Cape Verde wants to promote turtle tourism in a sustainable way

The Cape Verdean government will conduct a public assessment of watching and swimming with turtles in San Pedro, on the island of Sao Vicente, to sustainably develop this tourism niche, he announced.

The goal is to “support long-term economic and social outcomes for society while protecting the marine resources on which they depend,” the study’s tender announcement said.

About five years ago, the fishing community of San Pedro introduced an unprecedented tourism offer: trips on craft fishing boats followed by diving (“snorkeling”) with green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), attracted by the food.

“The success of this venture attracted the interest of other tourism service providers, such as guides and diving centers, causing conflict and tension over the community’s sense of responsibility for this activity,” the document explains.

This activity is in line with the country’s policy.

The Institute of Tourism, through the World Bank-funded Sustainable Tourism and Blue Economy Project, aims to promote a “more diversified tourism offer” and increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector’s value chain.

The archipelago’s waters are home to five of the seven existing species of sea turtles, with the Carretta caretta turtle being the only species that nests on the country’s beaches. It is an emblematic species and is globally endangered, with Cape Verde being the second most critically endangered species. Place of concentration in the world. North Atlantic.

The proposed evaluation aims to work with the community to “develop an action plan, conduct individual training programs and develop guidelines to improve the short- and medium-term outcomes” of tourism activities.