As part of the Grand Lahou project, DEME has established a turtle protection program that will help to safeguard the local turtle population, and it includes creating a hatchery for turtle eggs. The Marine Turtle Protection Program has been implemented in collaboration with the NGO SOS Dassioko, and it focuses on protecting marine turtle nests and adult turtles. Ten young individuals from nearby villages have been trained as eco-guards to monitor and protect turtle nesting sites.

A secure hatchery has been established on Lahou-Kpanda beach to safely incubate relocated turtle eggs. The hatchery has been enclosed to ensure optimal conditions and the safety of the eggs.

Awareness campaigns have been conducted in Lahou-Kpanda and Braffédon, which have led to increased community involvement in turtle protection efforts. These campaigns were designed to inform the local communities about the reduction of certain species of turtle, discuss the causes of this decline, and highlight the benefits of protecting marine turtles. The positive response of the communities involved and their active participation have been crucial to the success of the program.

This program is an integral part of DEME’s commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. By stabilizing the sand barrier between the Tagba Lagoon and the ocean, DEME is not only protecting the shoreline from erosion and flooding but also creating a safer habitat for the turtles.