Tales from an ARCAE research student
It has been an amazing adventure working with ARCAE this summer! For a day on the job, I headed out on the 5am bus from the small town of Punta Banco, on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, right across from the tip of the Osa Peninsula, at the mouth of the Golfo Dulce. … Read more
Tuna Farm Aquaculture Project Stopped
On Monday November 7, 2011 Costa Rica’s Environmental Secretariat (SETENA), via official document 2723-2011, stated it would no longer consider Granjas Atuneras de Golfito SA’s petition to construct a yellow fin tuna aquaculture project, or tuna farm, at the mouth of the Golfo Dulce. SETENA’s decision permanently closes the case on Granjas Atuneras’ (the company … Read more
You self righteous jackass. You’re pathetic.
A while back I posted some “hate mail” I received regarding the proposed destruction of Leatherback Sea Turtle National Park here in Costa Rica. Because doing that was so therapeutic, I thought I’d post the following public comments I got from a gentleman who wants to know where he can see whales and play golf down … Read more
World Oceans Day–Costa Rica’s Perspective
June 8, 2011 is World Oceans Day—a time to reflect on what we’re doing to protect the planet’s leading oxygen producer, food producer, climate regulator, and source of everlasting inspiration (that last one’s a personal label I hang on it). So, let me concentrate on just a few facts and happenings here in Costa Rica. … Read more
Artisanal fishers win global conservation competition
Ashoka’s Changemakers, with support from National Geographic and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), announced yesterday that PRETOMA’s Development of economic partnerships between artisanal fisher folk and tourism operators entry was one of the three winners in the Places On The Edge-Saving Coastal And Freshwater Destinations Online competition. The project is developing environmental, economic, and social … Read more
You can help stop the Playa Caletas wetland destruction
The Hotel Casa Caletas, located on the tip of beautiful Coyote Point, Guanacaste, promotes the area’s rich biodiversity in order to fuel its “eco” tourism business. Unfortunately, its owner, Sylvester Fiechtinger, is also the owner of Agropecuaria Caletas S.A., the farming company that for the past 4 years has been destroying the Caletas Arío National … Read more
Major Environmental Award Given to Shark Finning Opponent
Randall Arauz of Costa Rica, Pretoma’s president and founder, was announced as a 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize winner on Earth Day (April, 22) in San Francisco, California. He received the prestigious award for his tireless work to draw international attention to and end the inhumane and environmentally catastrophic shark finning industry in Costa Rica. “Shark … Read more
A fine mess you’ve left us with – the state of the Costa Rican environment (Part 2)
Former Costa Rican president Oscar Arias handed over the reins to Laura Chinchilla. Part 2 of the ”Environmental State of the Country Report” will critique Arias’ decision making related to the management of the country’s natural resources related to: coastal development, dwindling water supplies, the Environmental Secretariat (Setena), and Las Baulas (Leatherback sea turtle) National Park. Coastal … Read more
Leatherback National Park Saved (for now)
Las Baulas Leatherback National Park has been saved for the time being! Costa Rica’s Environmental Commission decided to postpone further discussion of the presidentially sponsored bill 17.383 that would reduce the park to a wildlife refuge and open its leatherback sea turtle nesting buffer zone up to development interests. Responsibility now falls on the shoulders of Costa Rica’s new … Read more
Thousands Protest Against Crucitas Gold Mine
Thousands of angry Costa Ricans swarmed the streets of downtown San José to protest the Constitutional Court’s April 19th approval to re-open a gold “strip mine” in Crucitas near the country’s northern boarder with Nicaragua. The protest began at 10 am on the Court’s front steps but quickly grew to engulf the entire block. Police … Read more
