The battle of marine turtles against environmental threats
Located on the northern coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, the city of El Arish is home to several species of sea turtles, some of which are classified as endangered and listed on the IUCN Red List. These captivating species play a crucial role in the health of the oceans. However, they face major threats such as plastic pollution, illegal hunting, and the destruction of their natural habitats.
In response to this reality, the Sinai Women’s Rights Association has launched an ambitious project aimed at protecting these precious species along the Arish coastline. This project combines conservation actions, awareness campaigns, and local community involvement to ensure a sustainable future for sea turtles and the ecosystems they depend on.
Concrete Actions to Preserve Sea Turtles
To ensure effective protection of sea turtles on the Arish beaches, several targeted initiatives have been implemented. These initiatives directly involve local communities and territorial stakeholders.
- Nesting Site Surveillance and Protection: Preserving nesting sites is essential to ensuring the survival of sea turtles. Therefore, along 45 km of coastline, regular patrols organized in collaboration with local partners will protect the eggs and young turtles from predators and human disturbances, increasing their survival rate.
- Reducing Plastic Pollution: Plastic waste is a major threat to marine biodiversity. To combat this issue, the association organizes beach clean-up campaigns with the participation of volunteers and schoolchildren. These operations aim to collect over 3 tons of plastic while raising awareness among the public about the importance of maintaining a clean coastline.
- Fishermen Training: Accidental fishing remains one of the leading causes of sea turtle mortality. To address this, the association trains 50 fishermen in sustainable fishing practices to reduce accidental captures by 50%, while ensuring a viable economic activity for local communities.
- Awareness for Youth and Families: Education plays a key role in the preservation of sea turtles. For this reason, an educational program is being rolled out in schools and during community events. Over 3,000 people will participate in interactive workshops, exhibitions, and documentary screenings to better understand the ecological role of turtles and the actions to protect them.
Towards a Sustainable Ecotourism Model
Beyond conservation efforts, this project also aims to create responsible ecotourism. It will offer visitors the opportunity to observe turtles in their natural habitat while respecting ecosystems. Moreover, this initiative represents a real economic opportunity for local communities, especially for women, youth, and local cooperatives, who will benefit from new sources of income through biodiversity-focused tourism.
Measurable and Sustainable Impact
By the end of the project, the expected goals are clear and ambitious:
- Increase the survival of turtle eggs by ensuring the protection of nesting sites and a thorough follow-up of nesting areas.
- Reduce accidental captures by 50% through training fishermen in sustainable fishing practices.
- Raise awareness of more than 3,000 people about marine biodiversity issues and the dangers of plastic pollution.
- Collect and recycle over 3 tons of plastic waste, thus contributing to the protection of the coastline and marine ecosystems.
By combining conservation, awareness, and sustainable development, this project provides a concrete response to the environmental and social challenges of northern Sinai. Through the mobilization of all local stakeholders, it contributes to marine biodiversity protection and the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of future generations.
Project Information:
Association Name: Sinai Women’s Rights Association
Project Budget: 500,000 L.E. / 15,152 euros
Project Duration: From September 1, 2024, to February 15, 2025
Project Location: North Sinai, Egypt (Arish coastal zone)
Contact Information:
Madame Sawsan Hassan Higab
Chairperson of the Board
Sinai Women’s Rights Association
Al Arish, Rue de la Radio, in front of Al Masaeed Post Office
North Sinai, Egypt
📞 Phone: +20 101 311 195
📧 Email: womanrights999@yahoo.com
This project is implemented under the third phase of the Small Initiatives Program for North African CSOs (PPI OSCAN), coordinated by the IUCN Mediterranean Cooperation Center. It is funded by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation, and the Sigrid Rausing Trust. The supported initiatives aim to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable livelihoods in biodiversity-rich regions. To learn more about the PPI OSCAN 3 projects: MUBADARAT.
