Tortugueros vs Ecoactivists: Consumption of Sea Turtle Eggs in Costa Rica

On the 1st of June, 2013, Jairo Mora Sandoval was ambushed and murdered by people trafficking the eggs of endangered sea turtles in the Limon province (on the Caribbean coast) because he was guarding nest sites. [Full news article here] Since then, the Costa Rican media has lit up with debates about ecoactivism and the prioritization of protecting wildlife. So, why are sea turtle eggs worth murdering for in Costa Rica?

Originally, the Africans imported as slaves from Jamaica to the Caribbean coast ate turtles and turtle eggs (typically with coconut oil) as a traditional dish. One of my professors lived in Limon as a child and said that his grandmother would frequently serve him such dishes, and that he'd be lying if he said it wasn't tasty. In addition to the traditional consumption, there is also its use as a home remedy (very popular in Costa Rica, since you have to wait months or even years for certain medical treatments) as an aphrodisiac for increased sexual appetite and performance. The cultural importance of an aphrodisiac, even from an endangered animal, is not that unusual; in East Asia people frequently deal crushed rhino horn for such use.

Since there is that market, there are always people willing to cater to it. There are people (also usually involved in drug dealing, for whatever reason) called "tortugueros" who go to the beaches at night to dig out the sea turtle nests and remove the eggs. Each egg gets about $1 American/500 colones for the tortuguero, and sells to a normal person for at least $2.50. At this rate, tortugueros can make about $80 per night.

Naturally, just because it is cultural or traditional does not mean it's ok, and of course the government understands that (tampering with nests and consumption of endangered turtle eggs is illegal). Some people here take the perspective that problems like this are a giant hypocrisy of Costa Rica (as I read in an opinion piece in La Nacion on June 7th). Others understand the cultural background but don't partake now because they care more about the environmental ramifications of the egg consumption (like my professor). Still others are just trying to make money. All in all, it's a really interesting mix of perspectives and priorities that is something every country has to face when it decides how to protect its natural resources.