Meeting Explores Cooperation to Implement the "Save the Turtles in the Gulf of Aden" Project in Lahj

The head of Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultation, and Training met on Sunday morning with Mr Fathi Al-Saou, Director of the Environmental Protection Office in Al-Houta, Lahj, to discuss mechanisms of cooperation and coordination for the implementation of the “Save the Turtles in the Gulf of Aden” project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-SPG).

The project targets the Khor Omeira Reserve in Ras Al-Ara and Al-Madhariba districts of Lahj Governorate, an important feeding and nesting area for sea turtles during the breeding season.

The meeting addressed ways to unify community and governmental efforts and involve local associations in implementing the project’s activities It also emphasized the need to stop violations against sea turtles, enforce laws protecting endangered species, and apply the relevant penalties

The meeting concluded with several recommendations, the most important of which are:

-        - Speeding up the preparation of an administrative plan for the reserve.

-        - Strengthening partnership and cooperation between the Centre and the Environmental Protection Office in Lahj to ensure the success of the project.

-        - Providing a safe environment for turtles during the nesting and breeding season.

The meeting was attended by Dr Jamal Bawazir, Director of the Environmental Protection Unit at the Centre, and Ms Mariam Ali, the Administrative Officer at the Centre.