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Research and Involvement of Local Communities to Ensure Threats
Reduction to Sea Turtles at the Foraging Ground of Cerro Verde MPA
The Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Cerro
Verde (Rocha) has been shown to be one of the most important foraging habitats
for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Uruguay
and a migratory pathway for loggergheads (Caretta caretta)
and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea).
However, fishing activities and marine debris threaten the survival of these
endangered species.
The research activities of this project will
determine the main causes of death and evaluate how fishing activities and
solid marine debris contributes to sea turtles mortality. In the other hand,
the environmental education activities to be performed will involve local
fishermen and school students in conservation activities in order to reduce
sea turtles mortality.
 Sea
turtles stranding events will be monitore along the
MPA, the cause of death will be assessed and gastrointestinal contents will
be analysed. Workshops about sea turtles
reanimation and release techniques as well as the impacts on the marine
ecosystem of dumping plastic fishing gear, synthetic material and ghost nets
will be perform with local fishermen. Participative research on marine debris
will be carried out with school students, and the results will be exposed in
mini symposiums held at the local schools. During the development of the
“Saving the Sea Turtle” festival week, performed by Karumbé every year, resusable cloth bags will be printed by the students and
handle out among local communities in order to replace plastic bags. Extra
cloth bags will be produced in order to introduce them in the local markets
and be sell to tourists during the public awarness campaign developed by Karumbé every year. 
The results of this project will be critical
to make grounded decisions and recomedations for
the development of the management plan of the MPA. Evenmore,
raissing awareness within the key actors by
involving them in conservation efforts will ensure the sustainable
development of the area.
For further information contact aloluciana@gmail.com or
Web: project
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