The effects of tourism, beachfront development and increased light pollution on nesting Loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) on Sal, Cape Verde Islands

Loggerhead Caretta caretta is now the only species of marine turtle nesting on the island of Sal, Cape Verde Islands. Since 2008, ADTMA - SOS Tartarugas has patrolled all the southern beaches of the island in order to protect nesting females and to collect nesting data. Although hunting is still a major issue, with 90 turtles killed in 2009, habitat loss and light pollution are becoming an ever more serious threat. Construction sites, hotels, apartment buildings and restaurants close to beaches, bright lights and illegal removal of sand are contributing to a marked decrease in the total number of nesting turtles on some beaches. In 2009, beaches on Sal experienced an average increase in nests of 200%, while the beach most affected by construction (Tortuga Beach) saw a decrease of nests of 7.3% (from 19.1% of total number of nests in 2008 to 11.8% in 2010). This beach also recorded a much lower nest to emergence ratio than normal (17.6% of emergences resulting in nests compared to 29.9% in other areas), indicating reluctance to nest due to light pollution and other disturbances.

Turismo Cultural e Eventos - A Importância de Transformar os Eventos Culturais da Ilha de São Vicente em Produtos Turísticos

O presente trabalho visa estudar a importância de transformar os eventos culturais da ilha de São Vicente em produtos turísticos. Está mais do que provado que o turismo pode ser considerado o motor de desenvolvimento de qualquer economia, mas também que poderá levar a sérios problemas ambientais, sociais, culturais e até mesmo económicos com efeito a longo prazo, caso não for bem planeado. Dentro do turismo, o sector de eventos tem apresentado uma grande evolução, trazendo muitos benefícios e promoção para os destinos turísticos. Para além da importância que os eventos têm para os destinos turísticos, esta pesquisa também estudará o que é preciso ser feito a nível social, e em relação às infra-estruturas e serviços locais para serem transformados em produtos turísticos. Para efectuar essa transformação que poderá trazer muito mais benefícios tanto para a ilha como para a população local, será preciso que os eventos culturais da ilha sejam planeados e organizados, envolvendo todas as enti dades locais e a comunidade, de forma que possam criar soluções para desenvolver um turismo sustentável para São Vicente, e diminuir os impactos negativos no ambiente, na sociedade e na cultura. The goal of this Project is to study the importance of transforming the cultural events of São Vicente Island into touristic products. It is proved that tourism can be considered the development engine of any economy, but it can also lead to serious environmental, social, cultural end even economical problems with long term effects in case of bad planning. Within tourism, the events sector has seen a great evolution, bringing many benefits such as promotion to touristic destinations. Further to the importance that the events have to the touristic destinations, this research will also study what needs to be done concerning society and in relation to infrastructures and local services to be transformed into touristic products. To make these transformations come to life, something which can bring much more benefits to the island as well as to the local population, the cultural events of the island need to be planned and organized involving all the local entities, and the community, in the creation of solutions to develop a sustainable tourism for São Vicente and diminish the negative impacts on the environment, society and culture.

Turismo Cultural e Desenvolvimento Local: um Estudo Sobre o Concelho do Tarrafal, Cabo Verde

Este trabalho tem como o objetivo central analisar o potencial do turismo cultural no Tarrafal e compreender o seu papel na valorização do património e no desenvolvimento local. Procurou-se estudar a perceção dos agentes institucionais, a perceção dos residentes, o perfil dos turistas, a perceção dos alojamentos e dos restaurantes e as suas características. Com a globalização, as diversidades culturais emergem como elementos diferenciadores e dinamizadores do turismo. O turismo cultural tem despertado cada vez mais interesse no palco internacional, revelando-se como um grande veículo estratégico que promove o desenvolvimento local através da valorização do património, mantendo-o conservado, vivo e valorizado. O Concelho do Tarrafal localiza-se na parte norte da ilha de Santiago, a uma distância de 75 quilómetros da cidade da Praia (capital de Cabo Verde). Ocupa uma superfície de 112,4 Km2, representando assim cerca de 11% da área total da ilha de Santiago e 2,8% do território nacional. Possui cerca de 18.565 habitantes, cuja maioria é representada pela população feminina. Este concelho possui um conjunto de recursos culturais de grande interesse turístico que podem contribuir para a diversificação da oferta e transformar o concelho num destino turístico de qualidade, promovendo a melhoria das condições de vida da população como também a sustentabilidade do próprio setor. Este tipo de turismo promove além da apreciação dos objetos, infraestruturas e entre outras formas culturais, a interação entre os turistas e a própria comunidade, entre o setor publico e o privado e entre o turismo e a cultura.

National Adaptation Programme of Action on Climate Change - 2008 - 2012

The archipelago of Cape Verde is made up of ten islands and nine islets and is located between latitudes 14º 28' N and 17º 12' N and longitudes 22º 40' W and 25º 22' W. It is located approximately 500 km from the Senegal coast in West Africa (Figure 1). The islands are divided into two groups: Windward and Leeward. The Windward group is composed of the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal and Boavista; and the Leeward group is composed of the islands Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. The archipelago has a total land surface of 4,033 km2 and an Economic Exclusive Zone (ZEE) that extends for approximately 734,000 km2. In general, the relief is very steep, culminating with high elevations (e.g. 2,829 m on Fogo and 1,979 m on Santo Antão). The surface area, geophysical configuration and geology vary greatly from one island to the next. Cape Verde, due to its geomorphology, has a dense and complex hydrographical network. However, there are no permanent water courses and temporary water courses run only during the rainy season. These temporary water courses drain quickly towards the main watersheds, where, unless captured by artificial means, continue rapidly to lower areas and to the sea. This applies equally to the flatter islands. The largest watershed is Rabil with an area of 199.2 km2. The watershed areas on other islands extend over less than 70 km2. Cape Verde is both a least developed country (LDC) and a small island development state (SIDS). In 2002, the population of Cape Verde was estimated at approximately 451,000, of whom 52% were women and 48% men. The population was growing at an average 2.4% per year, and the urban population was estimated at 53.7 %. Over the past 15 years, the Government has implemented a successful development strategy, leading to a sustained economic growth anchored on development of the private sector and the integration of Cape Verde into the world economy. During this period, the tertiary sector has become increasingly important, with strong growth in the tourism, transport, banking and trade sectors. Overall, the quality of life indicators show substantial improvements in almost all areas: housing conditions, access to drinking water and sanitation, use of modern energy in both lighting and cooking, access to health services and education. Despite these overall socio-economic successes, the primary sector has witnessed limited progress. Weak performance in the primary sector has had a severe negative impact on the incomes and poverty risks faced by rural workers1. Moreover, relative poverty has increased significantly during the past decade. The poverty profile shows that: (i) extreme poverty is mostly found in rural areas, although it has also increased in urban areas; (ii) poverty is more likely to occur when the head of the household is a woman; (iii) poverty increases with family size; (iv) education significantly affects poverty; (v) the predominantly agricultural islands of Santo Antão and Fogo have the highest poverty rates; (vi) unemployment affects the poor more than the nonpoor; (vii) agriculture and fisheries workers are more likely to be poor than those in other sectors. Therefore, the fight against poverty and income inequalities remains one of the greatest challenges for Cape Verde authorities. The various governments of Cape Verde over the last decade have demonstrated a commitment to improving governance, notably by encouraging a democratic culture that guarantees stability and democratic changes without conflicts. This democratic governance offers a space for a wider participation of citizens in public management and consolidates social cohesion. However, there are some remaining challenges related to democratic governance and the gains must be systematically monitored. Finally, it is worth emphasizing that the country’s insularity has stimulated a movement to decentralized governance, although social inequalities and contrasts from one island to the next constitute, at the same time, challenges and opportunities.