Conservation in ACTION
As we wrap up our
Coastal-Marine Research Program with the Danish International Cooperation Agency (
DANIDA) we're pleased to share some of the project's successes.
Protecting Turtles and Marine Resources
Our Sea Turtle Ranger program has been strengthened. With help from
PRETOMA,
we've provided turtle first aid training to our rangers so that we can
help revive turtles caught in fishing nets and help them return to
health. And thanks to additional support from Fauna and Flora
International (
FFI),
rangers have also received training in techniques to apply satellite
transmitters. Through DANIDA's support, we will be affixing six
transmitters to Hawksbill and Green turtles over the coming months.
Additionally, we've provided traditional first aid training to help the
rangers keep themselves safe and injury free on beaches. Our rangers
received a refresher course on First Aid from the
Nicaraguan Red Cross.
We are building the basis for long-term protection of reefs and turtle
habitat. Marine biologist Arturo Bocos from UABCS-Mexico gave training
to Nicaraguan biologists in underwater monitoring methods and
techniques. Nicaraguan undergraduate student Anielka Barilla just
completed an assessment of dive fishing carried out on local reefs. And,
the University of Costa Rica led a team of researchers to evaluate the
reefs and their habitat quality for foraging sea turtles.
Taking advantage of the visiting researchers, Paso Pacifico celebrated a
symposium on coastal-marine conservation in San Juan del Sur, with
participation from FFI, UNAN-Leon, and University of Costa Rica.
Empowering Coastal Communities
Through DANIDA and
Turner Foundation support, we've launched a new
Junior Ranger program
where local youth can take on service and learning projects to earn
points and eventually achieve Junior Ranger status. Over 120 local
children are enrolled in this nature-based learning program and service
projects such as clean-ups and tree plantings are underway.
We have equipped local fishermen with Flip cameras so that they may film
their work at sea. Their short films are now being compiled so that
they may be shared with the entire community. Creating a sense of pride
in the ocean and its resources will help us build awareness with the
fishermen.
Understanding community perspectives is also vital. Thus, as part of
this project we carried out an assessment of community attitudes and
perspectives on sea turtles. We also designed a process and initiated
meetings to reduce conflicts surrounding sea turtle conservation.
Pictured above: These locals line fishing in the waves are some of the fishermen working with Paso Pacifico toward the sustainable fisheries which are part of the DANIDA project.
