One of the most pristine coastal areas of Costa Rica will be partially shut down after dark from now until March 15, 2015. The Las Baulas (Leatherback Turtles) Marine Park in the Osa Peninsula will close down beach access to Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas, Playa Langosta, and Playa Carbon from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am to allow for the massive arrivals of Dermochelys coriacea during nesting season. The measure was recently taken by the National System of Conservation Areas of Costa Rica (Spanish acronym: SINAC). Leatherback sea turtles have been pretty consistent over the last few years with regard to… The post Las Baulas Marine Park in Costa Rica Will Shut Down at Night appeared first on Costa Rica Star News. Continue reading →
One of the most pristine coastal areas of Costa Rica will be partially shut down after dark from now until March 15, 2015. The Las Baulas (Leatherback Turtles) Marine Park in the Osa Peninsula will close down beach access to Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas, Playa Langosta, and Playa Carbon from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am to allow for the massive arrivals of Dermochelys coriacea during nesting season.
The measure was recently taken by the National System of Conservation Areas of Costa Rica (Spanish acronym: SINAC). Leatherback sea turtles have been pretty consistent over the last few years with regard to their nesting season, which runs from early October to mid March each year. The leatherbacks swim up to the beach during the nocturnal high water to build their nests and lay their eggs; for this reason, Las Baulas park rangers will patrol the access points at night. Law enforcement officials will also conduct security operations to crack down on poachers.
Tourists and visitors are welcome to observe the nesting activities of these docile marine creatures from October 20th to February 15th. To arrange for a special tour guided by park rangers, please call 2653-0470 or visit the Las Baulas park office from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Reservations must be made eight days in advance, and all visitors are required to register their names and cédula or passport numbers, which will be verified before the tour starts. Some ***** visitors may even get to see **** sea turtles hatch and race towards the water as they begin their long lives in the ocean.
In addition to the nighttime restrictions, visitors to the aforementioned beaches will not be allowed to set up beach umbrellas, chairs or tents. The sea turtle nests are located in the higher parts of the beach, which are off limits during nesting season. Prohibited activities include: Bonfires, horseback riding, bringing dogs to the beach, fishing, and poaching.
Leatherback turtles in Costa Rica need all the protection they can get. As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star in 2012:
Leatherbacks, the largest sea turtle species, are among the most critically endangered due to a combination of historical and ongoing threats including egg poaching at nesting beaches and juvenile and adult turtles being caught in fishing operations. The new research on climate dynamics suggests that climate change could impede this populations ability to recover. If actual climate patterns follow projections in the study, the eastern Pacific population of leatherback turtles will decline by 75 percent by the year 2100
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