The Matura Turtle Tourism and Conservation Programme
Case Study C0115
[edit]
| Date | 2000 |
| Agency | Nature Seekers Incorporated (NSI) |
| Donor/support agency | WildLife Section, Forestry Division, in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources UNDP Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network – WIDECAST Canadian High Commission – CHC |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Locality | Matura |
| Biodiversity focus | Coastal ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Safeguard the nesting habitat of Leatherback Turtles |
| Poverty reduction goals | Promote ecotourism as an alternative source of income for the local community |
Summary
During the 1970’s and 1980’s endangered Leatherback Turtles were slaughtered in large numbers for meat and eggs in Matura. Poachers took sometimes one flipper and left the rest to rot, while tourists came to view the turtles in large numbers, in this way disturbing the nesting process. In response to this situation, the government initially established a Prohibited Area under the Forest Act in 1990 to regulate the number of people that visit the beach. In the same year, the government made the first step to reach out to the community to seek their assistance in the conservation effort. As a consequence, a tour guide course was held and a community based organisation was formed (Nature Seekers Incorporated (NSI)).
The following objectives were established together by the government Forestry Division and Nature Seekers Inc. The main idea was to put the environment first and to initiate a Co-management arrangement between the government and the community. Some of the more specific objectives that were agreed upon were: to safeguard the nesting habitat of marine turtles and other natural resources from negative impacts; to develop awareness of the significance and value of the local habitat; to promote ecotourism as a tool for conservation of natural ecosystems, using the spectacular ecological behavior of the nesting Leatherback Turtles as the principle focus for this activity, and training young people in the community as nature tour guides and for other entrepreneurial activities.
In the early stage, the government funded the monitoring and research programme that the community was responsible for implementing. A few years after, NSI members went to training courses to learn the process of proposals writing and started identifying funding sources, both local and international, to support the turtle conservation programme. At the beginning, the villagers opposed the idea of the protected area because they were afraid this measure would hinder their fishing and recreation activities on the beach. The solution was to ensure that all members of the community would receive free permits to access the beach. The second major problem was poachers who killed turtles on a nightly basis. The solution was found inviting the children of the poachers to protect the turtle throughout the turtle season. This was so effective, that in one season approximately eight poachers and children of poachers were turned into conservationist.
Great success has already been achieved by the project: slaughtering of Leatherback Turtles has almost stopped and turtles can now nest undisturbed at Matura beach; the involvement and commitment of the members of the community has greatly increased since the inception of the programme, as well as their capacity building; employment levels have increased as a direct result of the programme in the form of Tour Guides and Turtles Taggers; the sales of souvenirs and nighttime business in the village have also increased.
Conservation impact
Slaughtering of Leatherback Turtles has almost stopped and turtles can now nest undisturbed at Matura beach.
Poverty reduction impact
The involvement and commitment of the members of the community has greatly increased since the inception of the programme, as well as their capacity building; employment levels have increased as a direct result of the programme in the form of Tour Guides and Turtles Taggers; the sales of souvenirs and nighttime business in the village have also increased.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Local employment/job creation
Reference 1
http://www.bestpractices.org/database/bp_display_best_practice.php?best_practice_id=2944
Reference 2
http://sgp.undp.org/index.cfm?Module=Projects&Page=ShowProject&ProjectID=3295
More information
Dennis Sammy, President NSI
Phone: (868) 668-0171
E-mail: natseek@tstt.net.tt
Related records above this one:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Organisation O0146)