Cablegate: Nigeria: Turtle Excluder Devices

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ABUJA 000750

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W AND OES/OMC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS SENV ETRD
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES

REF: STATE 54094

1. A. Ajibola, Deputy Director of Fisheries at the
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources'
Fisheries Resources Monitoring Control and
Surveillance Unit in Lagos, told Econoff that, since
being first certified in 1999 and last certified in
2002, Nigeria continues in its efforts to protect sea
turtles during shrimp harvesting, including the use of
turtle excluder devices (TEDs) by shrimping trawlers.
He said that with technical assistance and training
provided by the USG, TEDs are being fabricated
domestically, and the Ministry is confident that its
program to protect sea turtles is effective.

2. Mr. Ajibola states the GON welcomes another visit
by USG observers and technical advisers and asks that
any such request be forwarded both to the Ministry in
Abuja and its office in Lagos for better coordination.

3. Special Assistant to the Minister of State for
Environment Beka told Econoff the GON has a formal
policy on the use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs)
for shrimp harvesting. Post will forward a copy of
that policy to OES/OMC as soon as it is made available
to Econoff.
JETER

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