Brava: Furna community rescues and releases three olive ridley sea turtles trapped in an abandoned fishing net.
City of Nova Sintra, December 15, 2025 (Bravanews) - The community of Furna, on Brava Island, once again set an example of environmental citizenship and ecological awareness. Yesterday, on Kadjetinha beach, three olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were found trapped in an abandoned fishing net in the sea, a situation that seriously jeopardized the animals' survival.
As soon as the incident was identified, local residents mobilized quickly and in solidarity, joining efforts to cut the net and free the turtles. Thanks to the timely intervention of the population, the animals were able to safely return to their natural habitat, avoiding a tragic outcome.
In a statement, the Associação Projecto Vitó highlighted and praised this exemplary action by the Furna community, emphasizing that attitudes like this demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving Cape Verde's natural heritage. The organization also stresses that the protection of sea turtles—a protected species of great ecological importance—depends not only on the authorities but also on the active involvement of coastal communities.
Project Vitó is using this episode to reinforce its warning about the dangers of abandoned fishing nets at sea, known as "ghost nets," which continue to pose a serious threat to marine life. The association advocates for the adoption of more responsible fishing practices and the continuous raising of public awareness about the importance of the sustainability of marine ecosystems.
The gesture from the Furna community is seen as a positive example that deserves recognition and replication, showing that environmental protection begins with small local actions that generate a significant impact on the conservation of biodiversity on Brava Island and throughout the archipelago.

