Protect Endangered Sea Turtles From Pollution And Greed
Final signature count: 1,205
1,205 signatures toward our 30,000 goal
Sponsor: Free The Ocean
Nigeria’s endangered sea turtles are being trapped, butchered, and choked by pollution, and without immediate action to end poaching and protect their habitats, these ancient guardians of the ocean may vanish forever.
Sea turtles have survived for over 100 million years, yet along Nigeria’s coast their future is slipping away. Plastic pollution, abandoned fishing nets, poaching, and rapid coastal development have made nesting beaches and foraging grounds perilous. Conservationists working in Lagos and Bayelsa report dramatic declines in populations once thought abundant1. Without stronger protections, these ancient creatures may vanish from Nigeria’s waters within our lifetime.
Pollution And Human Pressure
Turtles mistake floating plastic for food and become entangled in discarded nets, leaving them unable to surface for air. Lights and construction on nesting beaches discourage females from laying eggs, while hatchlings that do emerge face obstacles on their path to the sea. These pressures have made Nigeria’s coastline a trap, rather than a refuge2. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has authority over waters where ghost nets and marine debris remain unchecked, but stronger intervention is urgently needed.
The Poaching Trade
Poachers target turtles for meat, eggs, and shells. In coastal markets, each turtle can fetch up to ₦90,000 ($60), fueling a lucrative trade that connects to wider trafficking networks across West Africa1. Turtle eggs are eaten or used in rituals, and shells are sold alongside ivory and other wildlife products. Weak enforcement has emboldened this trade, leaving vulnerable species exposed. Experts warn that unless penalties are enforced and alternative livelihoods provided, poaching will remain a powerful driver of extinction3.
Communities Leading Change
In Bayelsa’s Akassa region, fishers once celebrated turtles as “good meat.” Through education and local conservation programs, many have now become protectors. Volunteers patrol nesting beaches, relocate eggs from poachers, and release trapped turtles. Since 2017, more than 120 animals have been rescued and returned to the Atlantic4. Incentives such as modest stipends or replacement nets encourage fishers to cooperate rather than exploit. These stories prove that when communities are engaged, conservation is possible even under difficult conditions.
A Call For Stronger Protections
Five endangered or threatened turtle species live in Nigeria’s waters, including Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Green, Leatherback, and Loggerhead. Their survival is linked to the health of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and fisheries that coastal communities depend on. Government agencies—the Federal Ministry of Environment, NESREA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, NIMASA, and the National Assembly Committees on Environment and Marine Transport—are positioned to create marine protected areas, strengthen enforcement, and support local initiatives. Without their action, Nigeria risks losing not only its turtles but also vital ecosystems that sustain life along its shores3.
What You Can Do
Time is short. Every turtle saved today helps preserve the balance of Nigeria’s oceans and the future of communities who rely on them. By signing this petition, you are calling on leaders to act with urgency and compassion—establishing marine sanctuaries, enforcing anti-poaching laws, and tackling pollution at the source. Stand with conservationists, communities, and future generations. Sign now to protect Nigeria’s sea turtles before it is too late.
