SEA Success: The ingredients for an impactful peer-to-peer knowledge exchange visit

Turtle hatchery management was not entirely new for local community members and authorities. Previous projects on Saint Martin Island had supported successful turtle conservation activities funded by UNDP. The Department of Environment also implements turtle hatchery initiatives during the breeding season. 

In Tioman, Juara Turtle Project, the host organization who trained the Bangladeshi delegation, formed by government officials and a local community champion, shared their turtle hatchery protocol. This protocol was discussed with Saint-Martin Island turtle conservation group members and adopted to upgrade their practices. 

The learnings from the site visit were easily transferrable, even if the learning exchange only lasted for a week, because Saint Martin Island’s stakeholders had already a good knowledge and practice of turtle hatchery. It was only a matter of adding some structure and process to their current practice. Even though, compared to Tioman, there are species-level differences; in Bangladesh, the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is predominant, whereas in Tioman, the Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles are more common. And there is a difference in the average temperature range. 

Besides, they also learned how to protect turtle eggs from predation, especially by feral dogs, the biggest threat for turtle conservation on the island. This latter aspect came as a bonus, as it was not expected to be part of the learnings.

When selecting the delegation from Saint-Martin Island to Tioman Island, we made sure to have representatives from local government and community. Local government representatives build ownership of the project activity and are then keen to support and guide the work in their area of jurisdiction. It also helps to formalize the adoption of new protocols. 

Regarding coral reef conservation, a local champion from Saint Martin Island community was trained in the reef check methodology. He successfully completed the certification in only 2 days, because he was already an excellent diver, - he is an underwater photographer -, and already knows coral and fish species identification. This training was for him a way to validate his existing competences, and gain access to a clear methodology that makes knowledge transfer to others easier.

Saint Martin Island has been selected by the Bangladeshi Department of Forest and  Department of Environment to go through the IUCN Green List process. A Bangladeshi expert in Marine Protected Area conducted the Green List self-assessment exercise with key stakeholders, and wrote the report, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the young marine conserved area. Coral reef protection and turtle conservation are both key management objectives in Saint Martin Island management plan. 

The site visit to Tioman was instrumental in bringing and reinforcing technical knowledge on both topics, to eventually improve conservation outcomes. The Green List engagement provides a strategic framework, encompassing these specific activities and ensuring they are sustained in the future, because they serve a higher ambition: inscribe Saint-Martin Island Marine Protected Area on the IUCN Green List. 

The expert also developed the site action plan, to guide improvement towards the Green List Standard. Turtle conservation and coral reef monitoring are included, which will help secure that the knowledge gained through the site visit in Tioman will be kept and put into practice.