Ivory Coast opens first protected marine area
IVORY Coast has initiated its first protected marine area to protect sharks and turtles from overfishing near the West African country's coastline. The marine conservation area, spanning more than 1,000 square miles (2590 square km) off the town of Grand-Bereby, is part of an effort to bring Ivory Coast's marine conservation efforts in line with U.N. targets, the government said. Larger than the commercial capital of Abidjan, the area is home to sea-bed creatures, coral reefs and tropical fish, and is an important nesting and foraging ground for turtles, including the vulnerable leatherback. The area will also "undoubtedly boost local…