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My wife and I live in Puerto Viejo, Guanacaste (its the lesser know PV) just north of Playa Grande. There is another small beach near us called Play Minas (sp?). Anyway, the other morning my wife and I were walking with the dogs and noticed about a dozen fresh nest and also adult turtles in the water.
Again today, I returned with my dogs and there were probably over fifty fresh nest. Unfortunately, I saw some people raiding a nest. I know people here like to eat them and it may be a cultural thing, but my question is should I report this and if so to whom? I know there is a group that patrols Grande, but I have know idea who it is or where an office is located. Any ideas on what I should do?
Hum. I’m no expert but I thought the turtle nesting season was over on the coast at this time of year. Maybe the turtles are late!
There is something called The Coast Guard around there that, I think, looks after that sort of thing. It say’s “Guardia de Costa” (or something like that) on their boats and equipment. I’ve seen them on patrol on the beaches etc. just up the coast from you. They wear army uniforms and carry machine guns. I’m told they police anything to do with the coastlines. You may have to look up their office number – probably in Limon. It’s my understanding (keep in mind that I’m not a resident) that those turtles are endangered and protected. A report may bring some patrols to that beach.
On the other hand, I know that some families have been eating the eggs AND the turtles for generations, and I don’t mean to sound disrespectful to them. Sometimes that’s all there is to eat. There are conservation efforts in several places that I know of along the coast. There may be a group on P.V. you could notify also.
the season over here is from October to March. Yeah, I know people here who drink them (with salsa chili) in the bar and they just laugh at me when I try to explain why its not a good thing.
There are groups who protect turtles in Costa Rica, I know of one in Playa Hermosa/Jaco maybe you can google it. Also I believe that Ticos are allowed to harvest eggs with restrictions-not sure of the details though?
Perrogrande, Who you call is MINAE (see contact info below), you tell them the beach and what you have observed. If you have the ability to document the times you see people raiding the nests the better. In CR some local populations are given the right to harvest some eggs and even turtle meat (like in Limon because it’s such a part of their culture, but it’s a certain amount and during a certain period), but I don’t know of this right existing in Guanacaste–the people at MINAE will be able to tell you. All turtles in CR are under threat of extinction so please call MINAE and ask for “Denuncias” so that you can report this and they will send people to check this out. I will also tell my friend in MINAE. Thanks for posting this…
Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE):
Information Office Telephone: (506) 192
Headquarters Telephone: (506) 283-8094Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG):
Apartado Postal 169-5000
Liberia, Guanacaste,Costa Rica
Liberia: (506) 666-0630
Santa Rosa: (506) 666-5051
Pocosol: (506) 661-8150
email: acg@acguanacaste.ac.crYou can also contact http://www.tortugamarina.org they work to help save the marine turtles in CR. Best of luck…Pura Vida…
Thank you. I’ll let you know how it goes with MINAE. I did speak with someone last night who said the same thing and also told me they (MINAE) have an office/station in Playa Grande. After going to Tortuguero in October and learning how many of these guys actually survive, I think it sucks they have to deal with humans interfering as well. Yesterday I told my caretaker what happened and he says he can buy a dozen for 700 Colones. Thats just sad.
No problem, let me know how you make out. The selling of turtle eggs was a lot more prevalent before which means that they have been able to attain some compliance, but still so much needs to be done if CR is to continue to be the home and nesting site of all of the marine turtles that are being pressured thru pollution, poaching and a myriad of other issues…Again, thank you for taking the initiative…Pura Vida!
We’ve been without power since 8:00 or I would have posted earlier, but that’s for another thread. So my wife and I went back to the beach this morning with the dogs and again there was evidence of turtles last night as well as some that had hatched this morning. While walking we saw a guard (he’s been there before but works for the property owner). I asked him if he saw these guys stealing eggs yesterday, because when I was there I didn’t see the guard. He said yes, that when he was done eating lunch he was doing his rounds, caught them with a sack full of eggs and told them to leave and not come back. He also told us that MINAE does patrol the area but not on a consistent basis. He says, he calls them when needed and has a good relationship with them. Hopefully he was being honest with us. He also told us how to contact them directly. Thanks for you help.
In a related matter I am told that the turtles don’t go to Playa Grande much anymore since the developer built a row of beach front homes much closer to the high tide line than the 50 meters required by law. An agent with Century 21 explained to me the other day that the beachfront homes on the development (to which they are exclusive agents) was originally more than 50 meters away but now it is not due to the rising sea level! (I understand they were built a little over five years ago!)
She said it without even a hint of a smile too….
Edited on Nov 16, 2007 07:43
Ahh…the power of green…money that is–not turtles nor vegetation! Ever hear how the telephone pole just came at the drunken driver and hit his car? I guess that real estate agent has a similar story! The best turtle watching I’ve ever done has been in Playa Langosta, it was an adventure to get there, but now a hotel replaced the turtle watching. Then we moved to Playa Grande and that also seems to be really struggling if not already effectively dead (even if some turtles still nest there–it may not be enough). That’s why I’m so glad when people actually take notice and do something about it. It’s great to dream about a better world, but it takes action to make it happen…I know the C21 bunch from Corporate and I’ll make sure to pass this little anecdote along…Thanks Perrogrande and Simondg…Pura Vida
Can you give us any more information on that simondg? “Originally more than 50 meters away but now it is not due to the rising sea level!”
Or maybe put me in touch with the agent?
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comRoark – A convenient fabrication this may indeed be. I tend to agree with your position on climate change – it’s happening yes, the reasons given may not be correct.
Edited on Nov 16, 2007 09:40
Scott – I’m not sure I want you to call her but I can assure you this is a direct quote from one of their agents at the beach. She came to look at my farm and was telling us about development costs and referenced Playa Grande Estates in the process.
The front line of homes is perhaps 25 meters from high tide at most; whether they are all part of PGE is not known to me and it could be some are privately held. I do know that their Plan on their website shows plots that front to the beach at the same distance as those already built; perhaps they could build farther back within the plot but not much since they back onto the beach road.
Really though the issue of whether all construction there belongs to PGE is not the point; she made the claim and passed the blame to nature and not to those that have built there. She defended existing construction based upon what must surely be misleading information in order to defend their project at that location.
As regards the service I have experienced with her so far I can tell you that she inspected our farm, gave us a valuation and asked us to forward various materials as you would expect. We did so by email and knowing she was going away for a week left things with her. That was some six weeks ago and not a word since; I won’t be following up with her!
I would like to give you her name but will feel like a snitch; I live at the beach now and like last time don’t want to alienate those I may need in the future. If you were to contact her she may well deny it and will make a good account of herself; what else would you expect from a professional salesperson?
Having said this, if you really want to take this up with her I could be convinced; I doubt I will use them anyway. On the other hand my Master Plan is in formation and we would hope to use as many agents as possible when ready; you see my dilemma.
I only wanted a valuation and whilst we shook hands on a price to offer it I am not that excited by it ($3.00m2). This doesn’t compare that well with a recent offer on your site in the “for sale by owner” section at $25m2 on the road to Huacas. My property fronts to the same road some five minutes away from Pinillas at Cana Fistula. She may be in the right range on value, it’s tough to say.
Edited on Nov 16, 2007 09:43
Perrogrande, Did you see this? Apparently there has been some turning of events regarding the poaching of turtle eggs and that’s what you have also witnessed. Did you contact MINAE yet? Let me know how that goes….Thanks, Pura Vida!
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POACHING OF TURTLE EGGS ON PACIFIC COAST SHOWS INCREASE
Turtle egg poaching at Playa Junquillal in Guanacaste has taken a sharp rise — just a couple of months after conservationists said the practice had been almost wiped out.
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