Comparative Analysis of the Sustainability of Sea Turtle Conservation Efforts in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala
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Noonan, Audrey Patterson
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Abstract
Conservation efforts worldwide have been growing to keep up with anthropocentric impact and environmental demands which often require an interdisciplinary approach. By taking into account both ecological and human dimensions, including local culture, socio-economic and political aspects, solutions to biological problems are made more effective by interaction with outside pressures. Here, we took this approach to examine the success and sustainability of sea turtle conservation efforts in three tropical regions in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua), through intensive literature review. We investigated a triple-bottom line framework, requiring the incorporation of biological, sociocultural, and political needs. Each of the conservation projects examined has been affected by the unique bioregional identity of each country and its inhabitants. By comparing nesting rates of the turtles with levels of positive local perception and integration of local culture, conservation efforts can be refined based on values in the area. In protected areas like Tortuguero and Ositional in Costa Rica, where the cultural norms are included in conservation efforts inclusion of events such as arribadas as part of local culture and conservation, project longevity is increased as well as local opinion and involvement. Historically, Costa Ricans harvest sea turtle eggs throughout nesting season ,but due to the endangered status of marine turtles worldwide, the Costa Rican government took into account the practices of locals and created a compromise that would be well received and ultimately last the test of time. A temporary ban was put on the Ostional harvest, allowing only the first two nests of the season to be used for human consumption. The results were overwhelmingly positive, and this research supports the belief that cultural practice and community-based solutions hold the answer to conservation issues.
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sea turtles, conservation, sustainability, cultural practice, community based conservation, poaching, egg harvesting projects, triple bottom line, traditional ecological knowledge, cultural inclusion, nesting, arribada, costa rica, nicaragua, guatemala, protected beaches