Context 

Marine turtles are culturally significant and ecologically important species across the Pacific Islands region. However, pressures from both legal and illegal harvesting for customary use, food security, and trade, combined with climate change and habitat degradation, pose serious threats to their survival. While regional and national management plans exist, there has historically been a lack of comprehensive, up-to-date data on turtle harvesting rates and usage patterns by communities an essential gap hindering effective conservation strategies. To strengthen regional conservation action, the PEUMP Programme supported SPREP to implement community-based turtle use surveys across three Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Tonga. 

The primary aim of the surveys was to gather reliable data on the scale and nature of marine turtle use at the community level, including both legal and illegal take, across multiple contexts. The surveys were also designed to provide critical data for the marine turtle extinction risk assessment model, inform national-level policy interventions, and support capacity development among community monitors and conservation stakeholders. Given the sensitive nature of harvesting practices, significant effort was made to engage national agencies, traditional leaders, and community-based organisations in survey planning, training, and implementation.  

The studies built on a methodology pioneered by The Nature Conservancy in Solomon Islands in 2017.  

Survey implementation took place over a four-year period from 2020 to 2024, with multiple delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, and coordination challenges. Despite these disruptions, strong partnerships with WWF Pacific and Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA),  enabled the surveys to progress. In Fiji, PNG, and Tonga, national Turtle Risk Workshops were conducted in early 2025 to share preliminary results and engage local stakeholders. These workshops, along with site-based monitoring activities and a forthcoming regional forum, provided a platform for feedback and ownership of findings among communities and government agencies. 

Change Process 

Survey Design and Partnerships 

The surveys were developed through a consultative process involving SPREP, WWF Pacific, national environment ministries, and turtle conservation experts. Questionnaire design began in 2020, with input from the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group and partners. Framework agreements were signed with WWF Pacific for Fiji and PNG, while VEPA was contracted for the Tonga survey. The approach was tailored to each country through concept notes, workshop consultations, and official sign-off from relevant ministries. The surveys sought to quantify both legal and illegal turtle take, understand community motivations and practices, and contribute to improved management frameworks. 

Training and Field Implementation 

In Fiji, a Service Agreement with WWF was signed in November 2020, and a training workshop for 14 community turtle monitors (9 women, 5 men) was conducted in early 2021. Data collection began shortly thereafter, with multiple contract amendments made to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions and cyclone disruptions. In Tonga, VEPA commenced field activities following approval in late 2021, with community surveys and data logger deployment initiated after severe weather delays. In PNG, surveys commenced under a WWF-led partnership, though implementation was hindered by the sudden death of a local coordinator and COVID-related delays, requiring several contract extensions. . 

Data Analysis and Reporting 

Throughout the implementation, consultants and national partners submitted progress reports and draft findings, which underwent technical reviews by SPREP and national agencies. In Fiji, final reports were submitted in 2023 and are currently being reviewed for publication following peer validation. In Tonga and PNG, final reports were completed and shared with government stakeholders. All national reports are being consolidated as part of a regional statistical analysis of turtle use, led by Proteus Research Consulting. This analysis will incorporate final data from the surveys and inform regional turtle conservation actions and extinction risk assessments. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Feedback 

National Turtle Risk Workshops were held in Fiji, Tonga, and PNG in February 2025 to present preliminary findings, engage government and civil society stakeholders, and gather feedback. These workshops were strategically held ahead of the planned Regional Turtle Forum in  April 2025 to allow for national-level dialogue. Community-level dissemination has also taken place through local workshops, educational campaigns, and public resources such as WWF’s children’s book Sisi Returns and community posters in PNG. A communications and visibility strategy is under development to support wider uptake of findings. 

Results and Impact 

Community turtle use surveys were successfully implemented in Fiji, PNG, and Tonga, with over 60 community monitors trained and national reports submitted for review. Preliminary findings have been shared with governments and local communities, providing the first regionally coordinated dataset on customary and food security use of marine turtles. While full results await completion of the regional statistical analysis and publication, the data is already contributing to the extinction risk model and informing national marine turtle management strategies. These surveys also built capacity among community members and government staff, laying the groundwork for long-term monitoring and conservation partnerships. 

The surveys were not only a data collection exercise but also a process of capacity building and inclusive engagement, particularly evident in Tonga. In collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, the survey planning included translation into Tongan and ensured culturally appropriate implementation across three island districts. Household surveys actively included women, and the process helped raise awareness through targeted outreach, demonstrating a strong commitment to gender-inclusive approaches. 

In addition to household surveys, beach temperature monitoring and genetic sampling were carried out, involving intensive local training on sensor deployment, GPS mapping, and retrieval techniques. These efforts sparked new conversations on climate change and turtle conservation, especially around the vulnerability of nesting sites. Communities expressed strong interest in continuing and even expanding these efforts, showing a promising shift toward sustained environmental stewardship. 

A notable impact of these activities was the elevation of turtle conservation as a public conversation topic, particularly in contexts where discussions around traditional or illegal harvesting can be culturally sensitive. In Tonga, this led to a breakthrough in openly addressing turtle use practices, both within communities and among government officials, many of whom acknowledged their own past participation in such activities. This shift marks a deeper understanding of the need for balanced conservation strategies that respect cultural identity while promoting sustainable use. 

Moreover, the collection of genetic samples will support the identification of turtle populations harvested in Tonga, contributing to broader regional conservation goals and improved resource management. This scientific insight is essential for designing targeted protection efforts and understanding migratory patterns across jurisdictions. 

While challenges remain, such as the cultural sensitivity around discussing turtle harvesting. The project has proven that, with the right training and empathetic engagement strategies, communities are willing to participate in long-term monitoring and co-management. The data collected is already contributing to the marine turtle extinction risk model and is informing national marine turtle management strategies across the region. 

Lessons Learned 

• The COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, and logistical challenges required multiple contract extensions and adaptive planning. Maintaining momentum depended on strong partner collaboration and willingness to revise timelines and scopes of work. 

• Legal and cultural sensitivities around turtle harvesting require respectful, country-specific approaches. Early engagement with traditional leaders, local NGOs, and government ministries helped secure trust and support. 

• Ensuring that communities understand how their data contributes to regional decision-making has increased their investment in conservation outcomes.  

• Timely feedback loops through workshops and educational tools were essential for transparency and accountability.