308
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
12.4 Conclusions .................................................................................................331
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................331
References..............................................................................................................332
12.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter examines contemporary links between human culture(s) and sea turtle
use and conservation. It is based on two central assumptions: (1) the value and role
assigned to turtles as part of nature is culturally situated, and (2) the cultural context
of human relations with sea turtles is critical to the success of conservation schemes.
Key concepts and terms used are discussed in this introduction. Section 12.2 highlights various types and examples of sea turtle use and their cultural significance.
In Section 12.3, the link between culture and conservation policy, and specifically,
two contemporary conservation concepts — sustainable use and community-based
conservation (CBC) — are discussed.
12.1.1 C ULTURE
Williams (1981) describes two main senses of “culture.” Culture is “a distinct ‘whole
way of life’, within which, now, a distinctive ‘signifying system’ is seen not only
as essential but as essentially involved in all forms of social activity.” Culture in this
sense mediates how we understand and make sense of the world around us. The
more common sense of culture is “artistic and intellectual activity” and resulting
products. The two senses converge, in that the former whole way of life incorporates
the central interests and values of a people (Williams, 1981), and these are often
manifested in products of material culture. Thus, sea turtles may be part of a whole
way of life, and this may be reflected in art, crafts, or music.
Culture operates on a number of levels, and these levels interact (Seppälä and
Vainio-Mattila, 1998). Although in Western society “culture” is a broad and encompassing term, subcultures (for example, corporate culture, culture tied to ethnic
identity, and counterculture) can exist within and sometimes challenge dominant
Western culture. Power is an issue in determining which cultures dominate, and
domination by one culture implies subjugation of others. Culture is dynamic and in
a constant state of change; change does not mean that people become cultureless,
or that their cultures become meaningless.
There is a growing body of literature addressing cultural (and social) constructions of nature (Braun and Castree, 1998; Ellen and Fukui, 1996; Escobar, 1999).
Via culture, society determines what constitutes nature and what role nature plays
in cultural and social life. Via culture, priorities are set for conservation and development. As cultures differ across time and space, different cultures will place
different priorities on the individual components of nature, and in some cultures,
the concept of nature as something separate from humans does not exist. In wildlife
conservation, culture is used to explain particular sets of human relations with various
species (e.g., Nietschmann [1973; 1979] explained the cultural value of sea turtles
to the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua; see Section 12.2.1.1).
1123 book.book Page 308 Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:50 AM
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
12.4 Conclusions .................................................................................................331
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................331
References..............................................................................................................332
12.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter examines contemporary links between human culture(s) and sea turtle
use and conservation. It is based on two central assumptions: (1) the value and role
assigned to turtles as part of nature is culturally situated, and (2) the cultural context
of human relations with sea turtles is critical to the success of conservation schemes.
Key concepts and terms used are discussed in this introduction. Section 12.2 highlights various types and examples of sea turtle use and their cultural significance.
In Section 12.3, the link between culture and conservation policy, and specifically,
two contemporary conservation concepts — sustainable use and community-based
conservation (CBC) — are discussed.
12.1.1 C ULTURE
Williams (1981) describes two main senses of “culture.” Culture is “a distinct ‘whole
way of life’, within which, now, a distinctive ‘signifying system’ is seen not only
as essential but as essentially involved in all forms of social activity.” Culture in this
sense mediates how we understand and make sense of the world around us. The
more common sense of culture is “artistic and intellectual activity” and resulting
products. The two senses converge, in that the former whole way of life incorporates
the central interests and values of a people (Williams, 1981), and these are often
manifested in products of material culture. Thus, sea turtles may be part of a whole
way of life, and this may be reflected in art, crafts, or music.
Culture operates on a number of levels, and these levels interact (Seppälä and
Vainio-Mattila, 1998). Although in Western society “culture” is a broad and encompassing term, subcultures (for example, corporate culture, culture tied to ethnic
identity, and counterculture) can exist within and sometimes challenge dominant
Western culture. Power is an issue in determining which cultures dominate, and
domination by one culture implies subjugation of others. Culture is dynamic and in
a constant state of change; change does not mean that people become cultureless,
or that their cultures become meaningless.
There is a growing body of literature addressing cultural (and social) constructions of nature (Braun and Castree, 1998; Ellen and Fukui, 1996; Escobar, 1999).
Via culture, society determines what constitutes nature and what role nature plays
in cultural and social life. Via culture, priorities are set for conservation and development. As cultures differ across time and space, different cultures will place
different priorities on the individual components of nature, and in some cultures,
the concept of nature as something separate from humans does not exist. In wildlife
conservation, culture is used to explain particular sets of human relations with various
species (e.g., Nietschmann [1973; 1979] explained the cultural value of sea turtles
to the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua; see Section 12.2.1.1).
1123 book.book Page 308 Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:50 AM