Costa Rica softens shark-protection stance

October 2015

Region

Is Amazon in a carbon-emissions feedback loop?

In 2005, what was referred to as a once-in-a-century drought struck nearly two million square kilometers (772,000 sq miles) of the Amazon, drying up rivers ......

Mexico

Some rare good news about a very rare porpoise

As the population of the diminutive Mexican porpoise called the vaquita has plunged over the past few years, scientists have grown increasingly gloomy about the ......

Costa Rica

Costa Rica softens shark-protection stance

In a major shift in its shark-conservation policies, the Costa Rican government has decided it will not support the designation of additional shark species for ......

Brazil

Some praise, others pan, Brazil’s carbon plan

Many environmentalists are commending Brazil for the carbon-reduction plan it has released in advance of the upcoming U.N. climate summit, which is scheduled to begin ......

Bolivia

Uneasy balance for Bolivia on climate stage

Despite tension with local environmental groups over its oil, mining and agricultural policies, Bolivia this month hosted dozens of foreign environmental and social groups at ......

Around the Region

Canal project is on hold due to impact and feasibility concerns

Questions regarding the feasibility and environmental impacts of Nicaragua’s planned US$50 billion trans-isthmus canal have delayed construction on the project until March. The decision to ......

Centerpiece (Free Read)

Guatemalan palm-oil gains come at a price

On June 6, fisherman and farmers along Guatemala’s La Pasión River woke to a putrid smell in the air. The usually olive green river had ......

Q&A

Expert urges economic incentive to protect crocodilians

Australian Grahame Webb began studying crocodilians in the 1970s and now chairs the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Crocodile Specialist Group. Over the ......

Costa Rica softens shark-protection stance

Costa Rica

In a major shift in its shark-conservation policies, the Costa Rican government has decided it will not support the designation of additional shark species for international protection. Officials say the new policy will ensure local fishermen have jobs, but environmental groups warn the decision will leave sharks vulnerable and effectively end Costa Rica’s world leadership in expanding shark conservation. Marine conservation groups released details of the new policy on Oct. 5, publishing a letter they received from Presidency Minister Sergio Alfaro. The letter listed a series of agreements the government reached with the fishing sector behind closed doors on Sept. 2 and had not formally announced. It stated the government will no longer “propose or support” the inclusion of additional shark species of commercial... [Log in to read more]

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October 2015

Region

Is Amazon in a carbon-emissions feedback loop?

In 2005, what was referred to as a once-in-a-century drought struck nearly two million square kilometers (772,000 sq miles) of the Amazon, drying up rivers ......

Mexico

Some rare good news about a very rare porpoise

As the population of the diminutive Mexican porpoise called the vaquita has plunged over the past few years, scientists have grown increasingly gloomy about the ......

Costa Rica

Costa Rica softens shark-protection stance

In a major shift in its shark-conservation policies, the Costa Rican government has decided it will not support the designation of additional shark species for ......

Brazil

Some praise, others pan, Brazil’s carbon plan

Many environmentalists are commending Brazil for the carbon-reduction plan it has released in advance of the upcoming U.N. climate summit, which is scheduled to begin ......

Bolivia

Uneasy balance for Bolivia on climate stage

Despite tension with local environmental groups over its oil, mining and agricultural policies, Bolivia this month hosted dozens of foreign environmental and social groups at ......

Around the Region

Canal project is on hold due to impact and feasibility concerns

Questions regarding the feasibility and environmental impacts of Nicaragua’s planned US$50 billion trans-isthmus canal have delayed construction on the project until March. The decision to ......

Centerpiece (Free Read)

Guatemalan palm-oil gains come at a price

On June 6, fisherman and farmers along Guatemala’s La Pasión River woke to a putrid smell in the air. The usually olive green river had ......

Q&A

Expert urges economic incentive to protect crocodilians

Australian Grahame Webb began studying crocodilians in the 1970s and now chairs the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Crocodile Specialist Group. Over the ......