Scaling-Up Sea turtle conservation through the establishment of a Local Marine Managed Area (LMMA) in Marereni

The project area exhibit an outstanding marine biodiversity with diverse coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grass beds and a lucrative fishing industry that support livelihoods of the local communities. However,  a lot of destructive cases have been witnessed, Key among these are; over exploitation  of marine resources i.e. corals, pelagic fish, marine turtles, invertebrates, use of destructive and unsustainable methods for resource exploitation which in essence exacerbate the impoverishment  of  the biodiversity. The project was implemented in Marereni seascape where the rare and endangered green sea turtle are dominant and under threat of poaching. This project is part of the IUCN Save Our Species African Wildlife initiative, which is co-funded by the European Union. The project aim is to enhance sea turtle protection and build the capacity of  community to effectively undertake conservation activities. Attitude change,  LMMA established, poaching reduced  and habitat health enhanced are the impacts.