The Gabon Sea Turtle Partnership
Gabon hosts the biggest leatherback population in the world, the highest nesting density in Africa and, possibly, as much as 30% of the global population of this critically endangered species.
But Gabon's leatherbacks and other sea turtle species (green turtles, hawksbills and olive ridleys) are threatened. The main dangers are poaching of eggs and adults, intentional and accidental fishing, and habitat disturbance and degradation, such as pollution, development, erosion, lighting, debris and logs.
In 2005 we created the Gabon Sea Turtle Partnership, or Partenariat Tortues Marines du Gabon, a network of all the sea turtle projects in Gabon. Until then, sea turtle efforts were fragmented and hampered by lack of coordination and scarce funds. Now, through the Partnership, we have been identifying and addressing the major priorities for research and conservation of sea turtles nationwide. Our long-term goal is to protect these endangered reptiles for Gabon and for the world's natural heritage.
Sea Turtle Protection in Gabon
In 2002 the Gabonese government designated 13 new national parks, two with the specific purpose of protecting globally important nesting beaches. Overall, there are five parks protecting important sea turtle habitat: Pongara National Park, Akanda National Park, Loango National Park, the Gamba Complex of Protected Areas (including Moukalaba-Doudou National Park) and Mayumba National Marine Park (bordering on Congo's Conkouati-Douli National Park). We have been working closely with the Agence National des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN) and with the other relevant government bodies as we seek to strengthen habitat protection and legislation. Since 2011 the government of Gabon has decreed that all sea turtle species must be integrally protected, something we are extremely happy about!
Our Objectives
The Partnership prioritises several specific objectives to tackle as a group: standardisation of monitoring and nest protection, enhancement of habitat surveillance and beach patrols, rigorous scientific research, strengthening of the tagging programme, standardised data-collection methods and staff training, data-storage and data-sharing in a national database, concerted outreach and awareness-raising campaigns, including the development of stronger links between sea turtle conservation and local communities, aerial surveys of the entire coastline, and a focus on the most serious threats, such as logs on the beaches, artificial lights and illegal fisheries. We have a number of task forces working on each of these issues, and the rest of this website will describe their activities in turn.
Just for Kids
Do you wonder what you, as a kid, can do to help sea turtles? Well, here are a few ideas you can try at home!
Did you know that trash can be very damaging to sea turtles and the environment? If they don't have one already, ask your family to set up a recycling system in your home:
1. Re-use glass and plastic containers (you can earn major points with your folks if you wash them out!). Try to minimise your use of plastic bags – you can even recommend your family shopping is done using a canvas reusable carrier!
2. Separate your food scraps (except for meat) from all the other trash and start a compost to feed your garden. If you don't have a lot of space, you can even do a small planter on your windowsill. YUM, fresh veggies!
3. Put all paper scraps into a separate bin. Then, for a fun, messy art project, shred them all up, put them in a bucket of water until they turn to goo, and strain them out over a screen to make your own paper. If you find some flower petals or pretty leaves, you can place them on the screen too, and have beautiful paper for writing letters to your friends!
Turtle Tourism in Gabon
Across the estuary from Libreville, just a 20-minute boat ride away, is Pongara National Park. It's a beautiful mix of sandy beaches, savannah, and forest. You won't want to miss the Pongara Eco-museum, just steps away from the beach. At the Eco-museum ask about their tours offering you the chance to go on night time turtle walks! We've also been working with several hotels in the area to help them be more "turtle friendly", so if you are planning to stay the night, be sure to ask your hotel what they are doing to help turtles!
Be sure to bring a flashlight with a red filter- it's the only way to have light without disturbing the sea turtles as they nest, because they can't see that color. Your guide will tell you all about the turtles, as well as how to behave safely around them. But don't worry, sea turtles are not dangerous, unless you consider getting sand in your hair dangerous! If you keep a respectful distance, there's no worry of that.
The peak of the leatherback nesting season in Gabon is December and January- a perfect winter getaway during the holidays! Balmy tropical breezes, cool sparkling sea for taking a dip, and of course, amazing ancient sea turtles only metres away! It's an unforgettable experience!
The NGOs that make up Gabon's Sea Turtle Partnership are