The Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (ICAPO) promotes the recovery of critically endangered hawksbill turtles in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which is considered one of the world’s most endangered sea turtle populations. ICAPO has achieved unprecedented results (e.g., >98% nest protection and strong community support) at the primary hawksbill nesting grounds in El Salvador and Nicaragua through implementation of an innovative incentive program that rewards locals for protecting hawksbills.