SHARED CONSERVATION, SHARED CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT AND USE OF MANAGEMENT AND USE OF

SEA TURTLES IN NICARAGUA, SEA TURTLES IN NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMACOSTA RICA AND PANAMA

Lic. Nikolas Sánchez EspinoPaulino Madrigal Rodriques, Lic. CandidatoSekita Grant, LLM Candidate

A Synthesis For Policy Makers

Project OverviewProject OverviewDomestic 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 Introduction to Sea TurtlesTurtles

Species of Species of SignificanceSignificance

Loggerhead

Big Crustaceans

Green Turtle

Sea grass beds

Leatherback

Jelly Fish

Hawksbill Turtle

Sponges on coral

Key: N = Nesting; F = Foraging

Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama

Loggerhead F N, F? N, F

Green Turtle N, F N, F N, F

Leatherback N N N

Hawksbill Turtle

N, F N, F N, F

Hatchlings

Juvenile

MatingPhoto:CCC file

Egg-laying

Photo:CCC file

Photo:S. Troëng

Photo:CCC file

Photo:CCC file

Adult feeding grounds

Inter-nesting

Photo:CCC file

LifecycleLifecycle

Caribbean Sea

Tortuguero

Green & Short (2003), Photo/fotoGreen & Short (2003), Photo/foto Marjo Vierros Bermuda Turtle Project Marjo Vierros Bermuda Turtle Project

Turtle Grass Species Range (Green Turtles)Turtle Grass Species Range (Green Turtles)

Brazil (one return)

Caribbean Sea

Tortuguero

Carr Carr et al.et al. (1978), Troëng (1978), Troëng et al.et al. (In press, en prensa) (In press, en prensa)

Green Turtle Tag ReturnsGreen Turtle Tag Returns

Brazil (one return)

<20 m

Threats to Sea TurtlesThreats to Sea TurtlesTourism 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 LawDomestic LawNicaragua ~ Costa Rica ~ Panama

NicaraguaNicaraguaDomestic 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 non-commercial 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 RicaCosta RicaDomestic 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

PanamaPanamaKuna 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 LawInternational 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

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) 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

Key: Ratified (R); Entry into Force (E); Signed (S)

Significant Significant International International AgreementsAgreementsCITES

CMS

Inter-American Convention On The Protection and Conservation Of Sea Turtles

CBD

Ramsar

DR-CAFTA

RecommendationsRecommendationsTripartite Agreement: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama; or if the case, bi-national 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...Questions...