The Sea Turtles of São Tomé and Príncipe: Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation Status

Abstract The unique islands of São Tomé and Príncipe harbor five of the seven existent sea turtle species, and offer optimal conditions for these threatened species both on the beaches and on the foraging sites at sea. These populations might have been exploited since the sixteenth century and are still being harvested. In the past decade, our knowledge of these populations has greatly improved, highlighting their regional and global importance. Several conservation initiatives have also prioritized their protection. This chapter reviews our knowledge on the diversity, distribution, and conservation status of sea turtles in São Tomé and Príncipe, providing a brief history of conservation actions from the past 20 years and presenting ongoing research and conservation initiatives.