An Overview Of Our Solution
Preventing the extinction of endangered loggerhead turtles in Cape Verde, Africa
Who is this solution impacting?
Ecosystem
Oceans/Coasts
Community Type
Rural
Additional Information
- Population Impacted:
- Continent: Africa
Problem
Describe the problem
SOS Tartarugas has halted the illegal hunting of endangered loggerhead turtles on the most significant beaches of the island of Sal, Cape Verde. Prior to the project starting there were hundreds of turtles being killed each year, with some beaches reaching 100% mortality. In 2011 only two turtles have been killed on protected beaches. The results were achieved through a combination of patrols to directly protect the turtles and collect data combined with extensive outreach and educational activities amongst the population and visitors to the island. The programme also includes lobbying politicians to ensure enforcement of protection, working with businesses to address threats from tourism development and workshops with authorities such as the City Hall, police, coastguard & judiciary.
Biodiversity Impact
Cape Verde is the 3rd largest nesting area for loggerhead turtles and they are protected by law. However there has been limited enforcement of the law and little data had been collected on the island of Sal. The City Hall of Sal worked with the Armed Forces to patrol beaches prior to 2008 but was extremely underfunded and under-resourced, resulting in inconsistent results. Now the population and distribution of nests is better understood and a cohesive conservation management plan for development, land management and sustainable tourism activities is possible. The coastal communities, government and authorities have a clearer understanding of the importance of turtles in the marine and coastal ecosystems and the need for protection. In 2008, the first year of the project, mortality of nesting turtles on Sal decreased by 72% and there has been a further decline of 10% in subsequent years, thereby helping to reduce the threat of extinction. The project is instrumental in the creation of three new national parks on Sal which will increase protection of the dunes, beaches and marine ecosystems.
Solution
The project has successfully protected turtles against a number of threats including hunting, stealing of nests, destruction of beaches and dunes by vehicles and unregulated construction & tourist activities on nesting beaches. The decline in mortality of nesting females has been achieved through a combination of direct protection and educational and outreach activities among adults and children. The most important nesting beaches are patrolled all night and each year a number of turtles have been recovered from hunters. Cape Verde and in particular, the island of Sal, has been targeted for mass tourism but the turtle friendly scheme for businesses is helping to minimise the effect that this is having on nesting beaches. A hatchery protects nests that have been laid in areas of high light pollution and also acts as a conservation centre, receiving hundreds of visitors a week. Quad bike trails have been designed in order to keep vehicles off the beach and maps and information are given to tourists and rental agencies. Educational activities include visits to schools, turtle camps, parades and craft sessions. Outreach among the adult population includes radio and television broadcasts, workshops for local authorities, training in fieldwork, turtle walks and project management, data collection by fishermen and open forums. Since limited knowledge of turtle biology, threats and the decline in population existed prior to the project this has contributed to a greater understanding of the need for protection. // Cape Verde consists of ten islands and parts of the project have been introduced in the majority of islands, so around 400,000.
Replicability
How many years has your solution been applied? 3 years // Have others reproduced your solution elsewhere? Yes // The beaches are monitored by local rangers and international volunteers. Key activities include patrols to protect turtles and collect data, relocation of doomed nests, lobbying for better enforcement of regulations and building relationships with businesses to promote turtle friendly practices. Education and outreach activities are conducted all year. Surveys are conducted amongst the population and businesses to determine barriers to engagement in conservation activities. The results that have been obtained from both the nesting beach data and during outreach and educational activities are analysed in order to fine tune strategy. We work closely with our partner, the City Hall to manage and coordinate all activities.
Human Well Being and Livelihood Impact
1. Employment: the conservation of turtles has created direct benefits for many who have been trained and employed as rangers and guides as well as others employed in the project such as drivers. 2. Heritage & Pride: This project and several others in the country have formed a network which operates on all islands, this has created a groundswell of conservation activities which brings pride and satisfaction to many communities who view turtles as part of the national heritage. 3. Capacity building: Fishing communities such as Pedra de Lume and Palmeira on Sal are increasingly taking an interest in managing their own nesting beaches. Many representatives of small communities from other islands have visited the project and enriched their own programmes through the training and knowledge they gained. 4. Education: For residents and tourists alike, visits to the nesting beaches to watch turtles laying are a strong motivating factor towards environmental awareness and participation in conservation activities. 5. Economic: The promotion of turtles as an ecotourism activity is stimulating increasing numbers of visitors to the islands, bringing benefits to the local economy. 6. Social: SOS Tartarugas also supports social projects for adults and children with donations and supply of equipment. Many thousands of visitors to the island have participated in conservation activities through turtle walks, volunteering and presentations. Amongst the resident population many hundreds have benefited from the project activities. // The programme is developed in conjunction with local partners, in particular the City Hall (Camara Municipal), INDP (Fisheries Research Institute), DGA (Directorate of the Environment) and other local authorities. In addition we work closely with the educational authorities to deliver environmental education and activities in line with the national curriculum. SOS Tartarugas support many grass root conservation projects through training, capacity building, funding and supply of equipment. Our association is a founding member of TAOLA (Capeverdean Sea Turtle Network) which comprises other government bodies, NGOs, City Halls and community projects and activities are coordinated & designed with other members.