Egypt launches new plan to protect Mediterranean sea turtles

Cairo – 3 April 2017: The Egyptian Ministry of Environment will initiate a plan this summer to protect sea turtles from extinction and slaughtering by fishermen across Egypt’s Mediterranean shores,

Al Monitor reported

Sunday.

The plan involves several elements of monitoring and informing the public on the importance of sea turtles’ survival, according to Al Monitor. The ministry will launch an awareness campaign to teach beachgoers the conservation of turtle eggs in case they are found abandoned by the beach.

The government will also take precautions against fishermen who deliberately slaughter sea turtles and sell their blood for extra income. Local residents who live near the sea share a misconception that sea turtle blood increase metabolism and sexual capability; therefore, turtle slaughtering plays a large role in the potential extinction of sea turtles.

The Alexandria Turtle Rescue Team (ATRT) has been protecting sea turtles since 2014 and successfully saved 41 turtles from slaughter, Al Monitor reported.

The newly-launched plan by the Ministry of Environment comes after the success of a prior plan to save sea turtles along the Mediterranean in 2016.