Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (ICAPO)

The Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (ICAPO) was formally established in July 2008 to promote the recovery of hawksbill turtles in the eastern Pacific. ICAPO consist of individuals and organizations, ranging from local fishermen, government representatives, as well as experts in the field of hawksbill and sea turtle conservation, hailing from every country in the eastern Pacific from the US to Peru. The group fulfills its mission to protect and recover hawksbills in the eastern Pacific by sharing information, raising awareness, forming alliances, conducting research and initiating conservation. This is achieved through close collaborations with coastal community members, scientists and policy makers throughout the region. ICAPO has established numerous conservation projects, consolidated an important body of scientific literature, and brought hawksbill turtles to the forefront of the global marine turtle conservation agenda.