Oulanga association's mission and structure

François-Elie Paute, head of the knowledge and care for marine turtles division of the Oulanga association, has been leading efforts to protect marine turtles in Mayotte for nine years. The Oulanga association, established in 1998, initially operated through volunteers to combat marine turtle poaching but has since expanded its activities into three divisions: Awareness, Knowledge, and Protection.

Monitoring and poaching estimates

According to Paute, the association has implemented a monitoring network since 2010 to track poaching incidents more accurately. While official figures are difficult to determine due to the vast number of beaches (over 300), the association estimates that between 100 and 300 marine turtles are poached annually in Mayotte.

Threats and care initiatives

In addition to poaching, marine turtles in Mayotte face threats from accidental fishing and increased maritime traffic. The association estimates that at least 60 turtles per year require care due to injuries from these incidents. To address this, the Oulanga association has been working on a project to create a care center equipped with filtered long pools to ensure the recovery of injured turtles before their release.

Funding challenges and future plans

However, the project has been on hold due to financial constraints, including increased material costs from the war in Ukraine. The center requires around 1 million euros in funding, with half already secured. Discussions are ongoing with potential financiers, including European funds.

Education and tracking efforts

The care center is not only intended for medical treatment but also includes a museum designed to educate the public and schoolchildren about marine turtles. The association also plans to implement a tagging system to monitor the post-release development of treated turtles, a practice used in other countries. Tags ordered from the United States are expected to arrive within a few months, allowing the association to track the turtles' movements, survival, and other behaviors.

Challenges in releasing turtles

Paute noted that the success of this initiative depends on the health of the turtles at the time of release, as the association currently lacks the infrastructure to ensure they are fully recovered before release.