Despite the fact that sea turtles are protected by the laws of Cape Verde they are exposed to numerous serious threats. They are being poached both at sea and on land and due to the fact that coastal tourism development is increasing, constructions sites and buildings negatively affect the sea turtle’s nesting behaviour and nesting success.
The Cape Verde nesting population of Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) is the third largest population in the world after the nesting populations of Oman and Southeast Florida. It is estimated that up to 90% of the nesting occurs on the island of Boavista. The nesting females are currently being heavily exploited by poachers for their meat when they come ashore to nest. During nesting season 2007 - before Turtle Foundation started its protection program - approx. 12.000 to 15.000 nest were laid whereby approx. 1.000 female sea turtles were killed during nesting on Boavista Island.
This situation has resulted in the United Nations Environment Program identifying Cape Verde as the conservation priority for Loggerhead turtles (UNEP, 2002).