Leatherback Sea Turtles in Further Danger if Research Camp Closed in Costa Rica
Written by Ramiro Suarez
Tuesday, 06 December 2005
Leatherback Sea Turtles in Further Danger if Research Camp Closed in Costa Rica
December 6, 2005 – San José, Costa Rica The critically endangered leatherback sea turtle, already on the brink of extinction, received a new threat last week when on November 30, 2005 the Municipality of Nandayure in Guanacaste presented PRETOMA with an order to break down its research camp at Caletas, one of the most important eastern Pacific leatherback nesting beaches in the world.
Leatherbacks nesting on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica are part of the most endangered population of sea turtles in the world. Scientists estimate that fewer than 1000 nesting females exist in the Pacific waters off the coasts of North, Central and South America, a decline of 99% in the last 25 years. Photos: http://www.tortugamarina.org/downloads/images/baulitas25.jpg (cite PRETOMA) http://www.tortugamarina.org/downloads/images/baulitas.jpg (cite PRETOMA) http://www.tortugamarina.org/downloads/images/leatherbacksmall.jpg (cite Doug Perrine) PRETOMA has been protecting and researching leatherbacks at a small research camp at Caletas, on the north central Pacific coast, with research permits since 2002, and for the last two years has been working with the Ministry of Environment to declare the beach and surrounding habitats as a National Wildlife Refuge. “November, December and January are the peak nesting months for leatherbacks,” says Erick Lopez Co-coordinator of the PRETOMA project at Caletas. “To shut down the project would result in the deaths of hundreds of critically endangered baby sea turtles.” Prior to PRETOMA’s presence, 93% of all leatherback and olive ridley nests laid at Caletas were either eaten by predators, poached or rendered infertile by tidal inundation, while only 7% produced hatchlings. With PRETOMA’s conservation and protection measures, during the 2004 season 89% of nests were protected, demonstrating the importance of the Caletas project for the future of leatherback and olive ridley populations. “In addition to collecting data and protecting nests we also conduct educational programs in the local schools, organize beach cleanups and invite Costa Ricans to visit the camp and learn about sea turtles,” states Charlotte Adams, Co-coordinator of the Caletas research camp for PRETOMA. “It would be a real shame, not only for the sea turtles, but for local community members and all Costa Ricans if this project were to end.” The Municipality of Nandayure served PRETOMA with the order to break down the camp claiming that PRETOMA has no right to maintain a camp on the beach of Caletas since it is public property. Upon receiving the order PRETOMA immediately filed a lawsuit requesting retraction of the order and pointing out legal justifications for the camp which include various laws, international agreements and the Constitution to maintain the project and camp. PRETOMA also points out that the only justification for removal of the camp provided by the Municipality is article 12 of the Law of the Maritime Terrestrial Zone which states that no project or structure can be set up in the public zone without a legal permit. However, the Costa Rican Forestry Law states that in the public zones, including those administered by municipalities, the Ministry of Environment (MINAE) can authorize research projects and PRETOMA has always had the necessary research permits to conduct the project, as well as a permit for the research camp granted by MINAE.
Removal of the camp would also be a violation of the public interest since the National Law of Protection and Recovery of Populations of Sea Turtles states that research of sea turtles is in defense of the public interest. Furthermore, the eviction of PRETOMA from Caletas would spell the death of sea turtles, resulting in a violation the Costa Rican Constitution which guarantees all citizens the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. Costa Rica has signed multiple international accords requiring specific actions to protect leatherback sea turtles, including a resolution signed in November, 2004 at the Interamerican Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, which specifically asks the parties involved to immediately implement conservation programs which can help reverse the critical situation being faced by leatherbacks. The resolution also urges all countries that have leatherback nesting beaches in the eastern Pacific to protect these beaches and their associated habitats. PRETOMA was surprised by the eviction order, given that strong local community and international support exists for the project, plus the fact that for years the Municipality has been aware of the project and of PRETOMA’s work with MINAE to create the Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge. “We are especially surprised at the timing of the order,” says Ingrid Yañez, Director of Nesting Beach Projects for PRETOMA. “There is a growing international movement to protect leatherbacks, 40,000 Costa Rican citizens just signed a petition last month calling on the government to take steps to support leatherback conservation, we are close to creating the National Wildlife Refuge at Caletas and we are right at the peak of the leatherback nesting season.” PRETOMA is urging all concerned with the plight of the leatherback sea turtle to call or fax the Municipality of Nandayure urging them to retract the eviction order. Telefax: +(506) 657-7081 / 657-7500. CONTACT: Randall Arauz, President PRETOMA TEL: +(506) 241-5227 FAX: +(506) 236-6017 PRETOMA (Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas) is a Costa Rican non-profit, non-governmental, marine conservation organization that works to promote sustainable fisheries and protect sea turtles, sharks and marine biodiversity. PRETOMA is a member of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals). Contact / www.tortugamarina.org.
