The Full Story
What is the Asociación Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina?
We are a community-based conservation project that focuses on protecting marine turtles and supporting the economic, social, and cultural needs of our community.
Mission
To conserve and restore the nesting marine turtle population in Parismina while providing economic, social, and cultural support for our community.
Vision
A community that values marine turtle conservation and benefits environmentally, economically, socially, and culturally from the conservation of marine turtles.
Our History
Five youth in our village decided they wanted to do something about marine turtle conservation. They were motivated to reduce the poaching rates on the beaches of Parismina while providing economic benefit to our community. Initially, the initiative was not well supported but they persevered and stayed true to their cause. Patrols with the Coast Guard began in 2001 and now marine turtle monitoring surveys are lead by local residents hired as research assistants.
Our project successfully protects critically endangered leatherback and hawksbill turtles as well as endangered green turtles that nest on the beach. Poaching rates have been reduced by over 70% and thousands of hatchlings have been released from relocated nests and the hatchery. Local residents are employed as research assistants and volunteer coordinators. Families in our village host volunteers through our homestay program. Our project is managed by a board of directors composed of community members and sustained by the contributions of volunteers who visit our village to assist with the project.