Our 2009-2010 project in Playa Caletas is from July 1st 2009 to February 28th, 2010

Playa Caletas is an isolated beach on the north-central Pacific coast of Costa Rica . PRETOMA researchers have monitored sea turtle activity at this site since 2001.

Playa Caletas is a principally an olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) sea turtle nesting beach, but also hosts an important number of one of the world’s most endangered species of sea turtle, the Eastern Pacific Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) . Olive ridley nesting peaks in September and October, while leatherback nesting peaks in December and January. The beach also receives occasional visits from nesting Pacific green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles.

Given the importance of Playa Caletas as a sea turtle nesting habitat and the unique mangrove and wetland habitat in the vicinity, PRETOMA began spearheading efforts in 2003 to provide permanent protection for the region through the creation of a national wildlife refuge. After more than three years of hard work, in August of 2006 the Costa Rican government officially declared the Playa Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge (CANWR). CANWR includes a total of 313.3 terrestrial hectares and a 19,846 hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) extending 12 miles off shore, where destructive fisheries such as shrimp trawling and compressor diving are prohibited.

Since the project was initiated in 2001 more than 100,000 hatchlings have been protected and released to the sea, and predation rates have dropped from 90% to 20%. PRETOMA’s most recent nesting beach report can be downloaded from the BEACH PROTECTION section of our website.

Project Site

Playa Caletas is an uninhabited beach and project personnel are usually the only people on the beach. The closest town is San Francisco de Coyote, approximately 7 km to the northeast. Playa Caletas is actually made up of both the beaches Playa Caletas and Playa Pencal, which together form a five kilometer stretch of dark sand beach that lies between Punta Coyote, a natural outcropping of rocks to the north, and the River Bongo to the south.

A large mangrove swamp exists around the mouth of the River Bongo and extensive wetlands exist in the northern sector behind the camp. The mangrove swamp and wetlands have been deteriorated over the years but continue to host an abundance of wildlife. Many species of birds, reptiles and small mammals inhabit these areas. Coyotes, skunks and raccoons are a few of the animals that have been reported to frequent the beach in search of turtle eggs and other food. Crocodiles inhabit the wetlands and estuary zones and have also been seen feeding in the mouth of the River Bongo and basking on the beach during the dry season.

Two RESEARCH COORDINATORS , who are either advanced students or recent graduates in biology or a related field, coordinate all project activities.  RESEARCH ASSISTANTS, who are selected from all over the world, provide additional personnel to ensure the success of the projects.

Project activities are run out of a “Robinson Crusoe” base camp constructed of logs and tarps and living conditions are extremely rustic.  Our NEW CAMP for the 2009 season consists of a large rancho structure with kitchen and living area on sand floors, three communal A-frame shelters with beds, as well as a solar panel, outhouse, well, and project hatchery.

Day in the Life

Turtles lay their nests on the beach after dark, and thus much of the project work is done during 3-6 hour shifts at night. Project staff pair up and walk the 5km stretch of beach searching for nesting turtles. When a turtle is found, it is tagged, measured, and the newly laid eggs are either transferred to a nearby hatchery or marked and left in situ . In either case the eggs are reburied and monitored until they hatch, then are excavated to determine hatching success rates. Hatchlings are immediately released to the sea upon hatching. Daily early morning walks are also undertaken to count turtle tracks and check the status of in situ nests

Aside from working with turtles, project personnel in partake in food administration and cooking duties, as well as camp/hatchery upkeep and construction, which can include carrying heavy logs, shoveling sand, plant control and other strenuous physical activities.

ARTICLE ON THE PLAYA CALETAS PROJECT (2003)

Diet

Food in Costa Rica is simple and access to a large variety of items is extremely difficult in Playa Caletas. Additionally, there is no refrigeration at the site, thus meat, ice and other items that require refrigeration are almost non-existent. Food is brought into camp on a monthly basis and is administered and prepared by project staff. Food/meals include rice & beans, pastas, lentils, canned goods, pancakes, cereals, tortillas, etc. Additionally, a limited amount of fresh vegetables and fruit are picked up from Restaurant Caletas, a 45 minute walk from camp, on a weekly basis.

Climate

Between July and November it rains a lot at Playa Caletas, while from December to March there is almost no rain at all. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-70’s when overcast to 100’s when the sun is out. The weather can change very rapidly. Rain storms can pop up out of nowhere and disappear as suddenly as they arrived. Humidity can be very high and cotton clothes should be avoided because they dry slowly.

Communication

A public pay phone and limited internet service is available in San Francisco de Coyote, a two hour (7 km) walk from camp. There is a cellular phone in Playa Caletas which is only used for local calls associated with the project and in the case of an emergency. There is also a health clinic in the town of San Francisco de Coyote, bt it is only open two days a week. There is a hospital with ambulance service in Nandayure, a two hour drive from Playa Caletas. Program staff are advised to bring a well stocked first-aid kit and may want to consider arranging traveler’s insurance for their time with the project.

To be a part of the Playa Caletas project it is necessary to apply for a RESEARCH COORDINATOR or RESEARCH ASSISTANT position. For more information please contact Jeff Kutz at jkutz@pretoma.org