The project, on the Waini River, north west Guyana, is one of the first steps of the wider aim to develop the entire region (from the Waini river to the coast and Shell Beach) into a protected area.
This holistic, regional approach could also impact on the sea turtles [including the charismatic Leatherbacks pictured below] of Shell Beach and the surrounding fishing communities. Some fishermen in the area are known to poach sea turtle eggs and even butcher the turtles on the beach for sale as meat in local markets.