Sea Turtle Protection: LFZC, NCF sensitize coastal communities

THE Lagos Free Zone Company (LFZC) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) have begun sensitizing coastal communities about sea turtle conservation.

This follows the sea turtle conservation partnership signed between the duo last year.

According to the NCF’s communications manager, Oladapo Soneye, the ultimate vision of these activities was to promote the conservation of endangered sea turtles and reduce the impact of human activities on their population within the operational range and surrounding communities around the LFZC.

He added that the community awareness and sensitization exercises on sea turtles being undertaken were intended to support the ecosystem in mitigating the impact of human activities; educate and create awareness within and beyond surrounding communities; evaluate stakeholder behavior related to sea turtle conservation; and promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

Sea turtles play an important role in maintaining marine and coastal ecosystems. Their ecosystem functions include recycling nutrients, preserving habitat integrity, preserving the ecosystem of coastal reefs and coastal dunes.

Unfortunately, most sea turtle species are currently endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The population decline of these species is largely due to anthropogenic pressures on the species and its habitats.

Activities such as commercial fishing, nest habitat loss, pollution, harvesting their eggs, overfishing, and direct hunting of sea turtles for food have been cited by environmentalists as some of the contributing factors to the species’ decline.

As their population decreases, so does their ability to perform vital functions in the marine ecosystems.

Talking about the awareness programs, the NCF spokesperson said it took place at Magbon-Segun Hall, Okunraye Baale’s house and Idotun Hall with 115 participants coming from Magbon-Segun, Okesegun, Ilekuru, Okunraye, Lujagba communities , Idotun and Itoke.

He said the participants were educated about the role sea turtles play in the environment, how human activities had affected their population, and the possible conservation measures to reduce the impact of human activities on sea turtle conservation.

He explained that some of the concerns of those in attendance included the availability of protein substitutes for sea turtles; livelihood intervention; dealing with accidental catches; accounting for damaged gear; disagreement about the main causes of species decline; myths and beliefs; the role of large trawlers in species decline; actions against captive species; compensation for fishermen in case of damaged nets due to accidental capture of turtles.

Soneye said stakeholders in the various forums recommended continuous and consistent engagement with people, education and awareness programs in the surrounding communities to close the identified knowledge gap.

In their view, this would remove the negative perception about the conservation of the sea turtles and the monitoring of sea turtle activities along the LFZC operational areas to guide conservation efforts.

In addition, he said it would promote livelihood intervention to discourage dependence on the trade and consumption of sea turtles in the communities around the Lagos Free Zone Company; expand the awareness program to other stakeholders using the coast and adjacent habitats; cooperating with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and other relevant stakeholders on community sensitization; and advocacy and enactment of laws in conjunction with appropriate agencies, both at the community and state levels.

“It will regularly promote the celebration of beach cleanups and World Sea Turtle Days; research into the role and intensity of trawler killing at the industrial level and locals at the community level; and the establishment of a sea turtle research and protection center,” he said.

Participants in the awareness program included traditional leaders, youth leaders, representatives and partners, fishermen and traders.

NCF is Nigeria’s premier environmental NGO dedicated to wildlife conservation and biodiversity management.

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