Sand Shortage: How Europe Affects Cape Verde’s Turtle Crisis

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

Every summer, the picturesque beaches of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, play host to a magnificent spectacle as thousands of sea turtles return to their ancestral nesting grounds. However, this ancient ritual is now jeopardised by a multitude of threats that have emerged from both local and global pressures, casting a shadow over one of the world’s largest populations of the Caretta caretta turtle.

The delicate balance of this ecosystem is under siege from poaching, rampant pollution, the impact of mass tourism, and the looming spectre of climate change. What is particularly disheartening is how these local challenges are intricately linked to broader global issues, with Europe playing a significant role in exacerbating the crisis.

Among the most pressing threats faced by these turtles is plastic pollution. The fisheries agreements that Cape Verde has established with the European Union allow industrial fishing fleets, primarily from Spain and Portugal, to operate in its waters. This has profound implications for marine life, particularly the nesting turtles.

Beaches that should provide safe nesting sites are instead inundated with waste, much of which is swept in by ocean currents from fishing activities and illegal dumping along the coasts of Europe and Africa. This accumulation not only contaminates the nests chemically but also creates physical barriers that hinder female turtles from locating suitable places to lay their eggs.

Franziska Haas, a German biologist and a dedicated volunteer with the local NGO Fundação Tartaruga, poignantly describes the situation: “It’s like looking for a home in a minefield. Often, we have to help them find a safe spot. Some get lost and wander for hours, risking death from dehydration.”

Fundação Tartaruga plays a vital role in monitoring over 30 kilometres of coastline with the help of rangers and international volunteers who come equipped with scientific training. Their work is crucial for identifying nests, protecting eggs, combating poaching, and documenting the escalating damage caused by pollution.

Despite the great expanse of coastline that requires monitoring, resources are regrettably limited. The need for additional support and volunteers is paramount, as the delicate balance of this ecosystem hangs in the balance.

Over the last two decades, Cape Verde has transformed into a favoured tourist destination for Europeans, with the islands of Sal and Boa Vista attracting massive investments from European real estate developers. This has resulted in the construction of hotels, resorts, and residential complexes that encroach upon the very beaches where turtles lay their eggs.

The threats to these turtles extend beyond the land. In the waters surrounding Cape Verde, industrial trawl nets inadvertently capture tens of thousands of turtles each year, both in the archipelago and during their migratory journeys across the Atlantic and Mediterranean. While European regulations stipulate the use of exclusion devices to allow turtles to escape such nets, these measures are only mandatory for select fleets and specific areas, with enforcement often inconsistent.

Climate change further complicates the plight of these turtles. Rising temperatures have been linked to increased embryo mortality, while the sex of turtle embryos is determined by the temperature of the sand in which they are laid. Warmer sands favour female hatchlings, leading to a growing imbalance that jeopardises the long-term reproductive success of the species.

In the face of these numerous challenges, the work of volunteers becomes not just important, but essential. Their nightly patrols are methodical and almost ritualistic, conducted in teams comprising three or four volunteers and an environmental ranger. Each patrol is timed meticulously, allowing minimal disturbance to the nesting turtles. Some volunteers dig deeper holes, others inject microchips for census purposes, while some take note of the nest’s GPS coordinates and assess the turtles’ health and physical condition.

Despite their tremendous efforts, the spectre of poaching continues to haunt the beaches of Cape Verde. In 2018, the government criminalised the consumption of turtle meat and eggs, yet illegal hunting persists. Turtles are often caught at night while nesting, killed, and sold on the black market, where their meat can fetch up to €20 per kilo.

“Turtles are hunted illegally for their meat and eggs, which are sold through word of mouth,” confirmed Euclides Resende, the Executive Director of Fundação Tartaruga. However, he also noted a significant reduction in reported killings: “In 2024, we documented just six killings on the beaches we monitor, compared to thousands in previous years.”

The organisation’s innovative approach, which incorporates the use of conservation dogs and thermal technology, has greatly improved surveillance efforts. “This allows us to expand our monitoring range and gather evidence for legal actions,” explained project coordinator Adilson Monteiro.

Nevertheless, eradicating the cultural practice of turtle hunting is a formidable challenge. For many, consuming turtle meat and eggs is a deeply ingrained tradition, passed down through generations. In villages such as João Galego, Cabedo do Tarafes, and Fundo das Figueira, hunting turtles is seen as a rite of passage.

“For my family, hunting turtles was normal. My grandfather did it, my father did it, and I learned from my older brother. Every family in João Galego has always eaten turtles; it’s part of our tradition,” shared tour guide Zenildo F.

The struggle to reconcile tradition with environmental conservation, alongside the urgent need for stricter pollution and fisheries regulations, presents a complex challenge for the survival of Cape Verde’s sea turtles. This is not merely a local issue; it is a global test case that demands our attention and action.

As we continue our journey towards net-zero emissions, it is crucial to recognise how interconnected our global systems are. The plight of Cape Verde’s sea turtles serves as a poignant reminder that local environmental issues can often be traced back to global actions. By addressing these challenges collectively, we can forge a path towards a more sustainable future for all species, including our vital marine life.

As we advocate for the protection of these magnificent creatures and their habitats, let us also remember that our choices—whether they be in consumption, travel, or policy—have far-reaching consequences. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the beaches of Boa Vista remain a safe haven for sea turtles for generations to come.