Ocean Sentry
Turtle populations are steadily being decimated, despite conservation efforts to protect them.
Recently, Panama’s Marine Resources Authority (ARAP) seized a fisherman in possesion of turtle flippers in Coquira port in Chepo. The rest of the body of the turtle was nowhere to be found.
Flippers are in high demand on the open market where they are usually destined for human consumption.
But turtles are already threatened by natural predators, climate change, environmental degradation, unregulated tourism and the collection of their eggs. Now, the increase in hunting is threatening their very existence.
Five of the seven species of marine turtle still exist in Panama, including the carey turtle which is on the endangered species list…. Read Full Article
