Ghana's western coast remains a major nesting site for sea turtles; Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Green (Chelonia mydas), in West Africa. Unfortunately, hunting of nesting females, stealing/collecting eggs, nest predation by free-range pigs, dreadful plastic pollution and artisanal by-catch is greatly threatening survival of the species. A swift decline in their population is evidenced in the reducing number of nesting females recorded annually.
Ghana's western coast remains a major nesting site for sea turtles; Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Green (Chelonia mydas), in West Africa. Unfortunately, hunting of nesting females, collecting eggs, nest predation by free range pigs, dreadful plastic pollution and artisanal by-catch is greatly threatening survival of the species. A swift decline in their population is evidenced in the reducing number of nesting females recorded annually.
The method of approach to this project is a community led initiative to improve turtle survival and habitat restoration through; 1. Assessment and mapping of nesting sites to enable nest protection and bio monitoring patrols. 2. Community capacity building/skills development on turtle conservation. 3. Behavioral change education/sensitization. 4. Reclamation of degraded/polluted habitats. 5. Creation of a Community Resource Management Area (CREMA). it will enhance the protection of nesting turtl
The project advances a Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) approach for the protection and conservation of the entire Jomoro Coastal Landscape which hosts several species of flora and fauna some of which are IUCN endangered. It will directly involve the active participation of over 150 people living within the area. On the global level, the project addresses significant threatening processes including climate change and plastic pollution.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
