Migramar Staff
 Randall ArauzGoldman Environmental Prize Winner 2010 |
PRETOMA is a Costa Rican non-profit NGO founded in 1997. We are a marine conservation and research organization working to protect ocean resources and promote sustainable fisheries policies in Costa Rica and Central America.
Costa Rica has an image as a conservationist country. Indeed there are many positive laws and regulations on paper in Costa Rica. However, marine conservation is very far behind land conservation here, and furthermore, many of the positive laws and regulations that do exist go unenforced.
As a result, we direct our efforts in the following categories:
• Direct in the field conservation projects
• Research and outreach onboard commercial fishing vessels
• Public awareness and education
• Litigation and policy advocacy
Short History
PRETOMA began its first conservation efforts in 1997 at a small beach in Punta Banco, Costa Rica. These initial projects were first made possible through funding from organizations such as the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and the Sea Turtle Restoration Project. Since these grants were inconsistent and hard to come by, PRETOMA initiated the PRETOMA Participant Program (PPP) in 2002.
The PPP integrated volunteers into the program whose fees helped fund continuing efforts and also allowed PRETOMA to launch new conservation efforts in San Miguel, Playa Caletas, Costa de Oro, and Ario in Costa Rica. The PPP has also funded the creation of the Playa Caletas Ario National Wildlife Refuge.
The PRETOMA Participant Program has been a huge success in that it has funded expansive projects and has vastly improved sea turtle monitoring. It also granted the opportunity for people from around the world to take place in sea turtle conservation and assist in these efforts.
Approach to conservation
PRETOMA has approached conservation challenges in a variety of ways. The first and sometimes most effective initial efforts that have been taken are biologist and conversationalists entering communities located near nesting beaches. Volunteers work to educate students on the importance of the persistence of the sea turtle and encouraging community members to partake in projects while still respecting their cultural practices such as the consumption of turtle meat and eggs.
PRETOMA also works alongside the fishing industry to promote responsible fishing techniques. Introducing technologies such as turtle excluder devices, has huge effects on adolescent survival rates.
PRETOMA is also evaluating the impact of the Pelagic Longline Fishery on sea turtles and sharks. Furthermore, PRETOMA is introducing technology to facilitate the release of marine organisms captured with hooks, thus mitigating the impact of longline fishing. In addition to this, promoting the PPP program and encouraging volunteers to assist in conversavtion efforts has allowed for continuing research and dedication from individuals from around the world.
Visit PRETOMA’s website at: www.pretoma.org.
