The national partners Ministry of Land Policy and Forest management (GBB) and their department LBB/NB and the Ministery of Oil, Gas and Environment (OGM) , in collaboration with WWF-Guianas, WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea turtle Network), and a broad coalition of national, regional and international partners, proudly announces the publication of the Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan (STRAP) for Suriname 2026–2035—a comprehensive ten-year strategy designed to secure the long-term future of Suriname’s sea turtle populations and the critical habitats on which they depend.
The publication of this much-anticipated plan marks a significant milestone in Suriname’s conservation journey and reaffirms the country's commitment to protecting one of the most important sea turtle nesting areas in the Western Atlantic. The Action Plan provides a science-based, inclusive framework for reversing population declines, strengthening marine conservation, and empowering local communities to become active stewards of Suriname’s natural heritage.
Despite decades of conservation efforts and the recording of more than 14,000 nests since 2001, sea turtle populations in Suriname continue to face serious threats. Leatherback turtle nesting has declined by more than 90 percent over the past two decades, while olive ridley nesting has nearly disappeared. Key threats include fisheries bycatch, illegal fishing, egg poaching, marine pollution, climate change, coastal erosion, and habitat loss.
The STRAP sets ambitious goals for the period 2026–2035, including:
- Increasing annual nesting activity by 10 percent by 2035;
- Restoring leatherback nesting numbers to 2020 levels;
- Increasing hatchling emergence rates by 1 percent annually; and
- Stabilising populations of all four sea turtle species that utilise Suriname’s beaches and marine environment.
To achieve these targets, the Action Plan outlines a series of priority interventions focused on strengthening legislation and enforcement, expanding protected marine and coastal habitats, reducing fisheries interactions and bycatch, improving nest protection and hatchery management, enhancing scientific research and monitoring, and increasing community participation in conservation efforts.
A major component of the Plan is the proposed development of a national marine protected area network, including enhanced protection for critical habitats such as Tijgerbank, while strengthening regional collaboration with neighbouring countries to address shared conservation challenges and illegal fishing activities.
The STRAP also recognises the essential role of local and Indigenous communities in conservation. The Plan promotes co-management approaches, alternative livelihood opportunities, ranger training programs, community-led monitoring, environmental education, and sustainable ecotourism initiatives that support both biodiversity conservation and economic development.
Development of the STRAP was guided by an extensive consultation process involving government agencies, conservation organizations, researchers, fisheries representatives, Indigenous and local communities, youth, and private sector stakeholders. The resulting strategy reflects a shared national vision for balancing conservation, sustainable development, and community wellbeing.
As Suriname continues to strengthen its leadership in environmental stewardship, the publication of the Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan 2026–2035 provides a clear roadmap for coordinated action, ensuring that the country's beaches remain a sanctuary for sea turtles and that future generations can continue to witness these remarkable species nesting along Suriname’s shores.
