NIGERIA: PROTECTION OF MARINE TURTLES REMAINS GON

UNCLAS ABUJA 001316

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR OES/OMC: DHOGAN


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS ETRD SENV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PROTECTION OF MARINE TURTLES REMAINS GON
POLICY

REF: STATE 35245



1. EconOff delivered reftel information March 6 to Minister
of State for Environment Imeh Okopido. In a letter dated
April 19, the Minister responded that the Government of
Nigeria remains committed to issues related to oceans and
fresh water bio-diversity, particularly the protection of
marine turtles. The Minister confirmed that Nigeria is
"constantly updating methods of harvesting our shrimp in our
country that would guarantee the export of our shrimp to the
US market."



2. The Minister enclosed a copy of a memorandum he had sent
to President Obasanjo April 16 that informed the President of
the Ministry's ongoing commitment to conserve marine turtle
species of the region. According to the memo, the GON has
played a key role in garnering support from other African
nations to sign the Memorandum of Understanding concerning
Conservation Measures for Marine Turtles of the Atlantic
Coast of Africa, which was proposed at COP-6 in November

1999.


JETER