To protect and study the population of nesting sea turtles on the beach from Rio Carate to Laguna Pejeperro and the surrounding ecosystems.

Through physical presence on the beach, scientific data collection and analysis, and environmental education we, at SITMAR, are committed to the conservation and sustainability of the Osa Peninsula.

Location

In the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica, isolated from the semi-commercialized Gulfo Dulce by the Corcovado National Park, is a small community with more scarlet macaws than people: Carate. Nestled in this lush stretch of coastal jungle and on the edge of Pejeperrito wetlands, the Field Station Laguna Tortuga is being constructed. The nine kilometers of beach from Rio Carate to Laguna Pejeperro has been documented receiving approximately three thousand sea turtle nests per year (Drake, D.L. 1996). Four sea turtle species crawl up the beach to dig nests and lay eggs; the most common is Olive Ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea), Black Turtles (Chelonia agassazii), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata) (Govan, H. y ADECORO. 1996).

Reasoning

Every sea turtle nesting habitat in the world has a host of natural predators, ranging from coatis and raccoons to jaguars and frigate birds. For ages, sea turtles and their natural predators have lived symbiotically without any major population impact; but when humans started to exploit turtles for their meat, shells and eggs major turtle population declines began. In addition, development, pollution and fishing along nesting beaches have disturbed nesting habitat, increased mortality of nesting populations, and brought in non-native predators: e.g., dogs, pigs and people. In order to protect sea turtles from these non-native threats we need to have a presence on the beach. Sea turtle conservation projects throughout the world have negatively impacted depredation with the simple step of patrolling the beach while turtles are nesting (Eckert, Bjorndal, et al 1999, Carr 1967).

Strategy

Controlling nest and hatchling predation by dogs and poachers requires a well-organized conservation management program and help from local residents. SITMAR helps to protect this important natural resource through three components: sea turtle nesting and conservation study, environmental education program, public informational campaign.

SITMAR protects the beaches Carate, Rio Oro and Pejeperro with its sea turtle nesting and conservation study. During the nesting season groups of researchers and volunteers patrol the beach searching for nesting sea turtles to study and nests to relocate to a protective hatchery.
We have developed a public relations campaign and environmental education project to change attitudes about consumption of sea turtle meat and eggs by educating this and the next generation about conservation and the environment. These programs broaden awareness and provide local children with extra-curricular activities that seem to be lacking in the curriculum of the schools in Costa Rica. By using these three components together we have been able to start to conserve an important ecosystem in the Osa Peninsula.

National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation has been helping to protect sea turtles for more than 15 years. In 2002, National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation - NSTSTF (www.savetheseaturtle.org) - helped to create Salvamento Internacional de la Tortuga del Mar – SITMAR - and the Sea Turtle Conservation and Environmental Education program for Carate, Rio Oro and Pejeperro, Osa peninsula, Costa Rica. After two successful years and many hatchling turtles later the NSTSTF and SITMAR are working together smoothly for the protection of our ecosystem and the development of our Field Station Laguna Tortuga.

Results from Conservation Program
2002 Season