Eco-Bahia foundation and AERODOM (Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI) signed a key inter-institutional agreement to strengthen sea turtle conservation efforts in the Dominican Republic, with a focus on the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), also known locally as “tinglar.”
The signing took place at the Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport (El Catey) in Samaná, a critical nesting area for this endangered species.
Through this alliance, the monitoring and nest protection program led by Eco-Bahia foundation will be reinforced on eight Dominican beaches, including El Gran Estero—an area of high importance for the leatherback turtle, the world’s largest sea turtle and one of the most threatened due to habitat loss, pollution, nest poaching, and illegal egg consumption.
One of the most innovative actions under the agreement is the creation of a hatchery within the airport itself—a protected, supervised space for the safe incubation of leatherback turtle eggs. This initiative aims to:
• Increase hatchling survival rates.
• Safeguard eggs from threats such as predators, flooding, and illegal extraction.
• Integrate marine conservation with sustainable airport development.
In addition to the hatchery, the agreement includes an awareness campaign to reduce sea turtle egg consumption—a practice that persists in some communities despite being illegal.
The plan encompasses:
• Environmental education in schools and local communities.
• Collaboration with media outlets and community leaders.
• Training of airport staff and installation of preventive signage in sensitive areas.
• Active participation of coastal communities in conservation efforts.
This agreement between Eco-Bahia foundation and AERODOM represents a firm step toward a model of responsible tourism and airport development, where environmental protection and marine biodiversity conservation are integral to operations.
"The conservation of sea turtles requires strong cross-sector alliances. With this agreement, we are strengthening positive environmental impact in our coastal communities," said Alex Matás, Director of Eco-Bahía Foundation in the Dominican Republic.
The leatherback turtle, an emblematic species of the oceans, needs more than protection—it needs collaboration. Thanks to this alliance, strategies ensuring its survival are reinforced, while promoting a culture of respect for marine life in the Caribbean.
At Eco-Bahia, we work every day toward a future where tourism and conservation advance hand in hand.
