Sep
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Written by:
frank zindel
01.09.2010
Report of the Second Workshop of CVSTN (TAOLA)
Marine Club
Sal Rei, Boavista
June 28-30, 2010
The Second Workshop of CVSTN, (the Cape Verde Sea Turtle Network, now called TAOLA), sought to gather all actors that are directly related to the conservation of sea turtles and working for the defense and protection of turtles in Cape Verde, such as: public institutions, NGOs, Associations, Municipalities, Universities etc.. so that they could socialize together ideas about their projects and propose solutions for improving the Campaign conservation and protection of marine turtles in Cape Verde.
Upon being presented all the results of those projects that have the same goal - the Protection and Conservation of marine turtles in Cape Verde, it was possible not only to assess the impact of these and give the opportunity to make available to the public the information regarding this work in the various islands, how it is done, with what resources and support and most importantly, identify the weaknesses and constraints, which were transformed into strengths so as to make network more efficient and effective.
Also presented were scientific studies by the Natura 2000 and the work at Camp Ervatão and how data are collected for the annual reports.
So over three days of learning and discussions, several solutions were proposed to achieve better results and improve the work. In particular:
Ø There has to be greater protection of nesting areas - through a strong campaign to raise awareness amongst local authorities, in regard to building construction and work in these areas;
Ø Include in the curriculum of the National Police and the military, the importance of protection and conservation of marine turtles and the enforcement of existing legislation;
Ø Training for Volunteers, guards, guides, local associations and others involved in this area of protection, through a selection made with pre-defined criteria (profile evaluation), enabling the smooth operation and continuity of protection and conservation of marine turtles in CV;
Ø Search for funding to pay for all costs of initiatives to protect and conserve the marine turtles in Cape Verde, and to allow for production of scientific data;
Ø Prioritization and standardization of census of nests at the national level with the coordination of UniCV;
Ø Creation of national database
Ø Improving the methods for raising awareness of the policy layer, since it is this which is responsible for making decisions at national level, how to record the commitment of each to the protection of marine turtles in Cape Verde and spent on TV;
Ø To urge the authorities to approve the PNCTM-CV (Plano Nacional de Conservação de Tartarugas Marinhas-Cabo Verde)
Ø Hold a meeting with Environment Minister and the CVSTN (Cape Verde Sea Turtle Network).
Ø Create a law governing Turtle Watching activities;
Ø Dissemination of scientific work within the network;
Ø It was proposed to create a National Network of Protection of marine turtles in Cape Verde (TAOLA) encompassing all NGOs and institutions present at the workshop, having as:
• Vision Network: The Making of Cape Verde, a country of reference for the conservation and protection of sea turtles and their habitats, bequeathing to future generations a healthy and ecologically balanced environment.
Network • Mission: Promote the implementation of the National Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles and Cape Verde in a logical and systematic cross.
• Role and Objectives of the Network: To promote the socialization and coordination of various initiatives for the conservation, protection and exchange of experiences as a way to unify local efforts in the implementation of PNCTM.
• How to enhance and improve the relationship and collaboration between members of the Network: Organizing an annual meeting where they presented all the initiatives to conserve and protect, and develop a Web page for the dissemination of works, activities, news, announcements and reports.
• Means to make the network more useful and efficient for the conservation of marine turtles: efficient coordination, and define the roles and responsibilities of each member of the network.
• Instructions for collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and other Cape Verdean authorities with responsibility for conservation of marine turtles: Raise awareness among political entities (send messages on television, presentations to parliamentary and municipal politicians involved in local projects) Schedule an annual meeting with the Minister to discuss the protection and conservation of marine turtles; mobilize organizations in preventing and combating poaching and working on enforcement of the law, and continued training of patrols, guides, etc.
• Focal Points Network: INDP, an NGO (representative of NGOs involved in PCTM) UNICV and DGA.
A major workshop was the focus of legislation relating to Ecotourism - more precisely the Turtle Watching in Cape Verde, where all present were concerned and sensitive to this issue. Once the turtles arrive on the nesting beaches, many people want to come to see them, and it is very easy to disturb the turtles and prevent them from nesting. The guides often do not have the correct information to pass on to tourists and most importantly, do not have adequate training to properly view the nesting activity without disturbing turtles and causing them stress. Thus it is urgently needed to create legislation regarding Turtle Watching and to regulate these activities in Cape Verde.
There has to be a code of conduct at the national level that will enable Ecotourism / Turtle Watching, a source of income (the creation of a conservation fund) that can, at least in part, bear the costs of marine turtle conservation projects and initiatives, and to delineate conservation areas where this activity is limited or impossible, and to invest in adequate training for guides and for evaluation of projects in this area.
There is considerable interest in conducting a study on illegal trade and consumption of sea turtles in Santiago, which is the largest market for turtle meat, coming also from other islands. The purpose of this study is essentially to stop this trade, and to provide training to the authorities located at ports and airports and to campaign nationally with the owners of the restaurants to cease the consumption of turtle meat.
Other concerns that were at the table work of this workshop were: Role of local and national government to protect sea turtles; How to continue to provide the military presence on the beaches and enhance their participation in the programs, to clarify the law concerning protection of turtles, and the roles of different government entities in each case, to clarify who is responsible for applying the law, how to communicate this information to the enforcers of the law, and how to improve the implementation of these same laws, as well as how to clarify the relevant legislation regarding artificial lighting in the coastal zone and other issues of beachside construction.
Since 2010 is the Year of Biodiversity, and we're living in an environment with endangered species, when it comes to climate change as well as direct human interaction, all efforts are needed to try to minimize their drastic consequences and protect the most vulnerable species, as is the case of marine turtles.
This effort involves the creation of laws to protect this species, and projects coordinated by Taola Network (Cape Verde Sea Turtle Network) and the involvement of each and every one, (authorities, NGOs, local associations and civil society).
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