Memorandum of Understanding on the
Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and
their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia
MT-IOSEA/SS.3/
Resolution 3.2


31 March 2005



RESOLUTION 3.2

Policies for fisheries and coastal development activities in the Indian
Ocean and South-East Asia in the aftermath of
the Tsunami of 26 December 2004

Adopted by the Third Meeting of the Signatory States (Bangkok, 29-31 March
2005)

Concerned by the loss of life, property and livelihoods of hundreds of
thousands of families and communities of the Indian Ocean and South-East
Asia resulting from the Tsunami of 26 December 2004 and its
aftermath;

Recognising that marine fishing and other coastal activities play major
roles in the nutrition, livelihoods, and cultures of countless people and
communities of the IOSEA Region;

Conscious of the need, in the Tsunami's aftermath, for communities of the
IOSEA Region to reconstitute the economic and social viability of fisheries
and other coastal activities;

Recalling that, as established in the preamble of the Memorandum of
Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their
Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia, "the populations of the
six species of marine turtles of the Region are listed as vulnerable,
endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN - The World Conservation
Union Red List of Threatened Species";

Acknowledging the Guiding Principles for Post-Tsunami Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction endorsed by a UNEP-organised meeting on Coastal Zone
Rehabilitation and Management in Regions Affected by Tsunami (Cairo, 17
February 2005);


The Signatory States to the IOSEA Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding

1. Extend their sympathy to all parties affected by the Tsunami of
26 December 2004;

2. Congratulate those States and agencies working in the Region who
are developing and implementing guidelines for reconstruction that fully
implement the principles of sustainable fisheries and integrated coastal
zone management;

3. Urge States of the Region, other States working in the Region,
inter-governmental organisations, bi- and multi-lateral aid agencies,
non-governmental organisations and other concerned parties to ensure that
sustainable practices are adopted in the re-establishment of fisheries,
particularly with regard to minimising the by-catch of marine turtles and
impacts on their habitats;

4. Urge States of the Region, other States working in the Region,
inter-governmental organisations, bi- and multi-lateral aid agencies,
non-governmental organisations and other concerned parties to protect marine
turtles and the habitats on which they depend from impacts that can arise
from unsustainable coastal development, namely by implementing adequate and
careful zoning and long-term planning; and

5. Exhort States of the Region, and other concerned parties, to
ensure that any and all development activities be carried out with full
obligations to conserve marine turtles and their habitats, as specified in
the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of
Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia.