The Bern Convention Group of Experts on the Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles was set up in 1986 and has been very active in identifying threatened species in need of specific conservation actions.

Particular attention has been given to the conservation of marine turtles, a species which has been the focus of numerous case files under the Bern Convention. At the 43rd Standing Committee, in order to help solve existing turtle case-files and prevent new ones, a Guidance Tool for governments and relavant stakeholders on Conservation of sea turtles nesting sites was adopted.

(Photo credit: Markus Haslinger)