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USAID works with private sector in El Salvador to boost sea turtle conservation efforts
By BNO News
SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR (BNO NEWS) – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is trying to encourage private sectors in El Salvador to join the sea turtle conservation effort, USAID said Friday.
A diverse group of private sector representatives in San Salvador, El Salvador met with the USAID on Friday, discussing conservation efforts as sea turtles, which are an endangered species, nest along the Salvadoran coastline.
A goal has been set to raise $1.2 million over the next five years to establish by a public-private partnerships in order to finance both the management of marine resources and the conservation of the turtle species. These funds will aid in the collection, incubation, and release of at least 80 percent of the sea turtle eggs laid on the beaches in El Salvador.
In February 2009, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador established a complete and permanent ban on the sale and consumption of sea turtles and sea turtle products, as just two years ago, human beings had consumed more than 95 percent of the turtle eggs in El Salvador.
Several social sectors are working together more effectively to increase the number of hatcheries in El Salvador, and these USAID-supported actions have resulted in the incubation of more than one million turtle eggs. However, experts estimate that the species remains on the brink of extinction.
“The U.S. Government is pleased to support the efforts to protect and restore these important natural and economic resources,” U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Robert Blau said. “With the financial support of USAID, studies have been carried out which reveal that this country is the most important country in all of Latin America for the survival of the Hawksbill turtle.”
Within the sea turtle conservation component of the USAID Improved Management and Conservation of Critical Watersheds Project, USAID has supported the setup and operation of more than 30 hatcheries on beaches, protecting over 120 kilometers of coastline, releasing 900,000 newborn turtles, developing ecotourism, and awarding $400,000 direct economic incentive to tortugueros (poachers) who now work as beach keepers and are paid for egg collection and beach protection services.
In addition, a mass media campaign, which is part of the project, has nationally promoted conservation strategies of sea turtles in El Savlador.
Blau and representatives from USAID participated in a breakfast with business leaders and members of environmental conservation groups, along with two special guests: Biologist Wallace J. Nichols and Oceanographer and Environmental Economist Fabien Cousteau (grandson of Jacques Cousteau, the celebrated French sailor and researcher).
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