TURTLE killings continue but overnight change isn't to be expected, says the World Wide Fund for Nature.
This as the turtle monitor from Mali Island, Saiasi Mataitoga, reported to the turtle monitors meeting on Kia Island that turtles continued to be harvested.
"We have carried out the awareness in the village meeting and the vanua that turtle harvest is illegal unless (you have) a special permit," he said.
"But it continues so we have warned villagers those that are caught harvesting turtles will be reported to the authorities and be dealt with by the law."
WWF marine species officer Merewalesi Laveti told monitors that change was a gradual process and wasn't to be expected overnight. Other areas like Yadua, Yaqaga and Nakalou reported turtle harvesting had ceased since the turtle monitors pilot project was implemented.
"The overall report from monitors is that killing turtles aren't happening for the past six months since awareness started happening," she said.
"As they have mentioned they have informed bose vakoroko, talked about it in informal gatherings, at the bose ni yasana, bose ni tikina and the success here is that people are finally talking about it and slowly their attitudes towards conserving turtles are making a change for the positive.
"Change shouldn't be expected overnight รน we're still emphasising and reminding monitors that its important that we keep on informing people and the very important thing is the monitors themselves need to walk the talk.
"These turtle monitors were hunters before and the very fact that they have changed is a big lesson for the community."