Ruaa Centre Organizes Awareness Lecture on Protecting Marine Turtles in Khor Omeira

Khor Omeira – Centre Media

The Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultation, and Training organized an awareness lecture on Saturday morning as part of the project “Save the Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Aden,” funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Small Grants Programme (SGP). The initiative aims to raise community awareness about the importance of protecting Sea turtles and preserving the environment in the Khor Omeira Reserve in Lahj Governorate.

At the beginning of the lecture, titled “The Impact of Overfishing of Sea Turtles in Khor Omeira Reserve,” and held in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Authority Office in Lahj, the Turtle and Wildlife Protection Association in Khor Omeira, and the local community, Dr. Jaklin Mansoor Al-Battani, Chairperson of the Centre, delivered the opening remarks. She welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of such awareness activities in promoting a culture of marine life protection and in addressing pollution and environmental degradation that threaten the region’s natural systems.

Dr. Al-Battani also highlighted that the Ruaa Centre pays special attention to natural reserves in the Gulf of Aden, particularly Khor Omeira, which serves as a vital habitat and breeding ground for marine turtles. She called for joint efforts between official institutions and the local community to safeguard this valuable environmental heritage.

During the event, Dr. Abdullah Al-Hindi delivered a comprehensive awareness lecture covering the different species of marine turtles, their ecological characteristics, and the major threats they face—such as plastic pollution and unregulated human activities. He also discussed practical ways to reduce these risks and the essential role of the local community in protecting them.

In conclusion, participants stressed the importance of continuing such environmental initiatives and underscored the need to raise awareness among fishermen and local residents about responsible practices toward marine turtles and wildlife in Khor Omeira.