TITLE OF THE PROJET

Strengthening marine turtle conservation strategies in the one of the world’s largest loggerhead rockery (Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde, West Africa) with an increasing participation of local communities

Statut : Encours

Structure: Turtle Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Tartaruga)

PAYS : CABE VERDE

Project justification mentioning the specific MPA conservation objective that is targeted by the project

The protection of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle in Boa Vista islands is protect the third loggerhead population in the word. Moreover, this population is the only relevant in the entire West Atlantic from the South Africa cost to the North Europe. Is classified in the eleven most endangered sea turtle population in the word. The Cape Verde loggerhead turtle constitutes a regional conservation unit, genetically distinct from other loggerhead populations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The proposal aims at providing full protection and monitoring the loggerhead turtles during the 2015 nesting season (from May until October) in the Natural Turtle Reserve (SE coast of Boa Vista Island), that harbours 25% of the nests in the island, records the highest pressure by uncontrolled turtle watching and seriously threatened by hunters. This potential threatened will be avoid and training in environmental education from universities and localities students will be provide. Moreover, we will hire local people and involvement them in all our activities. We will organize awareness activities in schools, hotels and all local communities.

Field of activity identified by the RAMPAO to which the project is

• Support for MPA management;
• Conservation and ecological monitoring;
• Bio-ecological and socio-economic monitoring;
• Communication, education and environmental awareness;
• Sustainable Tourism;
• Sustainable fisheries management;
• Purchase of tools and technical equipment in support of MPA operations

Main project objective
The main objective is to guarantee loggerhead turtles protection on João Barrosa beaches, located within the Natural Turtle Reserve (SE coast of Boa Vista Island). Furthermore, different activities will be conducted to encourage environmental awareness among both nationals and visitors, and to support sustainable development of local communities in terms of training and job opportunities