Enhancing community outreach and stakeholder Participation for Conservation of sea turtles in Kilifi County, Kenya

The main aim of this project is to protect endangered sea turtles and their habitats in partnership with local communities and other stakeholders. The project aims at involving coastal local communities in Sea turtle conservation efforts. We also seek to establish a Local Marine Managed Area (LMMA) aiming at protecting the targeted marine turtles and their habitats. This will ensure that the turtles are protected both in-water and outside the waters. The nesting beaches will be under surveillance and monitoring to protect nesting turtles, eggs and the hatchlings. Sick turtles will be treated and released accordingly as per IUCN standards.

The project will hold a stakeholder consultative meetings to demarcate and zone the proposed LMMA site and also assist the development of specific LMMA policies and Co-Management Plan. We will conduct specific trainings on turtle’s protection, biodiversity protection and LMMA management skills that will lead to development of MOU with government agencies and other stakeholders. The project will undertake nesting beach patrols, surveillance and monitoring of nesting turtles and nests. Also, we will prepare and disseminate education and awareness information turtles to stakeholders and also create a livelihood activity. Sick and injured turtles will be treated, rehabilitated and released accordingly.