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