As part of the implementation of the Action Plan for the conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean, the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (UNEP-PAM-SPA/RAC) organized in close collaboration with the National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH) in Tangier, Morocco, a training and awareness-raising workshop on the role of marine turtle rescue centres, from November 21 to 23, 2024.

The event brought together national and international, scientific, institutional, and associative actors, including the responsible of the marine turtle rescue centre at INSTM Monastir, Tunisia, the president and director of the Centre for the Study and Protection of Mediterranean marine turtles in La Grande Motte, France (CESTMed).

The first day was devoted to a theoretical session on the role of rescue centres in marine turtle rehabilitation and data collection for the conservation of these species. In the afternoon, participants, including the INRH scientific team involved in the care of stranded marine animals (researchers, veterinarians and technicians) took part in a practical necropsy workshop.

The second day was dedicated to examining the role of rescue centres in raising awareness, promoting environmental education, and supporting scientific research. Representatives from the fishing industry, observers, scientists, members of associations and diving clubs, environmental professionals, law enforcement officials, fishermen, and Moroccan administrators participated in this session and presented recommendations aimed at enhancing sea turtle conservation initiatives in Morocco.

On the third and final day, a restricted group of scientists visited the INRH's Centre Specialized in Zootechnics and Aquaculture Engineering in M'diq, which is proposed to host Morocco's first marine turtle rescue centre. During the visit, the technical, logistical, administrative and financial aspects essential to the effective operation of such a centre were explained and discussed with the staff responsible for the new centre.

This training marked an important step in capacity building for marine turtle conservation in Morocco. It strengthened synergies between the various actors involved in marine biodiversity conservation while providing a platform for scientific and technical exchanges.

SPA/RAC would like to thank INRH for co-organizing the training session as well as INSTM and CESTMed for their commitment and valuable contribution to the success of this event. Together, we are taking another step towards better protection of sea turtles and their habitat.