Lessons learned and insights to share from researching the human dimensions of sea turtles

Sea-turtles face increasing threats to their sustainability despite existing legal protection because policies and initiatives taken to provide their protection often fail to take into account the livelihood reality of human... [ view full abstract ]

Sea-turtles face increasing threats to their sustainability despite existing legal protection because policies and initiatives taken to provide their protection often fail to take into account the livelihood reality of human interactions with the species. A better understanding on what sea-turtles mean in the lives of those with whom they share important marine resources for various usages (habitat, food and well-being) is required because human activities in natural settings and their use of natural resources could also positively contribute towards ecosystem enhancement and marine endangered species' well-being. This paper firstly reviews the lessons learned from past studies that sought to better understand the contingencies that riddle social behaviour that ultimately interact with sea-turtle conservation.  Secondly, it shares the findings of a research conducted mainly in Terengganu -the most important sea turtle nesting site in Peninsular Malaysia, that focussed on the multiple perspectives of the human actors on sea-turtle conservation and investigated the significance of sea-turtle conservation on the livelihood of local people. Using the livelihood approach as the research framework and ethnographic and participatory field methods for data collection, the research also covered Brunei Bay in Borneo and Natuna Island, Indonesia - other known habitats for Terengganu sea-turtle population. The paper argues that although there are many challenges in the governance of this species at various levels, readily applicable solutions are available too. These findings provide important insights towards improved protection and conservation measures, ensuring the sustainability of both people's livelihoods and sea-turtle populations at local, national and regional levels.