Thursday, September 30, 2010

Spotlight on Biodiversity

From the AAAS Science Roundup:
In October 2010, scientists, nongovernmental organizations, and politicians will meet at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to assess the current condition of global biodiversity and to agree on priorities for its future conservation. In the 10 Sep 2010 Science, a Review article and special News Focus section discussed the issues at stake. Rands et al. reviewed recent patterns of biodiversity conservation, highlighting successes, as well as current and future threats. They argue that biodiversity should be treated as a public good -- with responsibility for its conservation integrated across sectors of society and government -- rather than be confined to the business of environmental agencies. 
We agree, which is why we work with local landowners and businesses, municipal governments, and other NGOs, to restore and protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat in Nicaragua.

Friday, September 17, 2010

International Coastal Cleanup


Paso Pacifico is reaching out to communities across Nicaragua to celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup on September 25th. This year's event is promising to be the largest ever in Nicaragua with approximately 364,000 meters of beaches and riverways across 168 registered sites. Along five world famous surfing beaches in the Rivas province, professional Nicaraguan surfers will be leading groups of volunteers. Many private sector sponsors have joined with Paso Pacifico, MARENA, and COSUDE to support the event. These include the Nicaraguan Recyclers Association, Swiss Cooperation, CLARO, and the Fuente Pura. We are expecting thousands of volunteers to turn out and to play a improving Nicaragua's unique and precious.

Join us in Nicaragua or visit the Ocean Conservancy website to clean-up a beach near you!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Arribada en playa La Flor

De nuestros amigos de Parque Maritimo el Coco:
Nos es grato informarles que la madrugada del miercoles 1ro de Septiembre del 2010 inicio la primera arribada masiva de tortugas marinas de la variedad Paslama en playa La Flor. Por ser la primera arribada esperada desde el mes de Julio se estima que sera de entre 3,000 a 7,000 tortugas en un periodo de 4 a 5 noches.  
Las tortugas solamente salen por la noche cuando la temperatura de la arena es baja. Ellas caminan sobre la arena unos 30 a 40 metros e inician a cavar un hoyo donde después depositaran sus huevos. Una vez puesto los huevos, entre 90 a 100, cierran el hoyo o nido y lo apelmazan, luego regresan al mar. Todo el proceso dura aproximadamente 1 hora. No se permite el uso de luz blanca de ningun tipo de intensidad porque esto perturba a las tortugas. Solamente se permite luz roja y de ser posible solo una luz por grupo. La tortuga no debe ser tocada desde que sale de la playa hasta que inicia a depositar sus huevos. Cuando esta depositando puede ser tocada pero una persona a la ves y con aprobación de personal del MARENA que administra el refugio. Tampoco hay que colocarse frente a la tortuga en ningun momento del proceso, ya sea cuando sale del agua, pone los huevos o regresa al agua. Esto perturba a la tortuga y puede que no ponga los huevos o se pierda en su camino de regreso. 
Los huevos eclosionan entre 45 a 55 días después de ser puestos. Las tortugas pequeñas salen por la fuerza de la arena y se dirigen al mar inmediatamente. 
Esperamos puedan visitarnos en estos días ya que la arribada posiblemente termine entre el sabado y domingo por la noche.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Spill Science

New from Science:
The Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico is the largest offshore oil spill in history. Both the depth and magnitude of the event pose challenges to assessing the biological effects and the expected fate of the spilled oil. The first peer-reviewed studies of the spill -- published online, ahead-of-print in Science Express this month -- now offer some details about the scope of the subsurface oil plume and its impact on marine microbes.
Their digest of the oil spill situation is here: www.sciencemag.org//hottopics/oilspill/