Costa Rica is internationally recognized as a leader in biodiversity conservation, and among its extensive natural heritage, sea turtles hold an iconic place. Two locations particularly stand out in these efforts: Ostional, on the Northern Pacific coast, and Tortuguero, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Both sites not only serve as critical refuges for the nesting of several sea turtle species, but also exemplify how community conservation and applied science can coexist to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
1. Ostional: Community Conservation and Mass Nesting Events
a. Context and Species
The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1984, is globally renowned as one of the few places where a unique biological phenomenon occurs: mass nesting events (arribadas) of olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). During these events, which mainly occur between July and December, tens of thousands of turtles simultaneously emerge along Ostional’s black sand beaches to nest within a span of a few days.
The olive ridley turtle, classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), relies heavily on these refuges for successful reproduction. The unique mass nesting dynamic of this species allows its reproductive strategy to maximize hatchling survival against natural predators.
b. Community Projects
One of the most innovative elements in Ostional is the model of sustainable harvesting of turtle eggs, managed by the Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de Ostional (ADIO). This practice, legalized under strict regulation, allows the community to collect a portion of the eggs during the early hours of arribadas, when the survival probability of early nests is low due to the subsequent overlay of new nests.
This model has been widely studied and documented in reports such as Campbell’s (1998) in Conservation Biology, highlighting that controlled harvesting has contributed to habitat protection and reduced illegal poaching, while generating direct economic benefits for the community (Campbell, 1998).
The Ostional project is considered a model case of participatory conservation, where the active involvement of local residents has been essential for ensuring the long-term success of management strategies.
c. Statistics and Results
According to the 2024 Annual Report of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), during the 2023–2024 season, over 1.2 million nests were recorded at Ostional, a figure that reflects the effectiveness of the community model in preserving critical habitat for the species. Additionally, the average hatching success rate was 85%, exceeding the global average for sea turtle conservation sites, where hatching success typically ranges between 60% and 80% (Spotila, 2004).
These results not only underline the success of practices implemented at Ostional but also reinforce the importance of integrating local communities into conservation projects.
2. Tortuguero: Scientific Research and Sustainable Tourism
a. History and Species
Tortuguero National Park, created in 1975, is one of the most important sites in the western Caribbean for the nesting of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), currently considered endangered by the IUCN. Scientific interest in the region began in the 1950s thanks to the pioneering work of American biologist Dr. Archie Carr, who dedicated his life to the study and protection of sea turtles. Carr identified Tortuguero as one of the world’s most significant beaches for the reproduction of this species (Sea Turtle Conservancy).
His research, documented in his classic work The Windward Road (1956), not only prompted the establishment of protective measures in Costa Rica but also inspired the founding of the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), which today continues to lead numerous conservation programs in Tortuguero.
In addition to green turtles, Tortuguero also hosts occasional nesting of hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), further increasing its ecological value as a biodiversity sanctuary.
b. Organizations and Projects
Since its foundation in 1959, the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) has maintained a continuous presence in Tortuguero, establishing one of the longest and most comprehensive sea turtle monitoring programs in the world.
The project includes:
- Tagging of nesting females.
- Monitoring of nesting and hatching success rates.
- Educational programs for residents and tourists.
- Establishment of a visitor center for environmental education.
Another important actor in the area is the Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC), which operates the Caño Palma Biological Station north of Tortuguero. COTERC conducts sea turtle monitoring, coastal habitat restoration projects, and works actively with the community on education and awareness programs.
Both organizations coordinate efforts with the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) to ensure the protection of the park and the species that depend on it.
c. Statistics and Results
According to the latest annual report of the Sea Turtle Conservancy (2024), the 2023 nesting season at Tortuguero recorded over 100,000 green turtle nests along the monitored beaches. Monitoring programs have allowed the identification of turtle migratory patterns, revealing that some females travel distances of up to 2,600 km between their feeding areas in Belize’s cays and Tortuguero’s beaches (Troëng et al., 2005).
Additionally, tagging and recapture data collected over more than six decades have shown:
- A gradual increase in nesting rates since the 1970s.
- Increased adult survival rates due to the reduction of illegal hunting and the establishment of marine protection regulations.
These results position Tortuguero as a successful model of conservation based on scientific research and sustainable ecotourism, offering valuable lessons for other projects across the Caribbean and worldwide.
3. Impact of Community Projects
The participation of local communities has been essential to the success of conservation programs in both Ostional and Tortuguero.
In Ostional, the sustainable harvesting model has significantly improved residents’ quality of life. According to a study published by Campbell (1998) in Conservation Biology, the income generated by the controlled sale of eggs has reduced the need for more harmful economic activities such as illegal hunting or sand extraction (Campbell, 1998).
A recent report from SINAC also highlights that community participation rates in patrol and nest monitoring activities in Ostional exceed 70%, demonstrating a strong sense of shared responsibility in protecting the resource.
In Tortuguero, the development of sustainable ecotourism has transformed the local community. According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy report (2024), over 80% of residents work in tourism-related activities such as nature guiding, turtle-watching tour operations, and sustainable lodging services.
Environmental training provided by STC and COTERC has increased awareness about the importance of conservation and has generated positive community support for the park’s protection measures.
The integration of economic benefits with environmental conservation is a concrete example of how community-based conservation can be an effective and replicable strategy in other regions.
4. Challenges and Future Perspectives
Despite significant advances, sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica faces major challenges.
One of the most critical problems is plastic pollution. A study conducted by Schuyler et al. (2014) in Proceedings of the Royal Society B concluded that sea turtles, particularly juveniles, mistake floating plastic fragments for food, resulting in high mortality rates (Schuyler et al., 2014).
Climate change also represents a severe threat. Increasing temperatures at nesting beaches can alter the sex ratio of hatchlings (higher temperatures produce more females), affecting the future viability of populations. Recent research, such as that by Jensen et al. (2018) in Current Biology, has documented these effects on several beaches worldwide (Jensen et al., 2018).
Moreover, bycatch continues to affect adult turtles, especially in areas where fishing nets do not use turtle excluder devices (TEDs).
To face these challenges, future strategies in Costa Rica must include:
- Strengthening plastic reduction policies.
- Continuing scientific research on climate change effects at nesting beaches.
- Greater implementation of responsible fishing practices.
- Expansion of environmental education in coastal communities.
Projects such as the National Sea Turtle Conservation Program of MINAE aim to coordinate efforts in these areas, combining science, governance, and social participation.
The advances in sea turtle conservation in Ostional and Tortuguero demonstrate that effective collaboration among local communities, scientists, NGOs, and government authorities can generate positive and sustainable results for biodiversity.
Ostional’s model, based on regulated and sustainable egg harvesting, offers a valuable example of how conservation can be successfully integrated with community economic benefits. Similarly, Tortuguero’s approach, combining long-term scientific research with a model of responsible ecotourism, has helped protect one of the world’s most important green turtle populations.
Nevertheless, persistent challenges such as plastic pollution, climate change, and bycatch highlight the need to maintain and strengthen conservation strategies. The integration of rigorous environmental policies, ongoing education of coastal communities, and promotion of responsible fishing practices are essential to ensuring the future of these emblematic species.
Through initiatives like those in Ostional and Tortuguero, Costa Rica continues to consolidate its position as a global leader in sea turtle conservation, serving as an inspiration for other regions seeking to balance human development with the preservation of marine ecosystems.
The story of these two iconic sites is a powerful reminder that when science, community, and political will converge, it is possible to build a future where conservation and human well-being reinforce each other.
