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PROJECT BIODIVERSITY
Conservation, Education and Sustainability
Why?
Why we need your support
Listen to Albert, from Project Biodiversity, explain why sea turtles need your help.
ONLY 1 IN 1,000
Baby turtles survive
In 2017 we released 70,621 baby turtles from our hatcheries. From those, only 70-71 will make it back to Sal Island in 20-25 years.
However, hundreds of adult turtles die every year due to by-catch, pollution and poaching.
With your help we patrol the nesting beaches to stop poaching of adults and protect the threatened nests so more baby turtles have the chance to be the 1 in 1,000.
Projects
Volunteering
Preserving Nature as a way of life
Conservation
CONSERVATION
Sal Island is famous for its white sand beaches and water sports. However, Sal is also home emblematic and beautiful wildlife that needs our attention. The island’s rapid development, a recent boom in tourism and wildlife poaching threaten these species and the ecosystems they rely on. Project Biodiversity focuses on the protection and the study of wildlife populations through both direct protection and ecological study.
Of those species, Sea turtles are the most threatened. The Loggerhead population of Cabo Verde is one of the eleven most threatened populations of sea turtles in the world. They are also the reason why Project Biodiversity was founded in 2015.
In 2017, we expanded our efforts to include the study of two other emblematic species that breed in Cabo Verde: Ospreys and the Red-billed tropicbird. These seabirds are protected throughout the world and are an important part of Sal’s biodiversity. You can find the Red-billed Tropicbird in our logo alongside the sea turtle!
As the project continues to grow, we need more and more staff, interns and international volunteers to help us protect these species. They are our strength and our energy, and a critical part of Project Biodiversity.
Are you looking for the next step?
Learn more about our projects, check out our volunteer programmes and kick-start your career with us!
Education
Sustainabilty
EDUCATION & SUSTAINABILITY
We believe that connecting people with nature and raising general awareness is the best way to preserve the environment and its wildlife. This is why part of Project Biodiversity’s work is with schools, youth centres and other community groups. We bring topics like pollution, marine wildlife, natural resources and recycling to all the kids of Sal Island, so they become the next generation of conservationists.
Project Biodiversity is also member of TAOLA, the national network of sea turtle conservation, and coordinates its national awareness campaign “Nha Terra” (Our Homeland) which aims to increase the awareness of conservation to local and national authorities, and to bring conservation of sea turtles to every resident of all the islands of Cabo Verde.
Because of its geographical location, Cabo Verde sits in the middle of oceanic currents. These currents come from the North Atlantic and east coast of the African continent, washing ashore tonnes of marine litter every year. This is why we organise, together with Sal Island’s Council and other local partners, several beach cleanings involving educational centres. In 2017 we collected around 11,500 Kg of marine debris!!
Do you want to participate in one of the beach cleanings
or want to organise one?
Beach Cleaning
Next Beach Cleanings:
Tuesday, 28th of September
Monte Leão
Underwater cleaning, 5th of Oct
Santa Maria, Pontão
If you are looking to discover the island, consider joining a responsible and sustainable excursion.
Reduce your impact by minimising your non-degradable waste like plastic cup, bottles or bags.
Do not encourage illegal activities by purchasing products derived from wildlife or supporting non-responsible practices.
Avoid driving on the dunes, wetlands or the beach. They are home to endemic and endangered lizards, breeding birds and marine turtle nests.
Minimise human impact on the beach during the nesting season nights and never use white light. If you are in a turtle-watching excursion, encourage everybody to follow responsible practices and to respect the nesting turtles.
Are you coming to Cabo Verde?
Cabo Verde is becoming a big touristic destination. Sea turtles have become one of the reasons why this is happening, and thousands of tourists arrive to Sal Island every year to witness two incredible events: the nesting of loggerhead sea turtles and the beginning of the journey of new-born turtles.
But this is increasing the pressure on sea turtles and its natural habitats. To reduce this pressure, we work closely with local, national and international partners towards a more sustainable tourism.
Follow these tips to reduce your impact over Sal's biodiversity and environment:
EXPLORE MORE
Read the new report with the
2019 Nesting Season Results!
Share our site with your family and friends and let them
know about Project Biodiversity!
Follow us:
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Associação Projeto Biodiversidade
Mercado Municipal, local 22
Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal
Cabo Verde
+238 594 3652 / +238 354 2836
info@biosal.org
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