SHARED CONSERVATION,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF
SEA TURTLES IN NICARAGUA,
COSTA RICA AND PANAMA
A Synthesis For Policy Makers
Lic. Nikolas Sánchez Espino
Paulino Madrigal Rodriques, Lic. Candidato
Sekita Grant, LLM Candidate
Project Overview
Domestic Law: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
Local management and protection of nesting and foraging
beaches
Regional Laws: The SPAW protocol to the Cartagena Convention,
SICA, The Central American Biodiversity Convention, The
Western Hemisphere Convention, DR-CAFTA
International Law: CITES, Biodiversity Convention, Bonn
Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal,
RAMSAR, Law of the Sea Convention
Recommendations
Introduction to Sea
Turtles
Species of Significance
Loggerhead
Big Crustaceans
Green Turtle
Sea grass beds
Leatherback
Jelly Fish
Hawksbill Turtle
Sponges on coral
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
Loggerhead
F
N, F?
N, F
Green Turtle
N, F
N, F
N, F
Leatherback
N
N
N
N, F
N, F
N, F
Hawksbill
Turtle
Key: N = Nesting; F =
Foraging
Adult feeding
grounds
Lifecycle
Juvenile
Photo:CCC file
Photo:CCC file
Mating
Photo:CCC file
Hatchlings
Photo:S. Troëng
Egglaying
Photo:CCC file
Inter-nesting
Photo:CCC file
Turtle Grass Species Range (Green Turtles)
Caribbean Sea
Tortuguero
Brazil
Green & Short (2003), Photo/foto Marjo Vierros Bermuda Turtle Project
(one
return)
Green Turtle Tag Returns
<20 m
Caribbean Sea
Tortuguero
Brazil
(one
return)
Carr et al. (1978), Troëng et al. (In press, en prensa)
Threats to Sea Turtles
Tourism and Coastal Development
Lighting
Coastal Erosion
Consumption
Beach Mining
Climate Change: sea level rise, elimination of food sources,
change in ocean currents
Fishing: direct capture (food, trade), incidental capture
Domestic Law
Nicaragua ~ Costa Rica ~ Panama
Nicaragua
Domestic Law
Constitution - fundamental legal basis for natural resource protection and management
Dichotomy
Article 60 - obliges State preservation, conservation and restoration of the environment
and natural resources and to establish the appropriate structures and measurees to
fulfill this mandate
Article 89 - recognizes the rights of Caribbean coastal communities to preserve and
develop their cultural identity
Ley de Pesca y Acuicultura - requires use of TEDs, establishes penalties, allows noncommercial subsistence fishing
Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawskbill protected (Green Turtle can be taken for subsistence
purposes during an open season)
Others: Ley de Caza, Reglamento de Explotación y Prohibición de la Destrucción de las Tortugas (1958), Decreto Ejecutivo Relativo a la Veda de
Tortugas en el Océano Atlántico (1972), Decreto de Prohibición de Aprehensión y Caza de Toda Clase de Animales Silvestres y Exportación de Huevos
de Tortugas (1977), Ley N 2 (1983) (prohibits hunting of Loggerheads and Hawksbill Turtles), Ley General del Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales,
Ley de Normalización Técnica y Calidad, Resolución Ministerial que Establece el Sistema de Vedas de Especias Silvestres Nicaraguenses, Acuerdo
Ministerial para el Uso de los Aparatos Exclusores de Tortugas
Responsible Organizations - MARENA
Local Management
Costa Rica
Domestic Law
Ley de Protección, Conervación y Recuperación de las Poblaciones de Tortugas
Marinas (2002)
Applied international commitments into national law
Penalties for takes
Reiterates TED requirements
Ley de Conservación de Vida Silvestre - protects on land
MINAE Decreto Ejecutivo 26435 (1997) - lists all six marine turtle species
occurring in Costa Rica as threatened with extinction
MINAE Decreto Ejecutivo 30364 (2002) - revises penalties for wildlife violations
provided by the Wildlife Law 7317
Responsible Organizations - MINAE, SINAC, INCOPESCA, Ministerio de Seguridad
Pública and Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas
Local Management
Panama
• Kuna Yala People have
placed a ban for 5 years on
turtle foraging even when
they depend on these
resource
The ban last until november
19, 2011; but according to
the resolution it might be
extended if necessary.
International Law
Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama
Protocol Concerning Specifically Protected
Areas and Wildlife (SPAW)
No
No
R
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
R
R
R
Convention on International Trade of
Endangered Species (CITES)
E
E
E
No
No
E
Inter-American Convention for the Protection
and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC)
S
R
R
Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance (Ramsar)
E
E
E
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
Key: Ratified (R); Entry into Force (E); Signed (S)
Significant International
Agreements
CITES
CMS
Inter-American Convention On The Protection and
Conservation Of Sea Turtles
CBD
Ramsar
DR-CAFTA
Recommendations
Tripartite Agreement: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama; or if the case, binational agreement between CR and PTY due to their demonstrated will to
comply with it
Work with local communities
Awareness: development industry and local communities
Implementation of regional management plans based on nesting and
foraging sites
Take into account all applicable domestic, regional and international laws
Economical and ecological sea turtle value identified, measured and
accounted to developed a base line for resource management and
development.
Questions...