MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT- Feasibility Study

COTERC and York University initiated “El Proyecto Tortugas”, a monitoring programme designed to study sea turtle nesting activity on an unprotected beach north of Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The project began with morning censuses and has grown to include night patrols, tagging and collection of biometric data. This feasibility study is a critical review of the project between 2004 and 2006 and, building on the data collected and experience gained, a determination of whether and how the project may be sustained over the coming years.

Reports:
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>Turtle Conservation Project for the Tortuguero North Beach- Feasibility Study, 2006
by Frederik van Oudenhoven (500 KB)

MARINE TURTLE MONITORING PROGRAM

The aim is to determine the degree of poaching on the beach located north and outside the protected Tortuguero National Park. The beach is approximately 200 metres from the Caño Palma Biological Station. Track surveys are conducted and nests monitored for signs of disturbance. The stretch of beach being monitored is 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) and the total length walked each night is 11.2 kilometres (7 miles). Data is shared with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) as well as with other turtle projects in the country to help try to augment protection for the turtles on the beach.

Reports:
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>Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), 2007 Season
by Julie Jackson, James Lewis & Rebeca Chaverri (445 KB)
>Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), 2006 Season
by Lidia Chaparro, Jana Daigle & Ulla Kail (297 KB)
>Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), 2006 Season
by Lidia Chaparro, Jana Daigle & Ulla Kail (283 KB)

SEA TURTLE TAGGING PROGRAM

This project is conducted in co-operation with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) and Global Vision International (GVI). Volunteers work during the night assisting in tagging turtles in the hopes of gathering further information on their travels during their life cycle. Work is done on the same stretch of beach as the Feasibility Study; however, teams work independently. The project is assisted by the Ministry of Environment & Energy (MINAE) of Costa Rica to establish better protection for nesting females. This project runs from March until October 31st.