Saving Turtles in El Salvador - La Palapa Project

Barra de Santiago in El Salvador holds immense significance for sea turtle conservation efforts. Nestled within a protected area, this globally designated Ramsar site serves as a crucial nesting site for several species of sea turtles, including the endangered Olive Ridley, Pacific Green, Pacific Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles. The area's remote and pristine beaches, however, do not provide ideal conditions for nesting, because as they lay their eggs they are distrupted by human activity, thus jeopardizing a vital aspect for the survival of these vulnerable species. AAI conservation initiatives with the local fishermen have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the nesting grounds of sea turtles at Barra de Santiago. AAI was the first organization to initiate a "democratization of conversation" project among the immpoverished residents of Barra de Santiago in El Salvador.

This project provided scientific permits to 45 local fishermen and their families. This initiative made all the difference in their concept of ownership and financial benefit from the turtles. In return for guarding the natural nest site, they are able to profit from the release of each "tortoguita" as tourists watch their release into the sea. They are additionally paid a small stipend for being a part of the project throught the year, as they remain vigilent for motorized vehicles on the beach that destroy the natural vegitation. They particularly have developed a different attitude toward the Mexican "turtle egg cartels" that manage to pay some of them $2.40 per dozen eggs, as this program pays them $3.40.

The final nest from our Palapa project hatched Dec 19th 2023, a date that marked the release of the last of 23,009 baby turtles, of almost 24,000 eggs, to the sea. Our community engagement and sustainable tourism practices have educated local fishermen about the importance of preserving this habitat and reducing threats such as poaching and habitat degradation. Barra de Santiago thus contributes significantly to the global efforts aimed at the conservation of sea turtles, ensuring the survival of these majestic creatures for generations to come.

Please contribute to this unigue and successful effort in wildlife conservation. Thank you for your contributions which continue to make an important difference for this project. 

Links:

• https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Habitantes-de-la-Barr
• AAI website story
• La Prensa Article

Airline Ambassadors was instrumental in getting 24 fishermen of Barra de Santiago official licences to participate in turtle conservation. The Ministry of the Environment even produced a new pamphlet about our program, which our Project Manager Ruben holds in picture above.

 Nesting season began in August and Ruben is already overseeng the incubation of over 23,,000 eggs. They will began hatching in mid October.

Ruben, who has been doing this on his own since he was a boy, pays fishermen $3.50 per dozen eggs. This program has been newly adopted by the Ministry of the Environment (MARN) and the Agency of Water Security (ASA).

The program was required because the former turtle conservation program of over thirty years did not incentivize or educate the familes who depend upon ocean resources. Poachers recently caught from Mexico are selling the eggs from Barra de Santago to Mexican restaurants for $1.00 ea.

This AAI program has fnally caught the eye of both ASA and MARN, who call it "Programa de democratización de la conservación" (the democratization of conservation program). They have recently agreed to hire 50 fisherman, and importantly, give them "scentific permits" so they can become an official part of conservation efforts. AAI will also help these fishermen to write scientific papers. Fishermen can now be a part of the scentific community!

This program empowers local fishermen to support conservation efforts and they are employed in this effort.

Links:

• You tube video