Mémoire
Résumé : Over centuries the interaction between people and sea turtles continues to exist in many forms in different cultures. Sea turtle tourism (STT) is a more recent and increasingly popular form of human-sea turtle interaction. The beaches of southern and southwestern Sri Lanka are important nesting grounds for five sea turtle species. Threats such as turtle shell trade, egg and meat consumption, and fisheries related bycatch have caused declines in the nesting population. There are two existing approaches of sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka, ex-situ protection of eggs through privately owned turtle hatcheries and community based in-situ conservation. Both the conservation approaches interact with tourism as they depend on STT for financial support. This study investigates the sea turtle tourism and conservation interaction in southern and southwestern Sri Lanka through two stakeholder- based approaches. We use Social Network Analysis and Q methodology (Q) to identify the key stakeholders involved in sea turtle conservation and/or tourism and understand their discourses regarding sea turtle management. The network mapping indicates weak sectoral collaboration within the government sector and increased privatization through sea turtle hatcheries are affecting sea turtle conservation. Using Q, we identify three distinct conservation discourses highlighting the preferred management approaches and governance related challenges regarding sea turtle conservation and tourism in Sri Lanka. The findings highlight a collective call to promote in-situ conservation with community involvement. Furthermore, standardized monitoring of the existing sea turtle hatcheries is recommended for effective sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka.

Documents en relation

DI-fusion