Citizen Conservation Science Protecting Sea Turtles 

Transforming the Conservation Strategy for one of the Most Significant Populations of Endangered Sea Turtles 

The loggerhead sea turtles of the Cabo Verde islands in the North Atlantic represent 20-25% of the global population of this charismatic, endangered species. Queen Mary’s Prof Eizaguirre led a citizen-science project that examined the genetic and behavioural diversity of these sea turtles and discovered distinct genetic groups within this major population. Previously, conservation efforts managed the population as one large breeding site, but now small groups of nesting turtles with distinct genetic diversity across multiple islands are given high protection priority. By engaging local organisations and communities, the research project has built capacity among local conservation NGOs and environmental authorities, transferred scientific knowledge to local researchers, and raised public awareness of the importance of conserving sea turtles. Over the recent years dramatic increases in turtle numbers on the islands have been detected, from around 4,100 in 2008 to almost 60,000 in 2020. In turn, this conservation success has created new employment and economic opportunities for the people of Cabo Verde.