© Doug Perrine/Seapics.org

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress passed a resolution calling on the world’s nations, especially Costa Rica and Ecuador whose sovereign waters encompass a significant sea turtle migration route between nesting beachesand feeding areas, to better shield the critically endangered Pacific Leatherback from death and injuries caused by fishing activites.

More than 8,000 scientists, government officials and environmental organizations from over 250 nations overwhelming supported the resolution, which calls for a “dynamic Leatherback Conservation Zone” along the migratory route of this species.  After nesting in Costa Rica, Pacific leatherbacks swim out toward the Galapagos Island during its annual migration between feeding and nesting areas.

Click here to see a copy of the resolution