Indigenous community members in Ro Caa who participate in the turtle monitoring and conservation project at a meeting with STC

staff at Chiriqu Beach

USAID PROGRAM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVES
17 October 2011
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by the Sea Turtle Conservancy (formerly Caribbean Conservation Corporation) under a Sub-Task Order issued by Chemonics.

INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

Prime Contract and Task Order No. EPP-I-00-04-00020-00, Order #5 Subcontract Number EPP-I-00-04-00020-CCC Deliverable Number 1.13

ii

INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

CONTENTS
Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 4 Community Participation .................................................................................. 4 Sea Turtle Monitoring Program in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province ............................................................................................................... 4 Community Participation in National and International Events............................. 8 Training Opportunities for Community Members.................................................. 8 Community Participation in Sea Turtle Conservation Management in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province ........................................ 10 Tourism Private Partnerships ......................................................................... 11 Environmental Education and Outreach ........................................................ 14 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................. 15 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 15 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 16 Bibliography ..................................................................................................... 16 Appendices ...................................................................................................... Appendix 1 ......................................................................................................... Appendix 2 ......................................................................................................... Appendix 3 ......................................................................................................... Appendix 4 ......................................................................................................... 18 18 20 21 22

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The objective of this report is to provide a summary of the level of participation of indigenous community members in sea turtle conservation and monitoring programs; to review efforts to develop public-private partnerships to generate funds for sea turtle conservation and protection initiatives from tourist activities, and to detail environmental education and community outreach activities conducted by the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama, as part of their activities for the Program for the Management of Aquatic Resources and Economic Alternatives (MAREA), from 1 September, 2010 30 September, 2011. This report will update information previously detailed in the following reports submitted to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Preliminary Report on Community Participation in Sea Turtle Conservation Programs in Bocas del Toro, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2010). Progress Report on Indigenous Involvement in Sea Turtle Conservation Programs in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011 a). Progress Report on Private Partnerships to Support Sea Turtle Tourism Activities in Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011b). Progress Report on Environmental Education and Outreach Activities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011c).

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
STC and other conservation organizations conducting sea turtle programs in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama have worked closely with local coastal communities for many years; involving community members in all aspects of the research, monitoring and conservation work being conducted in the region.

SEA TURTLE MONITORING PROGRAMS IN THE COMARCA NGBE-BUGL AND BOCAS DEL TORO PROVINCE
All monitoring activities conducted at Chiriqu Beach during the period 1 September, 2010 30 September, 2011 were conducted by members of the two indigenous communities that are located at either extremity of the nesting beach.
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As in previous years, STC worked in close collaboration with leaders of the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and members of the local conservation organization, Association for the Protection of Ngbe-Bugl Natural Resources (APRORENANB) providing updates on the results of the monitoring and conservation program to community and Comarca leaders, and discussing potential solutions to continued threats to sea turtles within the Comarca territory. A total of 25 people from the communities of Ro Caa and Ro Chiriqu were employed by STC during the timeframe of this report (See Appendix 1); including one field assistant, 12 beach monitors (See Figure 1), eight cooks, three security guards and one boat captain. Of these, eight were women. The majority of these people were existing Figure 1. Beach monitors, seen here collecting employees of STC, although a biometric data from a leatherback turtle, are all new beach monitor was hired in from communities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl December 2010, two in March 2011 and one Jun 2011; these people received training in all aspects of the monitoring protocol from STC Research Coordinator (RC), Cristina Ordoez, prior to participating in program activities at the nesting beach. In addition to the contracted personnel, there were also eight community members who participated in monitoring activities at Chiriqu Beach (See Appendix 2). The majority were high school students from Ro Caa who have an interest in gaining hands-on experience with sea turtles. These volunteers play a key role in the program; once trained they work alongside the regular beach monitors and their presence allows extra night patrols to be conducted, so increasing the number of encounters with nesting females over the course of the season. In addition to the activities conducted at Chiriqu Beach, STC also monitors two other sea turtle nesting beaches within the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl; Escudo de Veraguas Island and Red Beach (Playa Roja). These study sites have a different monitoring protocol and so require fewer personnel to conduct program activities; monitoring is carried out over a shorter time period during the year (May thru November), and no night patrols are conducted. At Escudo de Veraguas Island one beach monitor was contracted to conduct track surveys (See Appendix 1); this man lives on the island, thereby facilitating the daily survey protocol and reducing fuel expenses. At Red Beach three people from the community located at the beach were employed; two men and one
INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT 5

woman (See Appendix 1). These four people were newly contracted in May 2010; they received training and participated in supervised surveys with the RC and Field Assistant (FA), Genaro Castillo, prior to conducting monitoring activities unsupervised. The RC and/or FA also provide continual supervision to staff at these two beaches during site visits very two weeks throughout the monitoring period (May November). Outside the Comarca there were also other coastal communities involved in sea turtle conservation and monitoring programs within Bocas del Toro Province. Since 2010, STC has been working with members of the Bluff Beach (Playa Bluff) community to conduct conservation activities at this sea turtle nesting beach on Isla Colon, close to the town of Bocas del Toro. The local community had expressed concern about the fate of turtles and their nests at the beach (there is still Figure 2. STC staff with volunteer beach illegal take of both nesting females monitors from Bluff Beach community in front of the hatchery and eggs), and were interested in initiating a conservation project. In February 2011, the RC conducted a training course with 15 people, mainly members of the community, but also interested ex-pats living close to Bluff Beach. Details about the workshop were presented in the report entitled Progress Report on Environmental Education and Outreach Activities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011c). Following the training course nine people from the community were involved in the monitoring and conservation activities (See Appendix 3, and Figures 2 and 3). These people are all members of the community conservation organization, Asociacin Natural Bocas Carey (ANABOCA); Bocas Hawksbill Association was created specifically to support sea turtle protection efforts at Bluff Beach. The beach monitors worked as volunteers from February July 2011; from August, they received a salary. At present Bluff Beach is only registered as a Municipal Protected area, which provides a very limited level of protection. However, it is the
6

Figure 3. A beach monitor checks on leatherback nests in the hatchery at Bluff Beach

INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

hope of STC and other interested stakeholder groups that it can awarded a higher protection category in the near future, and so be listed in the official register of protected areas; this would provide for the enforcement of national laws that protect sea turtles and their habitats at this important nesting beach. STC Scientific Director, Dr Emma Harrison, and the RC met with personnel from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in July 2011; STRI is also interested in supporting efforts to have Bluff Beach declared a protected area and so it was discussed how best to approach the relevant authorities to initiate the application process. STC and the community of Bluff Beach are interested in working together to develop a sustainable ecotourism initiative at this site, that will provide an alternative economy for the local community and hopefully raise funds to support sea turtle conservation and protection measures in Bocas del Toro. Until recently the monitoring and conservation efforts at Bluff Beach Figure 4. The Bluff Beach turtle project were being conducted on a purely center and an information sign for tourists about sea turtles volunteer basis, but it is hoped in the future that revenue from eco-tourism ventures at the site will provide sufficient funds to contract seasonal beach monitors. During the 2011 nesting season there was collaboration between the beach monitors and hotel owners at Bluff Beach, to conduct turtle tours; they called the hotels to advise them when turtles were encountered on the beach during patrols, and explained to tourists about the nesting process and the work they were doing. More than 100 people participated in these tours and they were invited to make a voluntary contribution to support the turtle program; the funds collected were managed by ANABOCA and used to consolidate the organization in the community and provide an economic incentive to the beach monitors. STC plans to build upon this spirit of cooperation that has been established between interested stakeholder groups at the nesting beach and develop a more organized turtle tour program, that will incorporate other key actors, such as hotel owners in Bocas del Toro town, tour agencies and taxi companies. STC collaborated with project partner Solimar International to provide technical advice for the design of information signs for tourists as part of an outreach campaign for the MAREA Program. The signs, an example of which is shown in Figure 4, were placed at strategic locations at entrances to Bluff Beach, and provided visitors with guidelines on how to interact with a nesting sea turtle, or hatchlings, if encountered on the beach.
INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT 7

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

From 25 27 September, 2010, the SD, RC, FA, and three community members from the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, were invited to participate in the 3rd National Exchange of Experiences between Sea Turtle Managers organized by ANAM, and sponsored by the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC); Arcelio Gonzalez (Long Beach), Huascar Miller (Sixaola Beach and the Zapatilla Cays) and Ruben Santos (Soropta Beach). The objective of the workshop was to allow community members (predominantly from indigenous communities throughout Panama) to share their experiences of sea turtle conservation and monitoring, with presentations and technical advice provided by invited international sea turtle biologists. Each of the workshop participants had the opportunity to speak about their personal experiences with sea turtles, and how they had become involved in their local monitoring or conservation project. During the workshop participants also had the opportunity to take part in a night tour at a nearby olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting beach and provide feedback to the local community association about their tourist activities. For the past five years, at least one indigenous community member working for STC at Chiriqu Beach has attended the annual International Symposium on Sea Turtle Figure 5. Silverio Juarez Research and Conservation. Silverio Juarez, a st participates in the 31 International beach monitor from the community of Ro Sea Turtle Symposium Chiriqu who has worked on the turtle project for several years, participated in the 2011 symposium, which was held in San Diego, California, from 10 16 April (See Figure 5). In addition to the main symposium events, Mr Juarez also took part in the Meeting of Latin American Sea Turtle Experts (Reunin de Especialistas sobre Tortugas Marinas en Latinoamrica - RETOMALA), during which various themes relevant to sea turtle conservation and monitoring in the region were discussed.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

In addition to the training provided by the RC prior their participation in STC sea turtle monitoring and conservation programs in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, several coastal community members also received supplementary training in 2011.
8 INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

STC has been running a longterm sea turtle conservation and monitoring program at Tortuguero, Costa Rica for over 50 years. A key component of this program is the Research Assistant Program, which provides young biologists and resource managers, with a focus on recruitment from Latin America and the Caribbean, with the opportunity to gain intensive practical experience in sea turtle monitoring and conservation techniques.

Two beach monitors from Bluff Beach and Soropta (another sea turtle nesting site in Bocas del Toro Province that has a monitoring program run by the Endangered Wildlife Trust EWT), participated as Research Assistants for the 2011 Green Turtle Program at Tortuguero for one month; Aneldo Martn Santos from 13 June 15 July, and Abelardo Beker Baker from 4 September 5 October. During their time in Tortuguero they gained considerable field experience working with nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas), saw firsthand the established eco-tourism system and also helped conduct environmental education activities in the community. On his return to Bluff Beach, Aneldo held a meeting with members of the community conservation group ANABOCA, to share his experiences and highlight activities that might be applicable to Bluff Beach, specifically relating to eco-tourism (See Figure 6). As part of its activities for year one of the MAREA Program, STC ran a training workshop at Tortuguero in September 2011; the 4-day course was designed to build capacity in sea turtle conservation throughout Central America by providing people working at sea turtle nesting beaches in the region with training in standard monitoring and conservation techniques.

Figure 6. Aneldo Martn Santos shares his experiences from Tortuguero with community members at Bluff Beach

Figure 7. Alfred Martn Santos, from Bluff Beach, practices nest relocation during the Tortuguero training workshop

INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

Several members of coastal communities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province participated in the workshop, including Alfred Martn Santos from Bluff Beach, Genaro Castillo from Ro Caa and Evelin Rivas Novoa from San San. Workshop participants had an intensive program of theoretical lectures, practical training sessions (See Figure 7), and supervised beach patrols during which they had an opportunity to work with nesting turtles. There were also additional discussion sessions about environmental education and outreach, tourism and volunteer programs.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT IN THE COMARCA NGBE-BUGL AND BOCAS DEL TORO PROVINCE
Since the start of the sea turtle conservation and monitoring program at Chiriqu Beach, STC has worked closely with leaders of the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl to ensure that there has been local awareness and support for the project. This support was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed in 2006 by representatives of the Comarca, STC and project partners, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). This MoU validates the work of STC within the Comarca, and also ensures that project findings are shared on a regular basis with Comarca leaders, thus providing a feedback mechanism through which any questions about the project can be raised. Further to this end, STC staff are also in regular communication with the local conservation NGO, Association for the Protection of Ngbe-Bugl Natural Resources (APRORENANB), indeed this organization was one of the first to realize the plight of sea turtles at Chiriqu Beach and to initiate conservation efforts to protect them. The majority of beach monitors currently employed by STC are members of this organization, and so have a vested stake in their local resources. Conservation management decisions related to the project have also been made in consultation with local community leaders where appropriate; for example, the wife of a known poacher was contracted to work on the project after discussing the situation with members of the community. There was consensus that she should be given the opportunity, on the proviso, obviously, that her husband had to desist from taking eggs, as she would be receiving a direct economic benefit from the conservation project. More recently, community opinion has been sought to find a solution to the problem of predation of turtle nests by domestic dogs; suggestions proposed by STC staff (such as a veterinary clinic to spay/neuter dogs to reduce the population) were not acceptable to the local communities, and so STC has asked Comarca leaders to suggest viable alternatives to the problem that will have local support. Such discussions are only possible due to the efforts of STC staff in maintaining open communication with local community leaders, and gaining their respect and trust, and by respecting the manner in which the semi-autonomous indigenous Comarca is governed.
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Future activities proposed by STC as part of the MAREA Program will require active participation by community members and Comarca leaders with respect to management decisions pertaining to local natural resources. The development of a draft sea turtle conservation management plan for Chiriqu Beach and other key nesting sites in the Comarca will incorporate local opinions on sea turtles, and provide a forum by which different management strategies can be discussed. The sustained efforts of the STC environmental education and outreach initiatives, supported by the MAREA Program, have been instrumental in raising awareness within the Comarca and Bocas del Toro Province of the need to consider the impacts on sea turtles, other endangered species or vulnerable coastal habitats when assessing development proposals for the region. While tourism development is desired by communities in the Comarca, there is also an increasing understanding of the potential negative impacts that large-scale unsustainable development projects could bring, not only to the native flora and fauna, but also to the indigenous culture and way of life of the local people. STC has been fully supportive of endeavors by Comarca leaders to take an active role in guiding any management decisions that affect coastal areas, and in particular sea turtles and their key habitats; offering technical advice when requested. In Bocas del Toro Province, STC has also been involved in consultation with indigenous community members, local government officials, conservation organizations and business owners at Bluff Beach, during the establishment of sea turtle conservation and monitoring activities at this important nesting site. It has been important for STC that there has been consensus from different stakeholder groups, and adequate opportunity for local opinion to be expressed during the on-going process. Continued dialogue with key actors at this site is critical for the future development of ecotourism activities, which could benefit the local community by providing alternative income opportunities, and also generate a sustainable source of funding for turtle conservation efforts.

TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

One of the principal aims of the MAREA Program is to provide coastal communities with viable economic alternatives, to reduce the need to continue to use vulnerable marine resources in an unsustainable manner, such as the fishing of sea turtles, or the collection of turtle eggs. STC has considerable experience in the development of tourism activities related to sea turtles, from more than 50 years working at Tortuguero. STC has been actively involved in helping to shift local attitudes towards sustainable tourism, away from the historical consumption of sea turtles and their eggs. STC hopes to use the experiences from Tortuguero to help develop similar tourism programs in Bocas del Toro; an area that is a popular tourist destination but that offers no organized turtle-related tours. The area is subject to continuing development;
INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT 11

putting added pressure on fragile coastal habitats and endangered species such as sea turtles, and so there is a genuine immediate need to properly manage tourist activities, to ensure that any potential negative impacts are minimized. One of the objectives of STC is to develop a system by which tourists can provide financial support for sea turtle conservation initiatives and protection efforts in Bocas del Toro, similar to the funding mechanism that supports the Turtle Spotter Program (TSP) in Tortuguero. The sale of informative brochures and stickers to tourists covers the expenses of the TSP, the system by which tours are coordinated on the nesting beach. Bluff Beach was selected as a potential study site to develop sea turtle ecotourism activities in Bocas del Toro Province for several reason; firstly, it is relatively accessible from Bocas town, as it does not involve a boat journey, but can be reached by road within 30 minutes. Also, there is a small indigenous community living close to the beach; they have shown interest in protecting their natural resources, including sea turtles, with the creation of the community association ANABOCA, and in 2011 local residents were involved in sea turtle monitoring and conservation activities under the supervision of STC staff. They are also keen to develop small-scale sustainable tourism projects, with the goal of directly benefitting community members. STC has also held meetings with other interested stakeholders including officials from the municipality of Bocas del Toro, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and Bocas Alliance (Alianza Bocas) to discuss a possible management plan for Bluff Beach; with the specific goal of having the area recognized on the official list of protected areas of ANAM. The lack of a dedicated member of staff who could work on building relationships with local businesses meant that little progress was made in developing privatepublic partnerships. However, as detailed in the Progress Report on Private Partnerships to Support Sea Turtle Tourism Activities in Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011b), STC has focused its efforts during 2010-2011 on identifying key figures in the Bluff Beach community to train to be beach monitors. The first steps towards approaching local businesses in Bocas del Toro for financial support to improve sea turtle protection efforts were taken during a workshop entitled Regional Workshop: Tourism and Sea Turtle Conservation organized by Solimar International, project partners in the MAREA Program. The RC and her assistant Tatiana Rojas participated in this activity, held on 6-7 April, 2011, during which ideas and options for the development of sea turtle tourism activities were discussed with representatives from NGOs (STC, WIDECAST and local NGO AAMVECONA), the Bocas Sustainable Tourism Alliance (BSTA),

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INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

a local organization that was developed as part of a previous USAID project in Bocas del Toro and Bocas Alliance (Alianza Bocas), as well as local residents. The SD and RC were also invited to participate in a meeting of the BSTA in July, 2011 (See Figure 8). The meeting provided STC with an opportunity to talk about the potential for the development of sea turtle tourism in Bocas del Toro, and the role that local businesses can play in helping to ensure that tourist activities are developed to be sustainable, and also how partnerships with key local actors could provide support for sea turtle conservation and protection initiatives. The BSTA suggested that STC staff give a presentation at a future meeting to provide more details about these proposed projects. On 24 August the RC was also invited to participate in a meeting of the Bocas del Toro Initiative for Culture and the Environment (Iniciativa Bocatorea para la Cultura y el Ambiente INBOCA). This new initiative of Fundacion NATURA aims to seek funding to support projects in the Bocas del Toro region, specifically community projects or those dedicated to protecting the cultural heritage and natural resources of the area. STC participated in the meeting, with the Figure 8. STC staff participated in a meeting of the BSTA in July 2011 goal of developing links with INBOCA, a potential funding source for sea turtle programs in Bocas del Toro. During this meeting the RC held an informal meeting with Mr Arcadio Aguilar, the representative of the Comarca Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo Comarcal), during which they spoke about plans for tourism within the Comarca and proposed a visit to Ro Caa to hold a public meeting for communities throughout the Comarca to discuss public opinion on tourism options. During the course of this project, STC has also utilized its popular on-line sea turtle migration tracking and education program, the Tour de Turtles, to form partnerships with private companies, which generated direct financial support for sea turtle conservation and educational activities in Panama. For the 2011 Tour de Turtles, STC recruited financial sponsorships amounting to more than $15,000 from several businesses for use in program activities in Bocas del Toro. It is hoped that the Tour de Turtles event can be further developed in 2012 to generate more funds to support conservation, protection and education activities in the region.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Details of the environmental education and outreach activities conducted from 1 September, 2010 1 April, 2011 are detailed in the Progress Report on Environmental Education and Outreach Activities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011c). The following, therefore, is a summary of activities conducted from 1 April 30 September, 2011; where possible the number of people involved in the activity is documented. A total of 11 environmental education and outreach activities were conducted in 2010 and 2011, reaching more than 200 people, primarily students. On 27 April, 2011, STC staff and Margarita Roa (staff member with EWT), gave a talk to 26 students from the National University of Panama (Universidad Nacional de Panam - UNP), and 12 students from the Bet-el high school (See Figure 9). This was an activity which is organized each year by STC and STRI. During the presentation they spoke about the Figure 9. Students talk to STC staff during importance of different key habitats an education event organized by STC for various life stages of sea turtles and STRI in April 2011 in Bocas del Toro Province and the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl. They talked to the students about the different sea turtle projects being undertaken in the region, to emphasize the importance of the areas natural resources and the need to protect them. From 1 3 July, 2011 STC staff participated in the annual Environmental Fair organized by STRI. During this event they presented posters with information about STCs sea turtle projects to students and the general public. It was estimated that more than 100 people came to the stand, to read the posters and ask questions about sea turtles. For the younger children there were painting sessions, and various games related to sea turtles. The RC also gave a talk entitled Sea Turtle Conservation in Bocas del Toro; the future is in our hands; this was attended by 15 children and adults, including a group of students and teachers from the Panama Maritime University (Universidad Martima de Panama), who expressed interest in the sea turtle monitoring and conservation activities being conducted by STC. Eight students from the UNP participated in program activities from 2 10 July, 2011 to gain first-hand experience about sea turtle monitoring and conservation
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efforts. They visited Soropta Beach and Chiriqu Beach and took part in track surveys and night time beach patrols. During their visit Celio Morales (beach monitor at Chiriqu Beach) and the RC gave a short training session to explain the different activities. The students expressed an interest in receiving more indepth training with the aim of establishing a similar research and monitoring program in their province. From 14 18 September STC participated with an information stand at the International Festival of the Sea (Feria Internacional del Mar); posters about the work of the organization in the Comarca and Bocas del Toro province were on display and the RC was on hand to answer questions. During this event the RC also had an opportunity to speak informally with the Director of the Technological University of Panama (Universidad Tecnolgica de Panam) and a professor from their Changuinola campus to discuss the possibility of having student groups participate in conservation and monitoring activities in 2012. U On 20 September, 2011, Canal Telemetro, a national television channel in Panama, visited Ro Caa to interview local students and residents about the fact that the community is renowned for showing concern about the natural resources in the area, and for being actively involved in a sea turtle conservation project. The FA was interviewed for the program, and spoke about the importance of conserving critically endangered sea turtles, and the key role that local community members play in the protecting their natural resources.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSIONS
1. The continued involvement of local people from coastal communities in program activities is vital to ensure the continued success of STCs work in Bocas del Toro. STC remains committed to building local capacity in the region, and raising awareness about the global importance of the area for several endangered sea turtle species. 2. The successful establishment of partnerships to raise money for sea turtle conservation and protection efforts through tourism has been restricted by the lack of a dedicated staff member to liaise with local businesses. 3. Bluff Beach has been identified as a potential site for the future development of sea turtle tourism activities in the Bocas del Toro Province for a couple of key reasons; 1) its relative ease of accessibility from Bocas town and 2) the keen interest demonstrated by members of the small indigenous community close to the nesting beach in protecting their natural resources, and developing small-scale tourism projects that would benefit the community.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. STC will continue to work with indigenous communities within the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, to actively involve interested community members in sea turtle programs in the region. The objective is to foster a conservation ethic among local people to ensure the long-term survival, not only of sea turtle populations but also other endangered natural resources. 2. Ensure active participation of indigenous community members and Comarca leaders in the development of draft sea turtle conservation management plans, and eco-tourism activities in the region. 3. It is important to contract an additional STC staff member to focus on building alliances to create public-private partnerships that can support sea turtle tourism activities. 4. Work with local tourism operators and stakeholder groups to develop a sustainable eco-tourism model for Bluff Beach, and devise a funding mechanism to support sea turtle conservation and protection efforts in the region. 5. Expand the Tour de Turtles program as a strategy for developing publicprivate partnerships that will provide additional funding for sea turtle conservation initiatives. 6. Environmental education and outreach are key to the success of any conservation program, and STC will continue to develop an educational program for students in coastal communities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, to raise awareness, particularly among the younger generation, about threats to sea turtles, their habitats and other endangered species in the region. 7. Training and capacity building programs should be developed, to provide information to officials from government enforcement agencies responsible for enforcing national and international laws pertaining to sea turtles. 8. Working with project partners such as Solimar International, and using products developed for the MAREA Program STC aims to build capacity in the area, not only in sea turtle research and monitoring techniques, but also to help local communities develop possible ecotourism models that would promote the conservation of threatened sea turtles, and also generate income.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2010. Preliminary Report on Community Participation in Sea Turtle Conservation Programs in Bocas del Toro, Panama . Unpublished
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report submitted to USAID. Pp.23. Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011a. Progress Report on Indigenous Involvement in Sea Turtle Conservation Programs in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama. Unpublished report submitted to USAID. Pp.15. Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011b. Progress Report on Private Partnerships to Support Sea Turtle Tourism Activities in Bocas del Toro Province, Panama. Unpublished report submitted to USAID. Pp.11. Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2011c. Progress Report on Environmental Education and Outreach Activities in the Comarca Ngbe-Bugl and Bocas del Toro Province, Panama. Unpublished report submitted to USAID. Pp.16.

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APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1. LIST OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY FROM 1 SEPTEMBER, 2010 30 SEPTEMBER, 2011.
Employment history Name Position Gender Start date Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Dec 2010 Mar 2011 Mar 2011 Jun 2011 Sep 2010 Ago 2011 End Date To date To date To date To date To date To date To date Dec 2010 Nov 2010 Dec 2010 To date May 2011 To date Nov 2010 To date

Genaro Castillo Maximo Baker Martin Quintero Jesus Maria Tugri Celio Morales Rogelio Serrano Silverio Juarez Ramon Beker Paulino Abrego Ramiro Smith Jose Smith Bartolo Moran Benicio Abrego Mauricio Jose

Field Assistant CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor CB Beach Monitor EdV

Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male

CB = Chiriqu Beach; EdV = Escudo de Veraguas Island; RB = Red Beach

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APPENDIX 1. CONTINUED
Employment history Name Position Gender Start date Sep 2010 Jun 2011 Sep 2010 Jul 2011 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Sep 2010 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Sep 2010 Feb 2011 Ago 2011 End Date Nov 2010 To date Oct 2010 To date Oct 2010 To date To date To date To date To date Nov 2010 Nov 2010 To date To date Nov 2010 Jul 2011 To date

Roberto Bernard

Beach Monitor RB

Male

Francisco Machado Guillermina Santos Dionicio Beker Viviana Morales Fermina Baker Angela Morales Fermina Martinez Betita Abrego Delfina Aguilar Angelica Abrego Celia Abrego Orlando Palacio Cilvio Muoz Edilio Smith

Beach Monitor RB Beach Monitor RB Boat Captain Cook CB Cook CB Cook CB Cook CB Cook CB Cook CB Cook CB Cook CB Guard CB Guard CB Guard CB

Male Female Male Female Female Female Female Female Female Female Female Male Male Male

CB = Chiriqu Beach; EdV = Escudo de Veraguas Island; RB = Red Beach

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APPENDIX 2. LIST OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO REGULARLY PARTICIPATE IN MONITORING ACTIVITIES AT CHIRIQU BEACH.
Name Salvador Baker Bruno Grenald Pancho Quintero Alexis Baker Cornelio Muoz Wilfredo Baker Miguel Abrego Ramiro Smith Gender Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Community Ro Caa Ro Caa Ro Caa Ro Caa Ro Caa Ro Caa Middle Beach Middle Beach

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INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT

APPENDIX 3. LIST OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN SEA TURTLE MONITORING ACTIVITIES AT BLUFF BEACH, 15 FEBRUARY 30 SEPTEMBER, 2011.
Participation in monitoring activities Name Position Gender Start date Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 Feb 2011 End Date To date To date To date To date To date To date To date To date To date

Damian Bejarano Alfred Martn Santos1 Aneldo Martn Santos1 Aron Martin Dianilza Martin Gabriel Martin Emerito Pablo Ruperto Pablo Nivaldo Taylor
1

Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor Beach Monitor

Male Male Male Male Female Male Male Male Male

Participated as a volunteer until July 2011, after which they received a salary

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APPENDIX 4. LIST OF STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PANAMA WHO PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FROM 2 11 JULY, 2011.
Name Daysi Ayarza Margarita vila Karina Cano Yina Carter Kenia Castaeda Patricia Collymore Ana Raquel Lewis Catherine Ruiz Gender Female Female Female Female Female Female Female Female

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INDIGENOUS INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FINAL REPORT