Sea turtles around the world face a number of threats that challenge their existence. ORPs initial objective was focused on a single observed threat of sea turtle entanglement in abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear in the Maldives. These early observations provided the catalyst that spearheaded the project from concept to charitable status. However, as ORP expanded its workforce and technical ability, we decided to take a more holistic approach to sea turtle conservation. This was achieved by shifting ORP’s vision from protecting sea turtles in the Indian Ocean from ghost gear to protecting sea turtles and their habitats everywhere. This new vision is achieved through rescue and rehabilitation, education and outreach and scientific research.
As of 2022, our Charitable Objectives are:
To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of sea turtles and their habitats in particular but not exclusively by:
- Promote humane behavior towards sea turtles by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals which need care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public and veterinarian community in matters pertaining to sea turtle welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering to sea turtles.
- Advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of sea turtles, by provision of talks, workshops, online courses and training.
- Advance the education of the scientific community by filling scientific data gaps in sea turtle research.
