Nascimento anunciado: um esforço da conservação integrado à educação ambiental não-formal como paradigma para proteção às tartarugas-marinhas

Abstract

Human activities, intensified since the Industrial Revolution, generate significant impacts on the environment, affecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The marine environment, in particular, suffers from the disposal of industrial and urban waste, which directly harms wildlife, such as sea turtles. Historically, these animals were predatorily exploited through the hunting of females and the collection of eggs, factors that led to the population decline of several species. In Brazil, there are five species of sea turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea, and Dermochelys coriacea), all of which are threatened with extinction, with C. mydas classified as vulnerable. The coast of Paraíba is a crucial nesting area for Eretmochelys imbricata. However, the city's artificial lighting disorients the newly-born hatchlings, which move towards the light instead of the sea. To mitigate this impact, the Guajiru Association manages the nests and promotes Environmental Education initiatives in non-formal settings. In this context, the study was developed to investigate the public's perception and the impact of the Guajiru Association's Environmental Education activities during the assisted sea turtle hatchings in João Pessoa (PB). The research sought to understand how the public is impacted by these events and whether this is an effective way of raising awareness for the conservation of turtles and the ocean. Using a qualitative approach that was exploratory, descriptive, and phenomenological, the research analyzed the participants' experiences and perceptions. The results showed a predominant participation of women; most participants resided in the municipality of João Pessoa and held a higher education degree. Furthermore, 66.1% of the respondents had participated in the studied activity. This made it possible to perceive the importance of the Association's work, revealing that participation in the assisted hatchings causes a significant transformation in the public's awareness and engagement in marine conservation. The activity not only increases knowledge about sea turtles but also provides emotional moments for the people who participated and reported a range of different feelings.