ATM - São Tomé and Príncipe (2012)

Based on Príncipe Island off the coast of West Africa, The Association for the Research, Protection, and Conservation of Sea Turtles in Lusophone Countries (ATM) has identified wide data gaps and a need to establish a national strategy to conserve the country’s imperiled sea turtle populations. Green, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles in São Tomé and Príncipe are subject to poaching for jewelry and meat, despite a 2009 ban on turtle products.

A 2012 SWOT grant supported a collaboration between ATM and a wide range of stakeholders to generate recommendations for best conservation practices at the national level. They aimed to establish a long-term monitoring program using SWOT minimum data standards and create a national database to inform future management decisions and conservation actions.