Sea Turtle Conservation in Drake Bay, Coasta Rica

Drake Bay, Costa Rica is similar to hundreds of beaches where the marine turtle trade is an important source of income. By 2004, the depredation and loss of nests reached 85% of total nesting, and the Olive Ridley population was endangered. The Corcovado Foundation arrived to Drake Bay in response to the environmental concerns of several community members in 2005.This Costa Rican organization has implemented a model of community-based conservation through the local association, ACOTPRO. The first overarching goal of this study is to analyze economic aspects of marine turtle uses and the socioeconomic impact of this particular conservation program on surrounding communities. The second goal of this study was to measure sea turtle hatchery efficiency by comparing incubation conditions of nests relocated to the hatchery, against natural conditions of in-situ nests on the beach. We studied thermal profiles of Lepidochelys olivacea nests in Drake Bay, during the nesting season of 2010. The parameters monitored were; Olive Ridley’s incubation temperatures, clutch sizes and hatching successes. We concluded that the hatchery has similar thermal conditions as the beach. In addition, we estimated that Drake Bay may exhibit a male bias in the total hatchling production during the Olive Ridley nesting season in 2010. The results indicate that the location of oviposition doesn’t have effect on the research parameters. However, the incubation temperatures within study nests were affected by timing of oviposition, decreasing from nests laid in August to October. As a consequence, the expected proportion of males increased over time. By monitoring nest conditions, both on the beach and in the hatchery, projects will be better suited to incorporate temperature data into management decision