet.

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Objective 2: By May 31st 2002, meetings will have been held, and outreach conducted to all major fisherman’s, community and other key stakeholder groups throughout the 16 States of Palau to solicit support for a turtle-taking Moratorium and the passage of traditional and contemporary legislation. As result, evidence of poaching and illegal hunting should be reduced from 20 times to 10 times per year. Objective 3: By April 3rd 2002, there will be a voluntary agreement by leading gift shop operators to halt the sale of turtle products. Factors in Conceptual Model Targeted by Objective: a: Insufficient awareness and appreciation for Turtle plight, and b: Insufficient awareness of regulations. These indirect factors are linked to a: Hunting for meat; b: Illegal harvesting of eggs; and c: Outdated/poorly Enforced National Law for Turtles d: Sale of shell jewelry. (See Conceptual Model). Project Assumptions: 1: During the initial Stakeholder meeting participants noted that members of the general public were unaware of the plight of Palau’s turtles and the legislation that afford them protection. This fact was collaborated with data collected from a questionnaire sample that sampled 4 % of the Palauan population and from published background materials. 2: It is assumed that outreach and education activities will lead to significant changes in knowledge of those exposed to the messages and that changes in attitude will support the moratorium Underlying Assumptions: 1: If people learn about the importance of turtles and turtle habitat they will take actions, such as supporting a petition, to conserve them. 2: That different materials and approaches are required to reach the general public, school children, fishermen and government officials. And, that a fun, innovative program that includes costumes, comics and pins is one such approach to target children.

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Activity 1 a. Visit communities across Palau and to talk to as many key groups as possible. These talks will highlight the plight of Palau’s Turtles, their natural history and the threats that they face, as well as the importance of the marine environment in which they live.

Why do this Activity?: In order for people living in communities within the islands to better understand the life cycle and migration of Palau's sea turtles and encourage them to support a nation-wide petition.

How will this activity be carried out: This activity will be run with the school visits (Objective 1 (A2)) Community visits will be conducted in the evening as campaign moves from State to State. Campaign will start north moving southward. Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap with assistance from PCS, Palau International Coral Reef Center, Koror Marine Law Enforcement, Palau International Coral Reef Foundation and Divisions of Marine Resources and Conservation and Entomology under the Ministry of National Resources and the Council of Chiefs.

Who will this activity target: Key community groups and stakeholders in villages across of the Republic of Palau Where will this activity take place: Throughout Palau When will this activity take place: Between October and November 30th. Assumptions: The Traditional Chiefs approve visit Pre-requisites: Visit approval, production of badges, costume and school song as described in RARE Center’s manual: Promoting Protection Through Pride.

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Activity 2 (A2) Erect 3 billboards and/or murals at prominent locations in Koror and Babeldoab depicting the turtle and the campaign’s key messages.

Why do this Activity: In order to garner public support for a moratorium on the taking of turtles and to remind the public of their plight

How will this activity be carried out: This activity will collaborate with local artists and or students to produce billboards/murals, as well as with the relevant authorities to approve placement Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap with assistance from local schools and artists, together with transportation and community authorities

Who will this activity target: The general public Where will this activity take place: Koror and Babeldoab. When will this activity take place: November 2001, erection early in 2002 Assumptions: Authorities approve billboard placement Pre-requisites: Artists and approval for billboard placement

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Activity 3 (A3) The production and broadcast of a popular song, that describes the plight of the turtle and promotes its conservation and the campaign’s key messages of the need for a moratorium the commercial take of turtles, the sale of new tolok shell and the movement of turtles from the Southwest Islands.

Why do this Activity?: Music is popular in Palau and can supplement other outreach techniques, such as using the media Objective 2 (Activity 5). Popular songs can be written to carry the campaign’s key messages to specific target groups, such as the islands’ youth

How will this activity be carried out: The CEC counterpart will contact musicians and provide them with the information they need to craft the song’s lyrics. This will then be recorded at RARE Center’s studios and provided to the local radio station for broadcast This activity will be in conjunction with Objective 2 (activity 5). Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap

Who will this activity target: The islands’ youth Where will this activity take place: Throughout Palau via the local radio station When will this activity take place: Commence November 2001 Assumptions: Availability of musician, recording studio and that the radio station agrees to air the song Pre-requisites: Musician and recording studios. Activity 4 (A4) The production, printing and distribution of a legislation booklet highlighting the laws that protect turtle (and other marine populations) on Palau. This will be distributed to enforcement officers and gift shops nationwide.

Why do this Activity?: According to the questionnaire survey, while most respondents know the turtle to be protected, there is ambiguity about the specifics of the legislation

How will this activity be carried out: The legislation booklet produced during the Biib CEC campaign will be revised, updated, printed and circulated to law enforcement officers, community leaders and others nationwide.

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Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap

Who will this activity target: Enforcement officers, community leaders and gift shops Where will this activity take place: PCS office and distributed nationwide When will this activity take place: January 2002 Assumptions: None Pre-requisites: None

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Activity 5 (A5) The media will be kept regularly informed of all project tasks and weekly coverage on turtles will be strived for in the local press. The popular song (Activity 3) will be aired on local radio station and the TV used for video releases. In all cases emphasis will be placed on the dissemination of key messages.

Why do this Activity?: The media plays a vital role in information dissemination. Most people listen to and/or watch the television, as well as read the local press (see data collection section)

How will this activity be carried out: The CEC counterpart will draft media press releases on a weekly basis and will circulate these to the local media Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap

Who will this activity target: The general public Where will this activity take place: PCS Office and in the local media When will this activity take place: Throughout the project Assumptions: Media agrees to air/print releases Pre-requisites: Popular song (activity 3) for broadcast on local radio station Note Other complementary activities specifically targeting gift shop owners may include: Identification of an alternative medium for the carvers (possibly coconut) and workshop(s) to train carvers in adapting their skills to the new medium; 2. Provisions of low cost tool kits is necessary to work in the new medium; 3. Ban by shop owners on purchase and subsequently ban on sale of turtle jewellery products; 4. Educational pamphlets for tourists (in major languages of visitors); and 5. Public recognition and commendation of the action of participants by PCS, traditional leaders and government. The tourist education component of the Rock Islands project.

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Objective 4: In March 2002 (during the annual Palau Women’s Conference) the CEC counterpart will present a plea to the group to draft and pass a resolution to halt the production on new toluk and to recycle old ones. Factors in Conceptual Model Targeted by Objective: a: Insufficient awareness and appreciation for Turtle plight, and b: Shell money. Project Assumptions: 1: During the initial Stakeholder meeting participants noted that members of the general public were unaware of the plight of Palau’s turtles and the legislation that afford them protection. This fact was collaborated with data collected from a questionnaire sample that sampled 4 % of the Palauan population and from published background materials. 2: It is assumed that outreach and education activities will lead to significant changes in knowledge of those exposed to the messages and that changes in attitude will support the moratorium Underlying Assumptions: 1: If the Council of Bilung (Women’s Group) passes a resolution halting the production of new toluk, the majority of women in Palau will agree and support it. 2: That different materials and approaches are required to reach the general public, school children, fishermen and government officials. And, that a fun, innovative program that includes costumes, comics and pins is one such approach to target children. Activity 1 (A1) In March 2002, the CEC counterpart will present the case for turtle conservation at the Palau Women’s conference and will work with the Bilung to draft a resolution for passage and approval at that meeting. Throughout the year he will visit women’s groups throughout Palau in co-operation with the paramount female leader

Why do this Activity?: One of the main local uses of hawksbill turtle is for the production of new shell money (toluk). The halting of this activity will positively affect the target condition.

How will this activity be carried out: Working with the Paramount female leader to obtain permission to talk at the Palau Women’s conference in March and working with that group to draft a resolution. Who will be responsible for this activity: Conservation Education Campaign Counterpart, Yalap P. Yalap with assistance the Bilung. Who will this activity target: Women in Palau

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Where will this activity take place?: Annual Palau Women’s Conference in Koror When will this activity take place: March 2002. Assumptions: That permission will be granted and that the group will pass the resolution Pre-requisites: Visit approval.

Hunting

Accidental take from Tuna nets

Hawksbill Turtle

GT

reen urtle

Palau’s Turtle

Population

lighting Hotel

Illegal harvesting of

eggs

Removal of beach sand for

construction

International Fishing

Practices

Traditional Custom

Local consumption

Government Fishery Policy

Hunting for meat

Market demand

Increasing hotel

development

Interference of habitat

Increased tourism to

Palau

Government Tourism Policy

Insufficient economic

alternatives i.e. in S.W. Isl.

Need for cash

Sale of Shell

jewellery

Ineffective/non existent State Law protecting

Turtles

Outdated/poorly Enforced National

Law for Turtles

Traditional Shell

Money

Palauan Culture

Insufficient awareness and appreciation for

Turtle plight

Objective 4: In March 2002 (during the annual Palau Women’s Conference) the CEC counterpart will present a plea to the group to draft a and pass resolution to halt the production on new toluk and to recycle old ones.

Objective 3: By April 3rd 2002, there will be a voluntary agreement by leading gift shop operators to halt the sale of turtle products.

Insufficient awareness of regulations

Objective 1: a: By the end of the project at least 51 % of students inRepublic of Palau will understand the importance of conserving Palau's sea turtles and can give 3 reasons for doing so. And, b: By May 31st 2002, 75 % of Palau’s 4000 Elementary and High School Children will have signed a petition in support of a moratorium on the prohibition of taking sea turtles and that this petition will have been presented to the State and National leadership.

the

Objective 2: By May 31st 2002, meetings will have been held, and outreach conducted to all major fisherman’s, community and other key stakeholder groups throughout the 16 States of Palau to solicit support for a turtle-taking Moratorium and the passage of traditional and contemporary legislation. As result, evidence of poaching and illegal hunting should be reduced from 20 times to 10 times per year.

Lack of Environmental Education Program

b. Task Summary � Costume: In order to make school visit more lively and entertaining the student/Counterpart will solicit local assistance in producing a costume of the manatee that will be used to carry the conservation message over the course of the Project. � School Song: In order to make the school visit component of the campaign livelier, and to reinforce lessons learned, the student/Counterpart will solicit local assistance in producing a school song about the target species. � Badges: The student/counterpart will produce a badge depicting the target species and carrying a conservation message to serve as a reward to school children participating in the campaign and to serve as a “prompt”. � School Visits: The student/Counterpart will visit every primary and secondary school in the target area and speak to as many children as possible. These talks will serve to introduce local children to the conservation issues relating to manatees. � Bumper Stickers: The student/Counterpart will organize and oversee the distribution of bumper stickers as a visible means of promoting the conservation message and a way of attracting local corporate support through sponsorship. Distributed free to vehicles and boats throughout the target area they will be tangible evidence of community participation. � Art/Essay Competition: The student/Counterpart will organize and oversee the distribution of competitions to reinforce and build upon the activities of a school visit. The sponsorship of prizes serves to further involve local businesses in the conservation campaign. � Popular Songs: The student/Counterpart will work with local musicians in the target area to produce at least one popular song for airing on the radio. This strives to reach out to young people who may have already left school. � Community Outreach: The student/Counterpart will engage in community outreach which will include a mix of talks and lectures to community groups, issuing press releases and preparing articles and/or interviews for the radio and other media. The objective of this is to carry the conservation message to the wider community. � Environmental News Sheet/Comic book: RARE Center's manual recommends that the student/Counterpart produce a news sheet or comic book to furnish children with follow up activities. This task also provides scope for corporate sponsorship and may be used to continue outreach activities beyond the formal close of the Project. � Sermon: RARE Center's manual emphasizes the important role of Religion in the community and the student/Counterpart will be encouraged to solicit the assistance of religious leaders, requesting that they present environmental sermons to their congregations. � Billboards: The student/Counterpart will organize and oversee the use of colorful, eye-catching billboards as a way of attracting attention. Placed at prominent road junctions and jetties they can be seen by a wide cross section of the local community and can also afford an additional opportunity for corporate sponsorship.

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� Legislation Leaflet: RARE Center's manual emphasizes the importance of ensuring that law enforcement officials are aware of existing environmental legislation. It recommends that the student/Counterpart produce a leaflet/booklet summarizing conservation laws, and that this be distributed to police, forestry and other law enforcement officers throughout the target area. � Stakeholder Visit: The student/Counterpart will work closely with pertinent farmer’s/fisheries’ groups and other community groups and will use this time to emphasize the benefits of wise resource husbandry and the mutual need for sustainable development. � A-Z Booklet: The student/Counterpart will be encouraged to produce a booklet of the coastal zone of wildlife in the target area to provide schools and school children with supplementary materials and resources to reinforce their interest in conservation.

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C. Monitoring Plan GOAL: To conserve the Palau's sea turtles for future generations Monitoring Strategy: Measure changes in turtle populations over time in the Republic of Palau

What (indicators)

How (Method & Tasks) When Who Where Comments

Nesting turtles

Counts

Comparative counts of nesting turtles

Annually

Koror Marine Law Enforcement, PCS and Palau International Coral Reef Center.

Nesting beaches throughout Palau

Comparative data available

The Executive Director of the PCS cautions: We need to look critically at Palau's capacity to monitor the status of its sea turtle population. At present there is no monitoring framework. Koror State was collecting information through its rangers but the data was never tabulated and collection has subsequently been discontinued. The "Uel Consortium" needs to look critically at a monitoring methodology that will tell us as well as the public if Palau is making progress toward the overall goal. This will be particularly critical if a short-term "bul" will be determined by the status of the population at the end of the period. If the bul/legislation contains a clear target number that can be agreed on as representing "recovery for sustainable harvest" and a clear monitoring methodology so that everyone will know when the goal has been achieved. Objective 1: a: By the end of the project at least 51 % of students in the Republic of Palau will understand the importance of conserving Palau's sea turtles and can give 3 reasons for doing so. And, b: By May 31st 2002, 75 % of Palau’s 4000 Elementary and High School Children will have signed a petition in support of a moratorium on the prohibition of taking sea turtles and that this petition will have been presented to the State and National leadership. Monitoring Strategy: Measure changes of children's knowledge in school, over time. What (indicators)

How (Method & Tasks) When Who Where Comments

percentage of school children who demonstrate knowledge of the importance of conserving Palau's sea turtles Number & % of children signing petition Passage of Moratorium

Survey: -Develop and pre-test questionnaire -Administer questionnaire to 2 % children in target school -Compare with initial survey Signing of petition Signing and presenting petition

By month 7 By month 10 By month 11 May 2002 May2002

CEC counterpart CEC counterpart/ teacher in target school CEC counterpart Children May-August 2002

Kayangel, Ngaraard, Ngiwal, Melekeok, Peleliu, Angaur, Sonsorl and Tobi states Republic of Palau Schools

The 8 states mentioned have beaches

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Activities for Objective 01: • School visit • Puppet show • Comic book • Costume • Art and essay competition • Sea turtles booklet • School song • Badges • Teacher training course and workshop on puppet • Environmental news sheet

Objective 2: By May 31st 2002, meetings will have been held, and outreach conducted to all major fisherman’s, community and other key stakeholder groups throughout the 16 States of Palau to solicit support for a turtle-taking Moratorium and the passage of traditional and contemporary legislation. As result, evidence of poaching and illegal hunting should be reduced from 20 times to 10 times per year. Monitoring Strategy: Passage of legislation supporting a moratorium on the commercial taking of turtles What (indicators)

How (Method & Tasks) When Who Where Comments

Moratorium Passed

Documentary evidence

May-August 2002

Community members

Republic of Palau

Cessation of shipping turtles on Govt boat from SW Islands

Govt pronouncement May-August 2002

Govt boats From SW islands

Illegal poaching reduction

Checking annual data base on Illegal Hunting and poaching in Rock Island during moratorium Compare with data before CEC project

By Month 10 By month 11

CEC counterpart/ PCS staff CEC counterpart

Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Preserve PCS, Republic of Palau

Illegal cases database available at PCS and update

Activities for Objective 2:

• Village visit • Poster • Popular song • Sermon sheet • Bill board • Environmental news sheet • Legislation booklet • Bumper sticker • Stamp

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Objective 3: By April 3rd 2002, there will be a voluntary agreement by leading gift shop operators to halt the sale of turtle products. Monitoring Strategy: Existence of an agreement to halt production of new toluk. What (indicators)

How (Method & Tasks) When Who Where Comments

Agreement passed

Documentary evidence

May-August 2002

Bilung Group Republic of Palau

Activities for Objective 3:

• Participation in Annual Women’s meeting Objective 4: In March 2002 (during the annual Palau Women’s Conference) the CEC counterpart will present a plea to the group to draft and pass resolution to halt the production on new toluk and to recycle old ones. Monitoring Strategy: Existence of an agreement to halt sale of turtle shell. What (indicators)

How (Method & Tasks) When Who Where Comments

Agreement passed

Documentary evidence

May-August 2002

Bilung Group Republic of Palau

ACTIVITIES Stakeholder Meetings: To prepare a Concept Model of the site and to involve key stakeholders in the project development process, as well as to design project goals and SMART objectives. � Questionnaire Distribution and Analysis: In order to gauge existing levels of knowledge and awareness about conservation and the threats facing the target area, as well as to monitor change over the course of the Project, the student/Counterpart will carry out and analyze pre-and post-campaign questionnaires randomly sampling at least 1 % of the population found living in the target area. � Posters: The student/Counterpart will organize and oversee the distribution of colorful posters in communities throughout the target area -being placed in prominent sites such as stores, schools, health centers and government buildings. Here they will advertise the conservation message. � Puppet Show: Puppets are seen as a way of encouraging younger children to participate in the campaign. Puppets are fun to make and use. The student/Counterpart will work with local teachers to develop puppet shows of their own. It is hoped that such shows will be used widely in the school system.

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PROJECT TIMELINE

Project/Activities Pre-campaign Month 1 Mo 2 Mo 3 Mo 4 Mo 5 Mo 6 Mo 7 Mo 8 Mo 9 Mo 10 Mo 11

July' 01/ Aug'01 Sept' 01 Oct' 01 Nov' 01 Dec'01 Jan'02 Feb' 02 March'02 April' 02 May' 02 June' 02 July' 02

Project preparation: Stakeholder meeting Community survey Project Plan

Project implementation: Fact sheet preparation Poster preparation Poster distribution Badge preparation Preparing school visit lecture material School song production Costume production Puppet show production Puppet theatre show Monitor puppet show School visit Art Competition Production of Wildlife booklet Distribution of Wildlife booklet for students Environmental Newssheet/comic production Environmental Newssheet/comic distribution Sermon sheet production Distribute sermon sheet

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Project/Activities Pre-campaign Month 1 Mo 2 Mo 3 Mo 4 Mo 5 Mo 6 Mo 7 Mo 8 Mo 9 Mo 10 Mo 11

July' 01/ Aug'01 Sept' 01 Oct' 01 Nov' 01 Dec'01 Jan'02 Feb' 02 March'02 April' 02 May' 02 June' 02 July' 02

Legislation leaflet production Local media: radio, TV, other community forums

Education authorities outreach Women conference outreach Jewelry shop outreach Business outreach Popular song production Popular song recording Popular song airing Billboard production Billboard placement

Post project assessment & reporting: Post project questionnaire design & distribution

Post project questionnaire analysis Post project stakeholder meeting Final report

e. School Visits Our hope is pinned largely on the younger generations. Our future rests on the school children of Palau. The power of information can have an impact on their attitude and behavior that will play an important part in their lives and their environment. The school visit component of the Conservation Education Campaign (CEC) aims to visit all the schools of Palau. All primary and secondary students are the target audience. Although only a small percentage of students were interviewed, all of them felt that turtle population depends on our actions today. In Palau there are 21 primary schools and 6 secondary schools. The primary school level start at age 6 and ends at age 13-14. Secondary level begins right after primary, and ends at age 17-18. Apart from the regular school curriculum there are other school programs and visits such as Education Awareness Week, Regional Physical Examination Week, Dental Hygiene Visit, Tourism Awareness Week, Tobacco Awareness and Conservation Education Campaign. Schools like the J.F.K. Elementary School in Kayangel State, an atoll in the northern archipelago, Ngarchelong, Ngeremlengui, Ngarrard and Ngiwal Elementary Schools in Babeldaob, the big island, and Peleliu and Angaur Elementary Schools on two separate limestone islands are accessible by boats only. The rest of the schools are accessible by cars. Yalap established a Conservation Education team, which also included:

♥ Ms. Robin Putney, Peace Corps, Palau International Coral Reef Center ♥ Ms. Sherry Ngirmeriil, Palau International Coral Reef Center ♥ Ms. Anu Gupta, Peace Corps, Environmental Quality Protection Board ♥ Ms. Evelyn Oiterong, Division of Marine Resources ♥ Mr. Nate Leedy, Peace Corps, PCS ♥ Ms. Gina Piazza, Volunteer, PCS ♥ Mr. Ian Lundgren, Peace Corps, The Nature Conservancy ♥ Mr. John Tellei, PCS

All team members are involved in the planning and logistics for all school visits before departure.

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School activities The CEC component for school visits is separated into 3 main activities. Initially, the first activity is puppet show for grade levels 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Now it is being conducted to all primary grades. All primary level of students seems to be enjoying puppets regardless of age.

In total, 4,000 schools participated in the Conservation Education Campaign.

The second activity is the presentation of costume flagship species aided with fact sheets, badges, stickers, posters and song. The third activity is a power point presentation with pictures of habitat, nesting, diet, life cycle and threats for older children. Key Messages

Turtle stocks are declining The future of these endangered species worldwide is not bright School children of Palau hold the key for the survival of Palau’s sea turtles Turtles need your help

Feedback from Schools One way to know if the presentation during the school visit works is to get comments from school officials. A school evaluation form is given to the principal or the vice principal or whoever is recommended by the principal to comment on, and evaluate the presentation. This way we will know how we did, and to learn from the errors and also know how to perfect the program as we go along.

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Preparation In July 2001, an initial letter from Judy Otto, Executive Director, PCS was sent to the Ministry of Education asking for PCS’ CEC to be included in the school calendar for year 2001-2002. An attachment was included with a schedule for school visits starting in October and ending in February. A consortium of collaborating agencies consisting of ten NGO’s and government agencies pulled together and created a team for school visits. Poster There were 2,000 posters printed. It was designed to be attractive to the school children of Palau as another target audience. Margo Viteralli and Simeon Adelbai were 2 local artists who competed for the job. Margo’s rendition was a bit more positive while Simeon had a turtle with tears running down its eyes. The committee decided not to use Simeon’s version. Both artists painted with watercolor that we thought was best for a poster for young school students. Margo’s first rendition did not have turtle hatchlings and we asked her to include a nest with hatchlings crawling down the beach to have more connection to kids. Kids like baby animals and that was the connection. The young couple sailing represents the adult generation. The moon and blue sea represent the flag of Palau. The posters have been very popular with tourists. Distribution is limited to local population because they were the target audience. Posters cost about $2 each. They will be up for sale to generate revenue towards continuation of education campaign. The theme was designed for the whole campaign. It was found out later that it was viewed as a little humorous by the older generations who look at turtles primarily as food. Considering turtles as friends does not make sense to them. There have been some negative comments during community visits indicating that adults are not comfortable with the theme. It has turned into more of a joke amongst older generations who exchange sarcastic remarks after they have had a little too much drink. However, the theme will remain the same for the next few years of campaign. Continuity will strengthen the importance of saving turtles from their plight to extinction. The reason why the campaign for saving sea turtles has not reached everybody in Palau. There are people who still do not understand reasons for conserving turtles. This is all the more reason to continue. A good example is a bus driver from the Ministry of Education who refused to fill out the post questionnaire survey forms. As the Ministry of Education is a part of this campaign and its associates still do not know much about it, there is all the more reason to continue. This is especially important for all the associates of all the agencies involved. In-house education was overlooked at the very beginning.

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The poster was given to two local artists with the team’s approved message to compete for the best one for the campaign. The poster from Margo Viteralli was selected because it depicted positive image. The message created by the team is as follows:

“A Uel a Sechelid” (Turtles are Our Friends) de kaingeseu el (let us help) mekurulii (let it grow) mekereuii (care for it) sebecheklii (protect it) I had 50 posters framed by Palau High School Carpentry Shop. Twenty seven of them will be distributed to all schools of Palau. The rest will be distributed among the 10 collaborating agencies including the offices of the President, Vice President, Division of Wildlife and Conservation, Koror Rangers and Law Enforcement and the Public Safety Station and others. Lesson learned

• It is important to engage in education for all members of the committee, at the outset. It will also help along the way. Associates of all committee members will have the connection and feel part of the campaign.

Badges & Bumper Sticker The badges and bumper stickers are images of the mother turtle from the poster ordered from off-island since it could not be printed locally. There were 5,000 badges ordered and 4,000 bumper stickers (below). The same artwork was used, as in the poster.

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Costumes There are two turtle costumes created by Judy, Emma and myself. Later Morei Fashion Shop did the finishing job. Puppet Most of the animal puppets were ordered from the states. I made three human puppets, 1 Ranger, 1 Poacher and 1 student. Anu and I wrote the script. Puppet Theater The puppet theater from the Biib Campaign was recovered from Airai Elementary School. New curtains and backdrop depicting the poster made locally. Puppet Show Because access between schools in the remote out islands is not easy, it was the team’s collective idea that they should present the puppets show and move it between schools, rather than rely on the children moving it themselves (as in manual). Also, from experience in the schools in Koror, it is best we let the students play and wear costumes and then we move it to the next school. The team felt the theater was too much work for the schools to put up together or better yet move it around. Practice was arranged after school. Different schools require different number of days to practice.

Fact Sheet The fact sheet was made way back in September 2001. It has been modified to raise awareness based on the survey with information on ecology, culture and photographic pictures. It was printed in Palau. The fact sheet was developed twice. The first one was the standard PCS style on both sides of an 8.5” x 11” size of thick paper with Palau designs as borders. They come in both English and Palauan versions. The committee thought better to change it from being a little bit too bold and decided to make a different version by producing a 3 fold, 2 sided version with professional color pictures. It featured all the existing local laws and regulations as well as turtle biology information such as long maturity period, low survival rate and low birth rate. It looked great, and made a bright change to the distribution shelf. There were 4,500 produced at the very beginning for all students and teachers in all schools. As we moved to the community visits, production was lowered but was still

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ongoing. The fact sheet is very important. It helps show the vulnerability of sea turtles and the ineffectiveness of the present laws and situation. Color pictures in the fact sheets are very good visual aid in promoting understanding turtle life cycle, its biology and conservation. The success of the fact sheet lies within the younger generation who can read both English and Palauan. The Power Point presentation was perfect for old people who would rather listen because of inability to read and prefer to look at big letters on screen because of poor eyesight. Fact sheet summary

• It was written for high school children and the more senior primary school children (ages 7,8 and 9).

• A Palauan version was also produced (50 % of each were produced). • Good pictures, different to usual CS fact sheets. Colorful, small, attractive,

very handy and informative. • The second version – produced approx. 6,000 in batches of 2,000. More

were ordered as needed. • Most photographs for this brochure were provided free of charge by

professional photographer, Kevin Davidson. In addition, one popular photograph of a baby turtle was generously provided by Mandy Etpison.

• Color printing in Palau is very expensive. It cost $1 per fact-sheet. They were re-used where possible and wastage was minimized.

Teachers’ Manual A Teacher’s Manual was compiled by all the collaborating agencies. Judy made lots of input and modification and put it altogether. It contains facts and materials that are useful for both primary and secondary schools. Five hundred copies were distributed. Satellite Transmitter Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy and the United States’ National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, the Koror State Department of Marine Law Enforcement participated in the Pacific Region Training Workshop on the use of Satellite

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Transmitters and the Argos System to track Post-Nesting Migration of Hawksbill Turtle in July 2001. The Southwest Fisheries Science Center of the Marine Turtle Research Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service of Honolulu, Hawaii was the main sponsor. A small watertight transmitter with sufficient battery reserve is safely attached to the back of a turtle, at the nesting time. When the turtle returns to the water and surfaces to breathe, data transmissions are sent to sensitive receivers aboard polar-orbiting satellites. This information is relayed to ground processing stations that calculate the turtle’s location with varying levels of accuracy. The results are then sent to the researcher over the internet on a daily basis for evaluation and mapping. On September 2, 2001 PCS and Koror Rangers tagged and released a nesting hawksbill turtle on the Ngerukeuid Islands Preserve. For four months we were able to receive satellite coordinates that showed the turtle’s movements and published them to the public by local newspapers. We named her Ms. Ngerukeuid and the public was intrigued by her. School children were given updates and a map, so they could track her and learn about her movements. Two more satellite transmitters will be coming to Palau for green turtles. One will be for Kayangel state in April and a second one will be for Helen’s Reef in the Southwest Islands in July. This is the first time Palau has ever been involved with satellite transmitters for turtles. It is the CEC team’s hope, that this added program will assist Palauans understand education and research of sea turtles leading into sustainable practice and lead into conservation of Palau’s sea turtles with a moratorium. Sea Turtles Mysteries, Myths and Modern Realities Two presentations by Dr. Nicolas Pilcher, a Marine Biology PhD and a turtle expert had been made to the traditional leadership of Palau and the 6th Koror State Legislators. This is another injection to the CEC as I gave an overview of the school visits after Dr. Pilcher's presentations. PCS hosted these two programs. These presentations were to prepare the leaderships to receive the community outreach programs. They were essential tools to convene villages during meetings to supplement school visits. Sermons, billboards, women’s meetings, will also take place.

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School Visit Format A week before the school visit I would call the school principal to confirm date, time, venue, number of students, teachers, classrooms, seating arrangements, electricity in the rural schools and if a screen or white wall for power point projection was available. I would always ask for 10 a.m. to allow us time to travel on 4 wheel drives or boat, depending on the weather if the water is rough or the tide is right or driving is better. All the school principals knew about our visit because we obtained permission from the Ministry of Education back in July 2001. Our schedule is in the school year calendar; however, we got behind schedule due to bad weather that led to conflict with other school activities. But altogether, all schools have been welcoming and receptive of our visits. Duration: 45 minutes I. Introduction (10 minutes): The school principal would start by introducing me from PCS. I would always pick up after the principal by starting with a salutation. Students would respond appropriately but mostly with low volume. I would ask them to say it again, and tell them that the children from the next village were very loud and “didn’t you hear them last week when I visited them?” Instantly I would get a better response. This I find would make the kids feel alive and they would be mostly loud all throughout the presentation. I also pretend I have bad hearing so they have to speak loud and clear. Most of the visits are in the morning, although a few were in the afternoon. I would ask from the second grades up, since last year they were first graders, who remember me from last year and what friends did I bring and I would always get a few correct answers. Then I’d introduce the Peace Corps volunteers from the agencies that we collaborate with, namely Robin Putney from Palau International Coral Reef Center, Anu Gupta from Environmental Quality Protection Board, Nate Leedy, from PCS. Zina Piazza an independent volunteer from PCS, John Tellei, a permanent employee from PCS and Evelyn Oiterong from the Division of Marine Resources. On behalf of everyone I would thank the students first, then the teachers and staff and the principal and the Ministry of Education for the opportunity that they have allowed us to visit. Now I would tell the students that today, just like last year, I brought some more friends. “These friends need your help! They need help from the students of Palau. They have come to us to bring them to you all, the school children of

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Palau, so you can help them. Do you know who they are?” Mostly lower grade students would say “Biib” or “Mesekiu” as they were the flagship species last year. By now the higher grades would already recognize from the posters and props that we set up in the venue area what friends we are bringing to them. Without much delay I would explain, “Today, I am bringing our turtle friends. But before they come in, we have to shout three times saying, A Uel a Sechelid, A Uel a Sechelid, A Uel a Sechelid! I will count 1, 2, 3 and we would all shout out loud.” Then “1, 2, 3” all the students shout and in comes 2 costumed turtles to their delight. The 2 costumes are a Green sea turtle and Hawksbill sea turtle. As they come running in, the Ngasch is carrying the Palauan flag to symbolize turtles of Palau. To make the students know there are turtle from Palau that would be stressed later on in the presentation. The students are instructed to listen carefully and raise their hand if they want to answer a question. Even if they have a question themselves they can also raise their hands during the course of the presentation. Pointing to a poster from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration with 8 turtles I would start by saying “there are 8 different kinds of sea turtles worldwide. Five of them pass through Palau but only 2 nest on our beaches. Who knows what sea turtles nest in Palau”? Mostly, I would get right answers from this point. “I have rewards (badges) to give away for those who answer correctly or even those who try and not being shy. I find this to be amusing with kids who answer incorrectly with all their hearts, so I reward them nonetheless. II. Turtle Biology with power point presentation (15 minutes) By now, the students are relaxed after all the giggling and sighs and the turtles have made a complete round of the venue, usually a school cafeteria and would be standing next to me in the front end. I would make the introduction of “Melob” the green sea turtle and “Ngasch” the hawksbill turtle. First slide: Our theme: “A Uel a Sechelid” Let all shout it out loud! As I try to make the presentation to be more interactive and interesting I would first ask who knows what part of the animal kingdom are sea turtles are members of? Usually there would one or two students who would raise their hands and answer correctly. Then I would ask what other members of the reptile family are. From here on, I would see lots of hands and receive correct answers like snakes and crocodiles. Second slide: Flag of Palau with wordings: “Turtles are special!” Because turtles born here would return 20 to 35 years later to nest on the same beach they were born on, this means turtles born in Palau will return to Palau to nest. They are Palauan turtles!

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Third slide: Picture of toluk: “Turtles are special!” Turtles are used in our culture. That’s why they are special. Fourth slide: Pictures of Melob and Ngasch with words: “Turtles are important.” Key point stressed for the second time because of their importance in tradition and ecology to Palau’s marine ecosystem. Fifth slide: Hawksbill Biology:

Overlapping scutes Two claws on flippers Weigh up to 145 pounds Males have longer tail than females Pointed beak for coral reef crevices

Now getting closer to Ngasch who is still carrying the flag, I would say “For Ngash they are truly special that’s why he carries the flag. They have sharp pointed beak like a hawks’ beak. Who knows what hawks are”, I would ask. Again, usually the higher grades would know. I then continue on saying “ Ngasch are omnivores. They eat both plants like algae and animals like crustaceans. Through time their beak has evolved into pointed shape and sharp to allow them to get their food through rock crevices in coral reefs. Their main habitat is the coral reefs. Ngasch meat has strong smell in comparison with Melob. Mostly Palauans don’t like Ngasch meat but they like the scutes from the carapace because they use them for what?” I would leave the sentence open and a lot of them would know the answer but would simultaneously shout “toluk” (traditional money). “Don’t forget to raise your hand if you want a reward”, I would remind them. Continuing on I would point out the “2 nails” on each flipper. “Once upon a time they were land turtles and they have evolved to become sea turtles. The claws have turned into flippers and the nails are the remnants of the past. Ngasch don’t grow as big as Melob. Their carapace length can reach 3 feet in length but they would weigh up to 145 pounds. They usually lay up to a 130 eggs, a little bit more than Melob. They mostly nest on the beaches in the Rock Islands.”

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Sixth slide: Hawksbill Turtle Habitat:

Lives on coral reef Eats coral, jellyfish, sponges, crustaceans, and sea grasses

Green Turtle Biology:

Herbivore Fused scutes One claw on flippers Weigh up to 400 pounds Flattened beak for grazing Longer tail on males than females

“Melob are herbivores. Its main diet is sea grass and algae. That’s why its fat is mostly green and thus the name.” Then I would ask, “Who among you has eaten Melob or likes to eat turtles”? Always to my amazement most kids raise their hands giggling at the same time. From the survey last August, turtle meat is common in homes and people admit having had turtle meat frequently. It’s no wonder kids like them and they admit it. I then describe the turtle, “So starting from the beak where it is flat and serrated for using it only to graze moving down its body to its flippers with one nail each. Then the carapace where the “scutes are fused together. They are not good for Palauan women money called toluk because they are thin. The carapace can grow to a length of 3 feet and the turtle itself can weigh up to 400 pounds”. The Melob costume would flex its muscles to the delight of the students. “They wait until between the ages of 20 to 35 years before they can become parents. That’s how slow they take to reproduce, not like us humans that can start at 14 or 15 years of ages”. This I would hear more giggling. “When they are ready to lay eggs they usually return to the beach where they hatched to lay a cluster of 100 eggs. They return after 13 to 15 days to lay another cluster.” I would ask who knows the Ngemelis legend but not many kids from northern Palau would know the story. “Their gender can be identified by long tail for male and short tail for female”. I would hear more giggling. “They mostly nest in Kayangel State, few in Eastern coast of Babelaob where there are beaches and Merir, Sonsorol, Pulo Ana and Tobi in the Southwest Islands of Palau. Eighth slide: Green Turtle Habitat

Lives in sea grass beds Eats sea grasses and algae

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Ninth slide: Breathing

Turtles need to breathe air They surface every 20 minutes to an hour to breathe Turtles drown when they get caught in fishing nets

Tenth slide: Breeding

Nesting Habitat Hawksbill nests on Rock Islands Green turtle nests on Kayangel, SW Islands, and Babeldaob Turtles need clean beaches to nest!

Female turtles will always return to their birth beach to lay eggs. During the nesting year, she will repeat the egg-laying cycle between every 13 to 15 day up to 5 times. Only ONE turtle will survive out of a 100 hatchlings. It is estimated that 1 to 10 out of a 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood. The majority are eaten by predators such as birds, sharks, big fish and lizards. Baby turtles are most attracted to lights that can mislead them away from the ocean toward inland. They can get lost on land, dry up or run over by cars or crawl into fire. If you (students) eat all the eggs, no one will survive. Eleventh Slide: Eggs hatch and baby turtles move to the sea This is when they are most vulnerable. Scientists believe that the magnetic field from that certain beach will be registered in the hatchlings’ heads during the crawling process and someday females will return to the same beach to nest. The crawl from nest to ocean is the most important process of the hatchling. Twelfth Slide: Satellite Tagging: On September 2, 2001, PCS, Koror State Marine Law Enforcement, through assistances from The Nature Conservancy and Marine Turtle Research Program from the National Marine Fisheries Service in Hawaii, tagged a hawksbill in Ngerukeuid Islands Preserve. The turtle was named Ms. Ngerukeuid. For 4 months she showed up all over Palau. But she also showed up most of the time in Ngermeduu Bay Conservation Area in front of Ngeremlengui State on the west coast. This showed that this area is a particular post-nesting foraging ground for Hawksbill turtles.

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Thirteenth Slide: Status ALL TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED!

People kill too many turtles Traditional hunting methods have changed People bother nesting females People pollute turtle habitats People eat the eggs

Follow the laws!!!

It is illegal to take turtles during a bul! The students all shout out these words. Fourteenth Slide: Follow the laws!!!

It is illegal to bother a nesting female! It is illegal to take or eat the eggs!

Turtles cannot be taken too small.

Green turtles cannot be taken under the size of 34 inches carapace length from top to bottom.

Hawksbill turtles cannot be taken under the size of 27 inches carapace length from top to bottom

These words are also shouted out:

Don’t kill turtles Don’t eat turtle meat Don’t eat turtle eggs Talk to your parents Clean up the beaches Don’t pollute Write to your politicians

Kids would shout out loud simultaneously

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Fifteenth Slide: School song School Song The song will be reviewed first one time, then everyone will sing together. “A Uel a Sechelid”

By: Magrina Aderiano I. Momes momes ra uel

Ngikal soro’l sechelid El mekreos a chelibel

II. Momes momes ra uel

Rulii Belau meng tokubetsu Ra siukang ra recheuodel el mei

III. Momes momes ra uel Ngikal soro’l sechelid El mekreos a chelibel

(repeat 2nd time) I. Momes momes ra uel

Ngikal soro’l sechelid El mekreos a chelibel

II. Momes momes ra uel Rulii Belau meng tokubetsu Ra siukang ra recheuodel el mei

III. Momes momes ra uel Ngikal soro’l sechelid El mekreos a chelibel

“Before we bid farewell, our turtle friends would like to give presents for those who are celebrating their birthdays this month. Please come forward those of you who celebrate their birthdays this month, and you have to be honest.” On average there have been about 5 kids per school who receive posters for their birthdays. Melob and Ngasch would give out the posters and hug the kids before waving farewell. “Now let’s bid farewell to our turtle friends. They need to get back to the water before they get too dry and tired. Let’s all say together “mechikung e sechelid ra

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uel (good bye our turtle friends)”. Then I would count 1, 2, 3 and all the kids would shout,” mechikung e sechelid ra uel”! Again, on behalf of the consortium of collaborating agencies, I would like to thank you all for your participation in the A Uel a Sechelid Turtle Conservation Education Campaign. Discussion of school visits During the early part of the Conservation Education Campaign, my school visits consisted of 2 turtle costumes, presentation with overhead projector with pretty pictures, school song, stickers and teachers manual. As I moved along I improved with the costumes to have masks, shoes and covered hands. There is no skin to be seen. The overhead projector presentation was changed to power point presentation. The power point presentation is much better and understandable and easy to use. Because the schools visits are still going on, it is difficult to provide an analysis of their effect, but teachers and children are definitely enjoying and learning from them (see commentary sheet and thanks letter, following pages). At the end of the school visit, a Teachers Resource Package is given to the teachers for them to use as follow up activities

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8. SURVEY RESULTS – POST-CAMPAIGN

Comparison between pre- and post-campaign surveys. Prior to returning to Kent to complete the final academic phase of studies, I conducted a 2nd questionnaire survey; and using Survey Pro software compared pre-and post-survey results. In the pre-campaign survey, I sampled 357 respondents from throughout Palau representing a sample size of about 2.25% of the entire population. The post-campaign sample size was approximately the same (n=351).

Figure 21. Home States Pre-campaign (n = 357)

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Figure 22. Home States Post-campaign n = 351

In both surveys responses were weighted in favor of Koror, the Capital and most populous state. Of the 16 States in the nation, both surveys sampled 15. A major problem with analysing my post-campaign survey was the considerable bias towards school children, and the differences in survey technique. In the pre-campaign survey, 3 paid enumerators, who read out the questions and then noted respondent’s answers, distributed the questionnaires. In the post-campaign survey, I sent out large numbers of surveys to various elementary schools across Palau and solicited teachers’ and students’ assistance in compiling and returning the forms. This produced a bias toward children and the strong possibility of significant differences in how the actual survey was conducted. The fear being that children with little or no training may have simply filled in the forms themselves or asked a non-random sample. This can be seen in the graphs below:

Figure 23. Age Groups Pre-campaign n = 357

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In the pre-campaign results above (n=357), children and youths aged 1-19 made up only 11.8%, while in the post-campaign survey they comprised 59% of the sample (see below).

Figure 24. Age Groups Post-campaign n = 351

This bias is corroborated by the results of the question requesting employment details, in which only 4.8% of the pre-campaign sample checked “None” as compared to 52% in the post-campaign survey.

Figure 25. Income Sources Pre-campaign n = 357

Figure 26. Income Sources Post-campaign n = 351

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The bias described above means that it is essential that I re-do my post-campaign survey, so that a full and valid comparison can be conducted. Having said this, some data collected appears to confirm pre-campaign results, i.e. that there has, since the campaign’s beginning, been a widespread knowledge of some aspects of turtle biology and legislation, but little regarding specifics. In both the pre- and post-campaign surveys, respondents knew (or guessed) that laws exist protecting Palau’s turtle population (92% pre-campaign and 95.8% post-campaign). Similarly, knowledge about laws pertaining to the take of female sea turtles is widespread.

Figure 27. Knowledge on law protecting female turtles Pre-campaign n = 357

Figure 28. Knowledge on law protecting female turtles Post-campaign n = 351

Specifics in knowledge of legislation and biology remained either unchanged, or in some cases lower in the post-campaign study. Again, the full ramifications of this can only be assessed if a further survey is undertaken with more rigor and using the same methodology as the first survey to ensure that the two data sets are comparable and thus the results can be compared.

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One interesting change noted, that may or may not be due to bias, is the shift in perception as to the main threats that turtles face. In the pre-campaign survey 31% stated don’t know, 43% hunting and 18% egg collecting.

Figure 29. Perceptions on the MAIN threat to turtles. Pre-campaign n = 357

In the post-campaign survey only 14% stated “Don’t know” and 60% responded, “hunting”.

Figure 30. Perceptions on the MAIN threat to turtles. Post-campaign n = 357

When asked what the respondent thought should be done to conserve turtle populations, 19% of pre-campaign respondents wrote “don’t know” or left the open-ended answer blank, while 12% wrote “stop hunting” and 3% wrote introduce “bul”. In the post-campaign survey, only 6% wrote “don’t” know” or left the sheet blank, while 21% wrote “stop hunting” and 9% “introduce a bul” or moratorium.

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Not surprisingly, most respondents in the post-campaign survey stated that they got their information from school visits (52%). Word of mouth, TV, radio and posters followed.

Figure 31. Sources of information on turtle conservation. Post-campaign n = 357

Figure 32. Support for Moratorium on turtle hunting. Post-campaign n = 357

There appears to be widespread post-campaign support for a “bul” or moratorium on turtle-taking, with 48% asking for 20 years; 18% 10 years and less than 1% wishing to see the status quo of no moratorium remain in effect. When asked who should be responsible for implementing a bul or taking charge of this effort, most felt that it should be a shared responsibility between constitutional and traditional governments.

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Figure 33. Views on responsibility for a moratorium. Post-campaign n = 357

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9. THE FUTURE a. Keep pushing decision-makers for changes to legislation The Mechesil Belau (Traditional Women Leaders of Palau) in their 9th Annual Women’s Conference in April this year passed a resolution calling among themselves to place a 20 years moratorium on taking of sea turtles and halt production of new “toluk” (see overleaf). It encourages women of Palau to continue circulation of the toluk because production for new ones leads to killing more turtles during the moratorium. The resolution has been introduced by Delegate Joel Toribiong at the House of Delegates and is at the Committee on Resources and Development waiting for public hearings.

Yalap P. Yalap at the annual Belau (Traditional Women Leaders of Palau) women’s meeting On September 11, 2002 I met with the Council of Chiefs with Dr. Nicolas Pilcher who made a presentation on sea turtles. Through the Office of the President the chiefs will call for a 10 year “bul” / moratorium on sea turtles to support the traditional women’s resolution. As the bul is being imposed a nesting monitoring program will commence in Ngerukeuid Island Preserve, Kmekumer, Ngemelis, Ulong, Bablomekang and Ioulomekang in the Rock Islands to monitor hawksbill sea turtles nesting population. The bul will help the research find out during the ten years tenure of approximately how many green and hawksbill sea turtles nest in identified nesting areas in Palau. Another monitoring program will start in Kayangel Islands including Ngaruangel Island Preserve. Dr. Pilcher, Scientific Project Coordinator for Community Conservation Network working on a conservation area in Helen Reef, Tobi has included green turtle nesting monitoring in his program.

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b. Ten Year Strategy Plan As the “Uel a Sechelid” campaign foundation has been laid, PCS recognizes that it will continue to strive to achieve the goals and objectives. The main objective is to get a moratorium through the traditional leadership. The continuation of this project will be based within the 10 year overall strategy plan of PCS. It will have to maintain focus with scientific assistance from Dr. Ian Bride, an ecology lecturer from Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent. A Darwin Initiative and Earthwatch Institute support will be sought with matching funds from PCS to develop monitoring programs as follows:

• Monitor green turtle nesting at Helen Reef, Tobi; • Monitoring hawksbill nesting at Ngerukeuid, Kmekumer, Ngemelis, Ulong,

Omekang x 2 islands, Ngerchong, Mariar and Ngeruktabl group of islands • Monitor green and hawksbill nesting on the Rock Islands of Airai • Monitor green and hawksbill nesting on the east coast of Babeldaob which

include Melekeok, Ngiwal, Ngaraard and Ngarchelong (2 islands) states; • Monitor green and hawksbill nesting in Kayangel (3 islands) and

Ngaruangel c. Continue Turtle Conservation Education Campaign Incorporating lessons learned from the past year, the campaign will continue to maintain momentum and increase existing levels of public understanding by continuing to use the:

• Media • Mechesil Belau on their 10th Annual Conference • Committee member program • Council of Chiefs

d. Biological Research Carry out turtle research and monitoring projects with guidance of Dr.Ian Bride from Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent. Volunteer students working on appropriate master programs will be recruited e. Fundraising Funding for this program will be from:

• Darwin Initiative • Earthwatch Institute • Matching funds from PCS

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10. REFERENCES

Guilbeaux, Mike (2001), Uel Er Belau Johanes, E.R (February 1986A) Review of Information on the Subsistence Use of Green and Hawksbill sea turtles on Islands under United States Jurisdiction in the Western Pacific Ocean. Maragos, James (1992). Sea Turtle Conservation Plan for the Republic of Palau. Conservation Science, The Nature Conservancy, Pacific Region. Guilbeaux, Michael & Atkinson, Scott (1992) Ecology and Population Biology of the Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Nesting in the Rock Islands of the Republic of Palau. The Nature Conservancy (1992). Pacific Region for the Bureau of Resources and Development Ian Lundgren (February 2002) Palaun Facts Peace Corps/The Nature Conservancy. Regional Marine Turtle Conservation Program, South Pacific Region Environmental Program, National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1998). 1995 – The Year of the sea turtle campaign. National Marine Fisheries, Silver Spring, MD. Recovery Plan for U.S. Pacific Populations of the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). The Basic of Sea Turtle Biology, Sea Turtle Mariculture (November 1994)

Palaun Conservation Society. Protecting Our World’s Wonder brochure.

Witzell, W.N (1983). Synopsis of Biological Data on the Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Marquez, Rene Sea Turtles of the World. Food and Agricultural Organization. Species Catalogue, Vol. 11. Instituto Nacional de la Pesca, Centro de Investigacion Pesquera, Manzanillo, Col. Mexico 28200.

Palau Domestic Fishing Laws (1998). Division of Marine Resources (DMR), Republic of Palau and the Information Section of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

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Thomas, P.E.J and Holthus, P.F. (1988) Management Plan - Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Preserve. South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) and N. Idechong, Ministry of National Resources, Marine Resources Division, P.O. Box 100, Koror, Republic of Palau

www.cccturtle.org/species-class.htm

Greenpeace Pacific Campaign for Conserving Wildlife Species and Fish stocks (1991).

Pacific Sea Turtle Recovery Team for National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, Maryland and Pacific Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon, January 12, 1998. Recovery Plan for U.S. Pacific Populations of the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas).

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11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank all of the following agencies:

RARE Center for Tropical Conservation Palau International Coral Reef Center, Government of the Republic of

Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board, Government of the Republic of

Palau Koror State Dept. of Marine and Law Enforcement, Koror State

Government Bureau of Marine Resources, Government of the Republic of Palau Ministry of Education, Government of the Republic of Palau Council of Chiefs, Government of the Republic of Palau The Nature Conservancy U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

My sincere acknowledgements go to Alma Ridep-Morrison, Youlsau Bells and Evelyn Oiterong. Mesulang (thank you) from the bottom of my heart for answering my numerous telephone calls, and for all the information that you provided me. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Michael Guilbeaux for most of the turtle facts of Palau that I gathered from his report to the Palauan Conservation Society. Also to Dr. Nicolas J. Pilcher for his turtle picture slides, donation of turtle books to PCS and for his time in accompanying our team during community visits and traditional leadership presentations and for his relentless effort in meetings to set up future programs. To Paul Butler, Vice President, RARE Center for Tropical Conservation: Thank you for creating this conservation education program. By teaching local counterparts from developing countries is like planting a seed. They will be true environmental conservation officers because they know their environment, islands, countries and peoples. To my counterparts for the Conservation Education Campaign, around the world:

Ni Putu Sarilani Wirawan Sundjaya, Conservation International Indonesia, Palu Office, Togean Islands, Indonesia.

Kriengsak Chaturasuksakul, Superintendent, Huai Kum Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center, Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Sub-division, Wildlife Conservation Division, Natural Resources Conservation Office, Royal Forest Department of Thailand.

Rodney Galama, Deptartment of Environment & Conservation, Government of Papua New Guinea.

Christa Botha, Namaqualand, South Africa.

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