$29m for turtle conservation....
Over the next four years, over $29 million will be disbursed to conservation bodies, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the government and groups such as the Turtle Village Trust......The agreement was signed at the Turtle Village Trust Visitors' Centre in Valencia......Local conservation groups have over the years been hailed internationally for their efforts to preserve the critically endangered marine reptiles....Trinidad boasts some of the world's densest nesting sites and has struggled to protect the animals from poachers, gill nets and beach encroachment by buildings, to name a few.....Manzanilla is currently being considered by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for selection as a sensitive area during the season.....Visitors are not allowed on the beach without a permit during nesting time...Permits are only available through branches of the Forestry Division.....
Turtle Village Trust president, Dr Allan Bachan, said turtle-watching, a huge international tourist draw, has the potential to surpass Carnival in economic viability......A large percentage of residents in 'turtle watching' areas like Grande Riviere and Matura depend financially on this particular resource......