Our “Voices from the Field” series is a behind-the-scenes look into the conservation efforts of our field teams and partners around the world. Ani Henríquez is the Executive Director of ProCosta, a Salvadoran NGO with whom we partner to protect critically endangered hawksbill turtles and enhance coastal livelihoods.
ProCosta recently celebrated a record-breaking season, protecting 600+ turtle nests and releasing over 40,000 hatchlings! Since their founding in 2008, ProCosta has released over 400,000 hawksbill turtle hatchlings with their grassroots network, sparking hope for the recovery of this species.
However, as we finalized this interview, we learned of an abrupt halt in U.S. government funding for international work. Fifty percent of ProCosta’s budget comes from grants from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and this disruption puts their community-based work protecting hawksbill turtles at risk. To support ProCosta and our other partners affected right now, please donate to Wild Earth Allies today.
Why does ProCosta focus on hawksbill turtle conservation, and why are hawksbill turtles important for conservation in El Salvador?
Hawksbill turtles are critically endangered. So much work has been done to bring them back from the verge of extinction, but there’s still more to do.
It was once believed that there were no hawksbill turtles in El Salvador. However, when ProCosta began in 2008, we started visiting communities, talking with people, and doing surveys. That’s when we learned that people regularly saw hawksbill turtle nests.
Hawksbill turtles were primarily known for thriving in coral reefs, but in the eastern Pacific Ocean, they also inhabit mangrove ecosystems. This surprising finding showed that hawksbill turtles adapted to a completely different environment. This was a huge discovery!
Two ProCosta team members release hawksbill turtle hatchlings.
Why are hawksbill turtles endangered, and what are some of the stressors impacting these turtles that Procosta is trying to address?
Egg consumption and bycatch (accidental capture in fishing nets) are two main pressures affecting hawksbill turtles. In Los Cobanos and Punta Amapala, we’re working with a group of fishermen to test alternative fishing techniques that reduce bycatch. One example is deploying LED lights on fishing nets to prevent turtles from becoming entangled. We compare nets the fishers use with and without experimental LED lights, and we have seen a difference! Fewer turtles are caught in the nets with LED lights.
LED lights on fishing nets help prevent turtles from becoming entangled.
Could you share a story or moment that highlights the importance of protecting these turtles?
There are a lot of stories. When I started at ProCosta in 2012, we were tracking a turtle via satellite. It was a special moment for me because it was the first time I saw a turtle come back to the shore. She was first tagged in 2008, and when I saw her four years later, I thought, “Wow, she’s back! And she looks good! And she’s okay!” It was motivating and made me proud of what we do.
What role does the community play in your success?
We stay in communities for a long time because we are committed to working with communities to protect sea turtles. This commitment establishes trust and strengthens our community conservation networks. I believe this longevity is why we’re seeing so much change and success each nesting season.
When the communities in Jiquilisco Bay see a turtle nest, their first thought is to call ProCosta. They know our phone number! That’s a huge relief because we can then respond and relocate the eggs to protect against consumption and illegal trade. We’ve also provided training to the communities to teach them to relocate eggs, build and run hatcheries, and measure and tag turtles.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we weren’t able to travel to the nesting areas. We didn’t know how we would continue with our work during the nesting season. But the communities took the lead and made protecting nests possible. They told us, “You’ve taught us what to do. We’re covering this. We got you.”
We’ve also learned so much from them. The communities live alongside turtles, so they know them well.
The ProCosta team measures a nesting hawksbill turtle as part of their long-term population monitoring program.
What are some of ProCosta’s goals over the next few years?
We started as a three-person team. Now, we have nine veterinarians and biologists, and over 200 partners from the community and local fisheries. As we’ve grown our team, it’s made us realize we can be even stronger.
One of our main goals over the next few years is to increase our capacity. For example, we have protected nesting females, nests, and hatchlings, but now we need to ensure that the nesting beaches and coastal habitats are also protected from coastal development and pollution. We need to conduct more research to inform sustainable management and protection of coastal habitats. There is so much we still do not know about these turtles! But we need to secure the funding first.
Of course, we also want to work with more community members and grow our conservation network. We’re always asking ourselves, “What more can we do with the communities? How can we improve their livelihoods in a way that is sustainable and supportive of turtle conservation?” At the same time, we need to expand our outreach and education programs so more people in El Salvador can learn about hawksbills and marine ecosystems.
Can you tell me a little more about the new Punta Amapala Marine Protected Area (MPA)?
This is a huge and very important milestone for us! As I mentioned, we are increasing our efforts to protect key natural habitats for the turtles. And Punta Amapala is one of those. The rocky reefs in this area host important biodiversity, including hawksbill turtles. Unfortunately, this place also has suffered from tremendous bycatch.
The Environmental Ministry has enabled a collaborative approach, bringing together both governmental and non-governmental institutions to work hand-in-hand. Along this journey, we are proud to have our conservation partner Wild Earth Allies by our side. Together, we ensure that the local communities’ perspectives are taken into account and that we’re all aligned on this process.
This project has been progressing quickly! Last year, the establishment of the MPA was officially declared. We’re excited to see the progress unfold.
One of our main objectives is to make sure communities have what they need, that they are supported, and that the natural resources they rely on will be conserved. The MPA is an important step in protecting hawksbill turtles and community livelihoods.
Punta Amapala, El Salvador
How would you describe ProCosta and Wild Earth Allies’ partnership?
This partnership has been instrumental. Wild Earth Allies is one of the collaborators we’re closest to, providing both financial and technical support, mentorship, and experience that have amplified ProCosta’s work. Wild Earth Allies’ conservation expertise and global network have strengthened our capacity to protect hawksbill turtles and engage with the community in a more effective way.
Part of José Urteaga’s role as Wild Earth Allies’ Director of Marine Partnerships is to support us — but he goes beyond that. I know I can call him if I need a recommendation or have a question. He’s always here for us.
Your support is not just felt by us — it extends to the more than 350 families who benefit from ProCosta’s efforts. Because of you, our work continues to make a meaningful impact on both communities and conservation.
A ProCosta team member and a Wild Earth Allies team member watch the sunset at Jiquilisco Bay, El Salvador.
What can people outside of ProCosta do to support the protection of hawksbill sea turtles and marine conservation more broadly?
There’s so much more we can do to grow community-based sea turtle and marine conservation in El Salvador, but now we need to address urgent funding gaps. A few years ago, we discovered more nesting areas in the country. We would love to be a part of protecting those nests, but without the budget to support teams in those areas, it’s not yet possible.
Local conservation efforts are vital to safeguarding El Salvador’s biodiversity.
Thank you for supporting ProCosta, our team, the communities, and, of course, the hawksbills. Your dedication inspires us to keep pushing forward.
Learn more about Ani Henríquez and ProCosta’s work:
A Hawksbill Conservation Success Story: Behind the Scenes with ProCosta
Renewing Hope for Critically Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtles in El Salvador
Podcast: BBC’s People Fixing the World
Photos courtesy of Allison Shelley, Eastward Films, and Carlos Rivas
