Binational Alliance Agreement for the Conservation of Sea Turtles: A Shared Resource

The agreement was first proposed in 2000 by Sebastian Troëng and Didiher Chacón, with the goal of facilitating technical cooperation and the exchange of scientific information on the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). However, the initial efforts were hindered by a lack of information sharing and funding constraints. In 2012, WIDECAST and USAID revived the agreement through the binational partnership for sea turtles of the Caribbean. The partnership aims to enhance the efficiency of sea turtle conservation and protection efforts by promoting collaboration and information sharing among participating organizations. Despite the challenges of working together, the partnership offers a unique opportunity for sea turtle conservation projects to overcome their differences and establish a collaborative atmosphere. Eight organizations are currently implementing sea turtle conservation and protection projects in the binational zone, which spans from Barra de Colorado in Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro in Panama. These organizations include STC, WIDECAST, EWT, ASTOP, ASCOTOCA, ASOMIPAG, APP-CHIQUITA, and Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary. Six of these organizations attended a workshop on the binational partnership for sea turtle conservation in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica, in July 2012. The workshop was also attended by government agencies responsible for natural resource management and conservation in Costa Rica and Panama, including ARAP, ANAM, MINAET, MAG, and INCOPESCA. However, ANAM and MINAET did not participate in the workshop, which limited government involvement in the discussions and activities. The main problems facing sea turtle conservation projects in the Caribbean are nest raiding, killing of turtles arriving to nest, lack of support from government agencies, and failure to observe current environmental law. To address these threats, the participating organizations reached a verbal agreement to launch an awareness campaign against the consumption of sea turtle eggs and meat in the binational zone. This informal agreement aims to promote a collaborative atmosphere and enhance the effectiveness of sea turtle conservation and protection efforts in the Caribbean. The next step is to ensure follow-through on the agreement, with the goal of gradually overcoming differences and establishing a trust-based collaboration among the participating organizations. This will require the involvement of each organization in the campaign, as well as a commitment to working together to address the challenges facing sea turtle conservation projects in the Caribbean. The binational alliance for the conservation of sea turtles in the Caribbean offers a unique opportunity for sea turtle conservation projects to collaborate and share information, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their conservation and protection efforts. By working together, these organizations can overcome their differences and establish a collaborative atmosphere that promotes the conservation and protection of sea turtles in the Caribbean. The participating organizations in the binational alliance include STC, WIDECAST, EWT, ASTOP, ASCOTOCA, ASOMIPAG, APP-CHIQUITA, and Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary. These organizations are working together to address the challenges facing sea turtle conservation projects in the Caribbean, including nest raiding, killing of turtles arriving to nest, lack of support from government agencies, and failure to observe current environmental law. The binational alliance is a collaborative effort that aims to promote the conservation and protection of sea turtles in the Caribbean. By working together, the participating organizations can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their conservation and protection efforts, ultimately promoting the long-term sustainability of sea turtle populations in the region.