Back to the Sea: Rescuing Turtles from the Food Trade in Nigeria
Emmanuel Adefolarin | Lagos/Nigeria, Nigeria
Photographer: Emmanuel Adefolarin
Exhibit Title: Back to the Sea: Rescuing Turtles from the Food Trade in Nigeria
Location: Lagos/Nigeria, Nigeria
Along the coastlines of Lagos, Nigeria, five species of sea turtles occur: the Green sea turtle, Olive ridley sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, Leatherback sea turtle, and Loggerhead sea turtle. The green turtle and olive ridley are most frequently encountered in nearshore waters and landing beaches.
Despite national and international protections, sea turtles continue to be captured in Nigeria, either intentionally or as bycatch in artisanal fishing nets. They are sold primarily for meat consumption in coastal communities. In some cases, their eggs are harvested, and hawksbill shells are used for ornamental products. Due to limited enforcement and underreporting, exact national statistics are difficult to verify, but conservation groups estimate that hundreds of turtles are landed annually along parts of Nigeria’s coastline.
This project documents a small but urgent intervention within this system. Working alongside a local conservation initiative, we track fishermen who bring captured turtles ashore. Instead of entering the food trade, these turtles are purchased, rehabilitated, and released back into the Atlantic Ocean.
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