Sponsored by:
The goal of this program is to promote informed decision-making and proactive management to prevent the extinction of sea turtles in Trinidad and Tobago, integrated with the well-being and needs of the human communities with which they interact.
Project Objectives
1. To protect marine turtle nesting populations on our index beaches, and gather information about our population of nesting leatherbacks, hawksbills and greens, that will inform management decisions
2. To gather information about the resident population of hawksbills and greens, foraging on the reefs and sea grass beds around Tobago that will inform management decisions.
3. To develop the capacity of the community organizations to continue the conservation of sea turtles
4. Public Awareness
- Promoting Community Tourism as a tool for conservation of natural ecosystems and species by using the spectacular ecological behaviour of the nesting Leatherback turtles as the principle focus for this activity.
- Safeguarding the nesting habitat of marine turtles and other natural resources from negative human activities through awareness activities.
5. To establish revenue generating capacity for the project.
It should be noted that the NMP is in itself solely a research program, and will never be able to sustain itself through research alone. Income must be generated from other associated activities pursued in the arena of tourism by each of our partner community groups, and some of this used to support the continuation of the NMP which is essential to the continued protection of our sea turtles.
6. Develop Beach Management Plans: Work with the stakeholders (members of the local community, members of turtle conservation groups, hoteliers, utilities in some cases – anyone who uses the beach or has any impact on the beach or its nesting turtles) to produce site-specific plans for Grande Riviere, Matura, Fishing Pond, Turtle Beach and Grafton that will direct the use of the resource, identify responsibilities of stakeholders, highlight research priorities and make recommendations to mitigate threats
ONSHORE MONITORING PROGRAMME
A nesting beach monitoring and survey program was designed to protect marine turtle nesting populations on our beaches and gather information that will inform management decisions.
OFFSHORE MONITORING PROGRAMME
An offshore monitoring program was designed and implemented through funding from Atlantic was designed to gather information about the population of resident Green and Hawksbill turtles foraging on the reefs and seagrass beds around Tobago and which will inform management decisions.
Reports:
