316
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
12.2.1.2 Eggs
The list of countries using sea turtle eggs (Thorbjarnarson et al., 2000a), both legally
and illegally, includes countries on the Atlantic coast of Central America, Mexico,
Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua
New Guinea. Countries that can be added to this list include Suriname (Mohadin,
2000), Costa Rica (Campbell, 1998), Guatemala (Juarez and Muccio, 1997), Panama
(Evans and Vargas, 1998), Honduras (Lagueux, 1991), Nicaragua (Ruiz, 1994),
Bangladesh (Islam, 2001), and Myanmar (Thorbjarnarson et al., 2000b) .
There are few studies of egg use, and these have focused primarily on economic
value and how use is regulated (e.g., Lagueux, 1991; Campbell, 1998). A common
cultural reference is to beliefs about the aphrodisiac qualities of eggs, particularly
in Central America. In Ostional, Costa Rica, however, Campbell (1997) found that,
although people recognized the aphrodisiac reputation of eggs, they emphasized
their nutritional and economic value to families. Women in particular dismissed the
aphrodisiac claim. Lefever (1992) also found aphrodisiac doubters in Tortuguero,
although Rudloe (1979) credits the claim based on his own experience. In Guatemala,
Juarez and Muccio (1997) suggest that eggs are used for aphrodisiacal purposes,
and as such are “not a basic need.” However, the authors state that one nest of eggs
earns an agricultural or farm laborer the equivalent of one fourth of a month’s salary,
suggesting significant importance. Eggs clearly fill an economic need, and culture
and economy are not so easily separated.
12.2.1.2.1 Costa Rica
The legal, commercial egg collection project at Ostional, Costa Rica, is the bestknown example of egg use (Cornelius et al., 1991; Campbell, 1998; Thorbjarnarson
et al., 2000a). The economic value of this resource is well recognized in the community: 70% of households rely on the egg collection as their primary source of
income (Campbell, 1998). However, Campbell’s (1997) study of the egg project
illustrates the subtle ways in which turtles play a part in culture. First, life in Ostional
is organized around sea turtle nesting, and the work of the community cooperative
extends beyond the egg project; for example, it implements village development
activities. Second, the project has contributed to a sense of independence and pride
in the community, and to a level of organization unseen in many comparable coastal
villages (March, 1992). Third, the “sense of the world” meaning of culture is
translating into material culture. Residents tell stories about the turtles, discuss in
detail when they will arrive, and take pride in activities they do to protect hatchlings.
There are several turtle carvers and one poet, even though the latter is not part of
the egg-collecting cooperative. Fourth, many residents see themselves as lucky to
have the turtles, whose presence on the beach is in the hands of God (Campbell,
1997). Turtles are thus intertwined in daily life and undoubtedly contribute to
residents’ understandings of their world .
12.2.1.3 Skin
The skin of olive ridley turtles has been used to fashion leather accessories. Turtle
leather has been manufactured in Mexico and Ecuador, and leather products have
1123 book.book Page 316 Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:50 AM
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
12.2.1.2 Eggs
The list of countries using sea turtle eggs (Thorbjarnarson et al., 2000a), both legally
and illegally, includes countries on the Atlantic coast of Central America, Mexico,
Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua
New Guinea. Countries that can be added to this list include Suriname (Mohadin,
2000), Costa Rica (Campbell, 1998), Guatemala (Juarez and Muccio, 1997), Panama
(Evans and Vargas, 1998), Honduras (Lagueux, 1991), Nicaragua (Ruiz, 1994),
Bangladesh (Islam, 2001), and Myanmar (Thorbjarnarson et al., 2000b) .
There are few studies of egg use, and these have focused primarily on economic
value and how use is regulated (e.g., Lagueux, 1991; Campbell, 1998). A common
cultural reference is to beliefs about the aphrodisiac qualities of eggs, particularly
in Central America. In Ostional, Costa Rica, however, Campbell (1997) found that,
although people recognized the aphrodisiac reputation of eggs, they emphasized
their nutritional and economic value to families. Women in particular dismissed the
aphrodisiac claim. Lefever (1992) also found aphrodisiac doubters in Tortuguero,
although Rudloe (1979) credits the claim based on his own experience. In Guatemala,
Juarez and Muccio (1997) suggest that eggs are used for aphrodisiacal purposes,
and as such are “not a basic need.” However, the authors state that one nest of eggs
earns an agricultural or farm laborer the equivalent of one fourth of a month’s salary,
suggesting significant importance. Eggs clearly fill an economic need, and culture
and economy are not so easily separated.
12.2.1.2.1 Costa Rica
The legal, commercial egg collection project at Ostional, Costa Rica, is the bestknown example of egg use (Cornelius et al., 1991; Campbell, 1998; Thorbjarnarson
et al., 2000a). The economic value of this resource is well recognized in the community: 70% of households rely on the egg collection as their primary source of
income (Campbell, 1998). However, Campbell’s (1997) study of the egg project
illustrates the subtle ways in which turtles play a part in culture. First, life in Ostional
is organized around sea turtle nesting, and the work of the community cooperative
extends beyond the egg project; for example, it implements village development
activities. Second, the project has contributed to a sense of independence and pride
in the community, and to a level of organization unseen in many comparable coastal
villages (March, 1992). Third, the “sense of the world” meaning of culture is
translating into material culture. Residents tell stories about the turtles, discuss in
detail when they will arrive, and take pride in activities they do to protect hatchlings.
There are several turtle carvers and one poet, even though the latter is not part of
the egg-collecting cooperative. Fourth, many residents see themselves as lucky to
have the turtles, whose presence on the beach is in the hands of God (Campbell,
1997). Turtles are thus intertwined in daily life and undoubtedly contribute to
residents’ understandings of their world .
12.2.1.3 Skin
The skin of olive ridley turtles has been used to fashion leather accessories. Turtle
leather has been manufactured in Mexico and Ecuador, and leather products have
1123 book.book Page 316 Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:50 AM