Protect a Central African Island Refuge for Sea Turtles
Support More Work Like ThisSupport More Work Like ThisMigratory sea turtles are fighting for survival as critical feeding and nesting habitats of Central Africa’s island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe suffer widespread degradation.
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Species at Risk
Scalloped Hammerhead (CR), Hawksbill Turtle (CR), Oceanic Whitetip Shark (CR), Green Turtle (EN)
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Carbon stored
30,016 mT*
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
Fauna and Flora International
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21,505 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
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Project Cost: $572,000
21,505
Migratory sea turtles are fighting for survival as critical feeding and nesting habitats of Central Africa’s island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe suffer widespread degradation.
-
Species at Risk
Scalloped Hammerhead (CR), Hawksbill Turtle (CR), Oceanic Whitetip Shark (CR), Green Turtle (EN)
-
Carbon stored
30,016 mT*
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
Fauna and Flora International
-
21,505 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
-
Project Cost: £472,727
21,505
Did you know?
of the 6 globally threatened species of sea turtles nest here.
Important feeding and nesting sites for critically endangered sea turtles are increasingly threatened by beachside development and other threats in São Tomé and Príncipe. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices are causing the rapid decline of fish stocks and the widespread degradation of marine ecosystems.
The waters and beaches of São Tomé and Príncipe are home to five species of sea turtles struggling to survive: the Critically Endangered Hawksbill Turtle, Endangered Green Turtle, and Vulnerable Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Loggerhead.
Rainforest Trust and our partner, Fauna and Flora International, are working to create 21,505 acres of Marine Protected Areas in São Tomé and Príncipe—the first of their kind in the country. The marine reserves will consist of both highly restricted and sustainable-use areas.
Header photo: The Hawksbill Turtle, by Andrei Armiagov
Discover the Archipelago Nation of São Tomé and Príncipe
Loggerhead Turtle, by Vladimir Wrangel
Leatherback Turtle, by Catalinaug
Baby Olive Ridley Turtles, by Guillermo Ossa
Hawksbill Turtle, by Rich Carey
Green Turtle, by SaltedLife
Green Turtles, photo by Renatura
Hawksbill Turtle, by Tchami
School of Scalloped Hammerheads, by Tomas Kotouc
Oceanic Whitetip Shark, by Martin Hristov
Scalloped Hammerhead, by Joe Dordo Brnobic
Protect Diverse Marine Ecosystems from Destruction
This project will protect a range of essential marine habitats, including rocky reef rhodolith (unattached chalky nodules resembling coral), sandy bottom, and the country’s largest mangrove forest of nearly 600 acres on São Tomé. These habitats are essential to the survival of the threatened turtles and all of the archipelago’s myriad marine species. Formal protection of these habitats gives them the only chance of recovery from the degradation they have suffered.
The country’s waters also harbor predator species of high importance to overall marine ecosystem health, including Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Oceanic Whitetip Shark and Sand Tiger Shark.
Help Threatened Species Bounce Back
As sensitive marine species face the impacts of climate change, we must protect their feeding, breeding and nesting sites to help build their resilience—especially in this equatorial region that is expected to be disproportionately impacted by climate change. Ongoing surveys and tagging of marine species will monitor the abundance, size and species present in the marine protected areas. Our partner will engage with small scale fisheries and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable and efficient management of local marine resources.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT >
We Value Transparency.
Conservation work is critical, challenging, and can be costly. We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project. In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget, excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund. This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics.
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Stop Unsustainable Fishing in Philippine Coral Reefs and Mangrove Forests
Partnering to Save Rainforest
Our partners’ ability to work with their governments and build strong connections with local communities ensures the successful implementation of our projects.
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