The Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) from 26-29 March 2026 in the Dominican Republic, bringing together approximately 100 participants from 30 countries across the Wider Caribbean Region, united by a common goal of protecting sea turtles.

At the AGM, the Guianas delegation, which included the youth ambassadors from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)  and Accor -funded  GREAT Ocean project (Guianas Regional Action for a Thriving Ocean) - which focuses on protecting and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in the Guianas - had the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions on the latest trends in sea turtle research and conservation.

The delegation included representatives from WWF-Guianas, Soraya Wijntuin, the youth ambassador of the Guyana Youth Environment Network (GYEN), Madhavi Indarjeet, the Youth Ambassador of the Green Heritage Fund Suriname, and Modesty-Chiara van der Leuv. They participated in various working sessions and discussions on international and regional projects, including the GREAT Ocean initiative and the importance of regional ocean governance, with a focus on sustainable fisheries to protect sea turtles in the Guianas.

Additionally, Soraya Wijntuin shared key findings on regional ocean governance, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable fisheries and effective sea turtle protection in the Guianas. The presentations reinforced the importance of ongoing efforts towards both regional and international sea turtle conservation, which are critical steps in tackling the threats posed by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and in promoting sustainable fishing practices.

Furthermore, the GREAT Ocean project seeks to engage diverse stakeholders across the Guianas by involving at least 30% of civil society and empowering local communities, particularly women and youth, to advocate for sustainable practices.