Guinea-Bissau is an important region for the reproduction of green turtles (Chelonia mydas), which manages to receive around 35,000 nests per year on the island of Poilão - João Vieira and Poilão National Marine Park (PNMJVP) and a significant number of this species on other islands of the Bijagós Archipelago and in the Varela area, on the mainland of the country, where there are also feeding grounds for juveniles.

 

These turtle populations are subject to several threats. In order to face these threats, the MAVA Foundation, in accordance with the priorities defined in its strategy within OAP1 for marine turtles, supported the first and second phases of the project "Consolidation of the conservation of marine turtles in the Bijagós Archipelago "2018-2022.

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This project will complement the current MAVA project, and fill existing gaps, in full synergy with MAVA's Action Plan for Results (OAP1): aligned with the 5 key strategies defined:

1) capacity building and research;

2) awareness raising;

3) strengthening of the legal and regulatory framework;

4) strengthening law enforcement;

5) strengthening the protection and restoration of key sites.

 

It is within this framework that an additional PRCM budget will be allocated to IBAP for a period of 3 years, in order to achieve two main results in the conservation of marine turtles, namely:

1) a significant reduction in the catch illegal sea turtles and their eggs in priority sites;

2) mitigation of destruction of natural and man-made habitats to ensure healthy and sustainable populations of Chelonia mydas in Guinea-Bissau.

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Project duration: 2020 - 2022