Some 1,000 experts from 70 countries met from 22-29 February 2004 in San Jose, Costa Rica at an annual symposium to discuss the current state of research and conservation activities related to sea turtles.

This year’s theme was focused on “Sea Turtle Lifescapes” – the role sea turtles fill in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as in greater biodiversity landscapes. Many participants highlighted the decline of the Leatherback turtle in the Pacific Ocean, which has seen its numbers fall from about 115,000 reproductive females in 1982 to fewer than 3,000 today, a decline of 97%. In addition to the Leatherback, the Kemp’s Ridley and Hawksbill turtles are classified by the IUCN Red List as critically endangered, and the Green, Olive Ridley and Loggerhead turtles are classified under the same list as endangered.
Scientists and conservationists at the conference highlighted several international success stories demonstrating that well planned conservation efforts can halt and reverse the decline of sea turtles, but not unless their nesting beaches are protected from uncontrolled beachfront development and egg poaching. More information on this meeting is available at: http://www.seaturtle.org/symposium/