Ruaa Centre Leads Awareness Campaign Against Turtle Meat Trade

A team from the Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultations, and Training carried out a field outreach visit to Sheikh Othman District, targeting a number of restaurants suspected of involvement in the sale of turtle meat. This activity comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to protect marine life and curb practices that violate environmental laws.
The field visit was conducted in partnership with the leadership of the community committees in the district. The team engaged directly with restaurant owners, raising their awareness of the dangers of trading in turtle meat and the serious environmental and legal consequences associated with such practices.
The outreach also included a number of herbal and spice shops in the district, where the team emphasized the importance of refraining from selling or promoting any products derived from endangered marine species, and highlighted the vital role of community participation in environmental protection.
During the visit, Dr. Jaklin Mansour Al-Battani, head of the centre, stressed the importance of strengthening community awareness on marine conservation issues. She underscored that protecting sea turtles is a collective responsibility requiring coordinated efforts between official institutions and community actors, and called for the continuation of such field activities due to their effective role in reducing environmental violations and fostering a culture of respect for the law.