NASTNet is a network to stimulate the conservation of marine turtles in North Africa
This initiative aims to strengthen the coordination of marine turtle conservation efforts among North African countries, develop a network strategy to share experiences, support and strengthen the capacities of partners in the fields of conservation awareness raising and scientific research, seek and solicit funding opportunities for the conservation of marine turtles as well as coordination with Mediterranean and international organizations and initiatives active in the field.
Our expert members
—Marine Ecology researcher, Egypt
Mohamed Saïd Abdelwarith
Founding member of the North African Sea Turtle Network (NASTNet)
I have more than 15 years of experience in marine ecology and conservation of marine megafauna i.e. marine mammals & marine turtles. I participated in the preparation of many action plans and management of marine species and habitats at the national level. I have experience in organizing field surveys, trainings, workshops, and dealing with communicating with stakeholders and sea users. I also have experience in relevant international and regional conventions, as well as, participating in scientific and international conferences and forums concerned with the protection of the marine ecology, protected areas, and biodiversity.
—Marine conservation Expert, Morocco
Pr Mustapha Aksissou
NastNET Member of the executive committee
Active in research and conservation of sea turtles in Atlantic and Mediterranean Morocco, since 2001. Coordinator of the National Action Plan for sea turtles in Morocc in 2021, Coordinator of the Marine Biodiversity Conservation Master since 2018 and President of the Association de Protection des Tortues Marines au Maroc (ATOMM) since 2008, and Chair of Nominating Committee (International Sea Turtle Symposium 2022). Involved in several meetings, conferences and symposia on sea turtle biology and conservation, in Morocco, the mediterranean and in ISTS. Have published many publications with Wafae Benhardouze and Manjula Tiwari. Interested in awareness, bycatch mitigation, strandings, gut contents and use.
—Expert in marine and coastal environment conservation, Algeria
Dr. Mouloud Benabdi
Secretary General of the NASTNet
Coordinator of activities relating to the conservation of marine turtles and the stranding network in Algeria on behalf of the Algerian Ministry of the Environment and SPA / RAC. Responsible for drafting the National Action Plan for the conservation of marine turtles in Algeria. Contributor to the report on the conservation status of marine turtles in the Mediterranean (Marine Turtles Specialist Group). Organizers and facilitator of several training courses relating to the conservation of marine turtles for the benefit of stakeholders in the sea in Algeria. Has published numerous scientific publications and reports in the field of marine turtles. Interested in the marine turtles conservation in Algeria and Mediterranean, monitoring nesting beaches, interactions with fishing and marine litter, stranding and public awareness.
—Marine conservation Researcher, Libya.
Salih Diryaq
NASTNet member of the executive committee
Active in the field of marine conservation, especially in the conservation of sea turtles in the Gulf of Sirte, Libya since 2005, a major participant in the establishment of the Libyan Sea Turtles Program in 2005, Organized several awareness programs and activities that contributed to raising community awareness for the conservation of sea turtles in Sirte, Libya, participated in a number of local and regional meetings and symposia on marine turtle biology and conservation, participated with colleagues from Libya, Tunisia and Italy in editing the book entitled “Marine Turtle Research and Conservation in Libya'' published by SPA/RAC in June 2021. Interested in Nesting Beach Survey, Strandings Monitoring, Necropsy, community awareness, Genetics and Isotopes research.
—Marine conservation Expert, Libya
Dr. Abdulmaula Hamza
NastNET Member of the executive committee
Active in research and conservation of sea turtles in Libya and the Mediterranean, since 1998. Edited the National Action Plan for sea turtles in Libya in 2002, and updated it in 2020, Founded the Libyan Seaturtle Program in 2005, and worked as the main coordinator of the program till 2008. Involved in several meetings, conferences and symposia on sea turtle biology and conservation, in Libya, the mediterranean and in Malaysia. Have published a book with SPA/RAC where all results of the LibSTP work from 2005 to 2019 are presented, with colleagues from Libya, Tunisia and Italy. Interested in nesting ecology, satellite tracking, awareness, bycatch mitigation, tissue banks and Genetics.
—NastNET President
Dr. JRIBI Imed
Marine conservation Expert, Tunisia
Active in research and conservation of sea turtles in Tunisia and the Mediterranean, since 1997. Regional Vice-chair of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) - Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Edited the National Action Plans for sea turtles in Tunisia and Egypt and the strategy to fight against trade illegal sea turtles in Tunisia. Engaged in the monitoring of the nesting beach of Kuriat island (the most important in Tunisia) and worked as the coordinator of the fieldwork. Involved in several meetings, conferences and symposia on sea turtle biology and conservation, in Tunisia, the Mediterranean and globally. Have published about fifty papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, 3 chapters in Books and several technical reports and documents related mainly to the sea turtles. Interested in nesting ecology, bycatch evaluation and mitigation measures, awareness, satellite tracking....
—Environmental Researcher, Egypt
Ms. Nahla Naguib
NastNET Member of the executive committee
Active in conservation and monitoring program of sea turtles in Egypt since 2015.
Participated in Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region Phase I (Egypt).
Conducting genetic studies on sea turtles in Egypt. Interested in molecular ecology.
Nahla Naguib, M.Sc.
Environmental Researcher
Nature Conservation Sector, EEAA
Genetic Engineering Research Center, Cairo University – Egypt
—Expert in environmental education and conservation of marine turtles, Tunisia
Ahmed Souki
Member of the executive board of the NASTNet network
Currently vice-president of the Notre Grand Bleu association, since 2012 he has actively participated in the implementation of activities relating to the conservation and rescue of marine turtles in the Kuriat Islands and around Monastir. He participated in several training and public awareness actions in Tunisia and elsewhere, on the various issues impacting marine turtles. Interested in marine turtle conservation, monitoring nesting beaches, interactions with fishing and marine litter, turtle rescue and public education and awareness.
