Many marine and coastal species, in particular sea turtles, cetaceans and the African manatee, have already enjoyed global protection for several decades through international treaties and conventions. These include, among others, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on the Protection of Migratory Species of Wild Animals or the Bonn Convention (CMS); and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (CMS) (CMS), which Benin has adhered to and ratified. To support the implementation of these conventions, of which Benin is a party, it has adopted several regulations, including Law No. 2002-16 of 18 October 2004 on the wildlife regime in the Republic of Benin, which classifies
these species among those fully protected. These provisions then encouraged the implementation of several initiatives aimed at protecting sea turtles all over the world, and therefore in Benin.