Ghana has approximately 550 km of coastline that provides significant foraging and nesting habitats for five species of marine turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Sea turtles in Ghana face a significant number of anthropogenic mortality including  (a) intensive near-shore fishery bycatch, (b) direct harvest of nesting individuals and eggs, (c) increased nest predation by dogs and pig, (d) degradation of nesting habitat along the coast of Ghana and (e) negative consequences of emerging unregulated ecotourism activities. These activities continue to increase due to increasing pressure on Ghana’s coastal resources.

WHRO works with all relevant stakeholders to address the many threats and challenges that sea turtles face in the coastal waters of Ghana. Our sea turtle conservation strategies include: