Quantifying Illegal Extraction of Sea Turtles in Costa Rica

Estimates of illegal wildlife trade vary significantly and are often based on incomplete datasets, inferences from CITES permits or customs seizures. As a result, annual global estimates can by several billions US dollars. Translating these figures into species extraction rates is equally challenging, estimating take accurately not achievable for many species. Due to their nesting strategies that allow census data collection, sea turtles offer an exception. On the Caribbean coast Costa Rica, three turtle (leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea; green, Chelonia mydas ; hawksbill, Eretmochelys imbricata ) exploited poachers. Despite consumption eggs meat being illegal, they consumed as cultural food source seasonal treat. Conservation programmes monitor beaches, collect abundance record poaching events. availability robust long-term quantifying rate has yet be undertaken. Using globally important beach, Tortuguero, well beaches Playa Norte Pacuare we modelled spatial temporal distribution Here, present 2006 2019 stretch coastline covering c.37 km. We identified hotspots correlated with populated areas. While persisted over time, found declining at each our sites. However, urge caution when interpreting this result impact varies between Given low pressure leatherback hawksbill far greater than abundant green turtles. attribute decline in supply-side conservation interventions place beaches. Finally, highlight value sharing collaborations NGOs.