Hey urban nomads! Just few days ago, I came across an interesting form of tourist activity called sea turtle tourism and would like to share with. The tourism is promoted in a way to conserve turtles by mostly sea turtle conservation organisations. By 2009, there were around175,000 tourists who participate in sea turtle tours annually in more than 40 countries (WWF, 2009).

Tortuguero National Park

One of those sites is the Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica where marine turtle tourism contributed to US$6.7 million annually (Meletis & Harrison, 2010). It was established in 1970 to protect forests, wildlife, with a focus on sea turtle nesting sites. In terms of turtle management, the national park is a no-take zone – which is a type of marine protected area that totally prohibit the extraction or destruction of natural or cultural resources (Hunt & Vargas, 2018). This is why the national park has an established visitor management program and managed by professionals.

Sea turtle tourism is relatively new – starting out about 30 years ago and its potential negative impacts are brought to light by conservationists. Coastal development, beach lighting and beach infrastructure like chairs and umbrellas are interfering with the nesting of sea turtles. Flashlight and flash photography from tourists can also add on to the detrimental impacts (Meletis & Harrison, 2010). Sea turtles rely heavily on light for avigation and human/tourists’ interference through artificial light can alter and threaten the survival of sea turtles (Earth.com, 2019). Less than one third of the world’s Key Biodiversity Areas have complete night skies and around half of the area lie entirely under artificially bright skies (Earth.com, 2019).

Newborn sea turtles getting “attracted” to artificial lighting

Newborn sea turtles will hatch on the beach and only emerge at night when the temperature is cooler. They will move towards the brighter area and this area is supposedly the ocean due to the reflection of night sky. However, with development of street lights or nearby accommodation, sea turtles may unknowingly follow those lights instead and they might suffer from fatigue or predation (Earth.com, 2019).

River Turtle in Tortuguero National Park

That being said, in Tortuguero, tourists still play a critical role in the success of turtle conservation as it provides an alternative livelihood based on non-consumption of turtles. Tourist revenue can be generated through accommodation, food and guiding tours which in turn support conservation by redistributing the income throughout the national park (Meletis & Harrison, 2010).

However, the situation in Tortuguero is made complex due to the relationship between the resident stakeholders and professionals of the national park. Communication with the administration is proven to be difficult and resident stakeholders wish for more voice in the decision making process. Resident stakeholders also have their doubts on the no-take nature of the park as efforts to eliminate poaching have created perverse incentives (Hunt & Vargas, 2018). With growing number of visitors, the park will face difficulties as this will destroy and worsen visitor experience due to the large crowds during nesting events and strict management of viewing experience  at the national park (Hunt & Vargas, 2018).

To conclude, the marine ecosystems are among the most threatened (UNEP, 2006) and as with all ecosystems, conservation requires a balance and collaboration between “people and nature” which emphasise on sustaining local economic benefits while enhancing the management of conservation efforts.

Reference

Earth.com. (2019, December 21). Tourism can worsen deadly light pollution in sea turtle habitats • Earth.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://www.earth.com/news/tourism-light-pollution-sea-turtle/

Hunt, C., & Vargas, E. (2018). Turtles, Ticos, and Tourists: Protected Areas and Marine Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 36, 101-114. doi:10.18666/JPRA-2018-V36-I3-8820

Meletis, Z., & Harrison, E. (2010). Tourists and Turtles: Searching for a Balance in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Conservation and Society, 8(1), 26-43. Retrieved September 27, 2020, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/26392992

WWF. (2009). Money Talks: Economic Aspects of Marine Turtle Use and Conservation by Sebastian Troëng and Car. Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?153802%2Fwwwpandaorglacmarineturtlespublications