Biodiversity: turtles are disappearing, RAMPAO in action for their survival

The regional network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa (RAMPAO) in collaboration with the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserve, marked World Sea Turtle Day this Friday, June 16, 2023 in Conakry. A successful celebration crowned by the collection of plastic waste and the official launch of phase II of the Sea Turtle Survival (STM) project.

Every year on June 16, humanity celebrates World Sea Turtle Day. The day aims to raise awareness about the conservation of sea turtles and promote efforts to protect them. On this occasion, Guinea, through its wildlife sanctuary, notably the Loos Islands, which is a marine protected area since they favor the reproduction and passage of many species of migratory marine turtles, was chosen to commemorate the day by the regional network of marine protected areas (RAMPAO) and its partners.

Donation of kits to the municipality of Kassa

With the Guinean National Parks Office, RAMPAO donated a large quantity of sanitation kits to the urban commune of Kassa, and also collected plastic waste which poses a threat to sea turtles on one of the beaches abounding on the Loos Islands. An action that the mayor of the town welcomed very strongly, ensuring that it will strengthen the commitment of communities to the conservation of sea turtles.“It is a feeling of satisfaction and joy to have chosen my municipality for the first time for the celebration of this day which will strengthen everyone’s conviction in the fight against turtle fishing”, specifiesAbou Samaké,Mayor of the Urban Commune of

 Sustain beach cleaning

For the lieutenantSékou Kourouma, Head of the protected area planning and management department at the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves, cleaning beaches is of immense interest to sea turtles, because sea turtles do not like dirt.“It is to sustain by attracting the attention of the community in relation to beach cleanings, because these are the nesting and migration places for turtles”,he says in terms of perspective.

Phase II of the Sea Turtle Survival project

Precisely for the protection and conservation of sea turtles, theRAMPAOtook advantage of World Sea Turtle Day to officially launch phase II of its Sea Turtle Survival project. This project aims to reduce the risk of mortality of sea turtles entrained by humans by supporting community actions to protect protected marine areas.“The Sea Turtle Survival Project in its phase II really aims to reduce human impacts by encouraging people to change their behavior, in particular by supporting them in the protection, preservation and awareness in and around marine protected areas”,explainsBah Jean Marie Traoré, project manager of the Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa which makes up eight countries.

Until now, international waters, which constitute the ideal habitat for sea turtles, do not benefit from official international protection, despite the crucial role they play in the balance of the ecosystem. However, good news has just emerged: United Nations member states have finally reached an agreement after fifteen years of discussions on a text aimed at preserving international waters. This text will be adopted during the meeting scheduled for Monday June 19, 2023 at the UN.

It should be remembered that of the 356 terrestrial and marine species of modern turtles, 61% are either endangered or already extinct, confirms a study published in the journal “BioScience” in 2018.

Ibrahima Sory BAH