Ruaa Centre Raises Awareness of Plastic Pollution Threats to Marine Turtles in Al-Buraiqah

Aden— 22 September 

Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultancy and Training organised an awareness lecture on the risks of plastic waste to marine turtles in Al-Buraiqah District, Aden, as part of its “Coastal Women Leaders” project.

The session, entitled “The Risks of Plastic Waste to Marine Turtles”, was held at the Al-Buraiqah Local Authority building under the slogan “Together Towards Clean Beaches, a Safe Marine Environment, and a Better Future for Marine Turtles.” The activity was supported by the Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights (UAF) and implemented in coordination with the Al-Buraiqah District Local Authority.

In her remarks, Dr Jaklin Mansour Al-Batani, Head of Ruaa Centre, highlighted the urgent need to strengthen community awareness of the environmental pressures affecting Yemen’s coastal and marine ecosystems. She emphasised that protecting marine turtles requires addressing the sources of pollution, particularly plastic waste, while strengthening community participation in protecting beaches and natural habitats.

Dr Al-Batani also explained that the “Coastal Women Leaders” project seeks to strengthen the role of women and coastal communities in environmental protection and in addressing threats to marine ecosystems. She stressed that sustainable environmental protection requires effective cooperation between local authorities, communities, civil society organisations and environmental actors.

Mr Abdulazim Al-Shabhi, Director General of Social Affairs and Labour in Al-Buraiqah District, welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of community-based environmental awareness activities. He stressed the value of partnership between local authorities, community initiatives and civil society organisations in reducing plastic pollution and protecting the coastal environment.

Al-Shabhi reaffirmed the local authority’s support for initiatives that contribute to community development and environmental protection, noting that safeguarding beaches and marine resources is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated local action.

The technical session was delivered by Dr Jamal Bawazir, Head of the Environment Unit at Ruaa Centre. His presentation focused on the sources and impacts of plastic pollution and the threats plastic waste poses to marine turtles throughout their life cycle.

The session also explored the ecological importance of marine turtles, the coastal and marine habitats they depend on, and human practices that contribute to plastic waste entering the sea. Participants discussed practical measures to reduce these threats, including reducing single-use plastics, improving waste disposal practices, participating in beach clean-up activities and strengthening environmental awareness within local communities.

The activity is part of the “Coastal Women Leaders” project, which aims to empower women in coastal communities to play a greater role in environmental protection, promote community-led action, and contribute to the protection of marine turtles and coastal biodiversity.

Through the project, Ruaa Centre is working to connect women’s participation, environmental awareness and community action to support healthier coastal ecosystems and safer nesting and feeding habitats for marine turtles along the coast of Aden.