SEA TURTLES

SEE THEM, SAVE THEM

As recently as a couple of dozen decades ago, fishermen often could not set their nets because marine turtles were so thick that there was no room to fish!

No more. Sadly, in just a few decades, these animals---which have survived since the days of dinosaurs---have been reduced to a tiny, tiny fraction of their former numbers.

That’s where Costa Rica tourism and you come in.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It wasn’t all that long ago that hundreds of millions of these reptiles swam the oceans, laying billions of eggs each year.

Where? Just about everywhere that there were beaches----and there are a lot of beaches worldwide. The east coast, the west coast, the gulf coast of the U.S. Thousands of beaches in Central and South America. Thousands of beaches from China to India, Indonesia to Australia, Europe to the Middle East.

Somehow, in the span of just a few decades, this seemingly limitless number of animals has dwindled to the point that all but one species are endangered and some are critically endangered (i.e., on the verge of extinction). Learn more from Seaworld's great Marine Turtles Info Book, click here

The Bad and Ugly

Millions of eggs were (and still are) sold in bars to drunken patrons across the world as aphrodisiacs. Vast numbers were accidentally killed by drowning in huge ocean fishing nets or barbed tuna hooks. And, of course, innumerable beaches now sport hotels, resorts, and housing developments.

Who Is The Good Guy?

But in this real-life drama, there are lots of folks who deserve to play the hero.

There are the visionaries who preserved the largest green sea turtle nesting site in central America at Tortuguero. One of Costa Rica's Seven Wonders, Tortuguero, click here

There are the hundreds of students from around the world who help preserve these magnificent animals when they study abroad in Costa Rica, click for more

There are governments who, once part of the problem, are now working to be part of the solution. Thanks to the (belated) leadership of the U.S. (joined by many countries), thousands of sea turtles are saved from drowning each year due to escape hatches in fishing nets and barbless tuna hooks.

And governments, like Costa Rica, that have taken the lead in conservation efforts years and years before it became politically fashionable and are committed to sustainability.

And important conservation organizations around the world like the World Wildlife Fund and Sierra Club.

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And there are hundreds of people who simply want to make the planet better by volunteering their services. These are the unpaid heroes who take volunteer vacations, click for more

Don't Forget Costa Rica Tourism and Ecotourism

It was quickly discovered that sea turtles are three times more valuable alive than dead. How? From ordinary folks like you and me who pay money as tourists to see one of God's great creations.

Which brings me to YOU. Every year more than 50,000 people travel to Costa Rica to watch the sea turtles nesting at Tortuguero. Thousands more visit other nesting beaches and stand in awe on their Costa Rica vacation.

We have the ability to destroy anything in our path but the capacity to make the world better.

So, come to Costa Rica. Enjoy the beaches, the mountains, the volcanoes, the birds and fish, the sea turtles.

Literally, Costa Rica ecotourism is helping save these creatures.

And, in your own way, help save these magnificent creatures for YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN. I also recommend supporting organizations like Pretoma, click here

Update. Sad to Tell You This

How sad to have this magnificent animal which has roamed the oceans since the days of dinosaurs exterminated while on our watch.

And, if you want to learn more about fighting to keep these creatures safe see this important newsletter from Pretoma (covers turtles and shark finning), click

Update: U.S. Bans Costa Rica Shrimp

Unfortunately, sometimes enforcement practices are simply pathetic.

This is particularly noteworthy in its malaise about the incidental deaths of so many sea turtles by commercial shrimp fishermen.

Needless deaths because there is a simple device called a "turtle excluder device" that saves these magnificent creatures from drowning.

It's a device that Costa Rica agreed to require as part of a marine turtle treaty but has not rigorously implemented.

Sometimes, there are consequences.

The United States government has banned the importation of Costa Rica shrimp in retaliation for the disregard of the treaty and an incentive to Costa Rica to clean up its act.

Bravo! Now, if the U.S. were only to step up and enforce shark finning bans, click

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