NIGERIA: TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES

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