By Fatou Krubally
Conservation volunteers, working with the police, have foiled an alleged attempt to sell a live marine turtle in Gunjur, highlighting continuing concerns over turtle poaching along The Gambia’s coastline.
The incident occurred a day before a beach-cleaning exercise and the opening of an Ocean Waste Pyramid at Gunjur Beach.
Lamin Jassey, chairperson of the Gunjur Conservationists and Ecotourism Association (CTAG), said the incident was reported by a volunteer who encountered a man allegedly in possession of the live turtle.
Jassey said the volunteer initially posed as a potential buyer in an effort to secure the turtle’s release, while conservation members alerted the police and worked to locate the animal.
The team later found the man and persuaded him to cooperate, after which the turtle was released and returned to the sea.
Jassey said CTAG’s approach goes beyond preventing the killing of turtles, stressing the importance of engaging people involved in poaching and encouraging them to become conservation partners.
“Our first initiative is to make sure we change his mindset,” he said, adding that the organisation seeks to identify alternative livelihood opportunities and involve former poachers in conservation activities.
According to Jassey, the man was given the conservation team’s contact details and agreed to provide information on turtle nesting activities in the area.
He said the incident demonstrated the challenges facing marine turtle conservation, particularly in communities where economic hardship could push some residents towards illegal hunting of protected wildlife.
Jassey said CTAG works with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the National Environment Agency, relevant government ministries and the Gambia Tourism Board to strengthen marine conservation and community awareness.
He added that conservation volunteers receive support through their collaboration with the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
The incident comes as conservation groups in Gunjur intensify efforts to protect marine life through beach monitoring, public awareness campaigns and regular clean-up exercises.
During Sunday’s clean-up, volunteers also removed discarded fishing nets from the shoreline. Conservationists say such “ghost nets” pose a serious threat to turtles and other marine animals through entanglement.
Jassey said the long-term objective was to ensure that coastal communities recognise their role in protecting marine wildlife.
He stressed that effective turtle conservation would require not only patrols and law enforcement but also sustained efforts to change attitudes and provide communities with alternative ways of earning a livelihood.
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