Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles Document type Multilateral Field of application Regional/restricted Date Dec 1, 1996 Source IUCN (ID: TRE-001250) Title (Spanish) Convención Interamericana para la Protección y Conservación de las Tortugas Marinas Place of adoption Caracas Depository Venezuela, Boliv. Rep. of Language English, French, Portuguese, Spanish Entry into force May 2, 2001 Subject Wild species & ecosystems, Sea Keyword Hunting/capture Trade in species Coastal zone management Protection of habitats Inventory Institution Stock enhancement/repopulation Protected animal species Bycatch Data collection/reporting International agreement-text Wild fauna Marine resources management Fishing gear/fishing method Monitoring Endangered species Management/conservation Turtles Geographical area North Pacific, North-East Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Amazonia, South-Eastern Pacific, Central America, South America, North Atlantic, East Pacific Abstract Objectives: To promote the protection, conservation, and recovery of sea turtle populations and of their habitats. Summary of provisions: The term 'sea turtle' is defined in article I. Parties agree to take measures for the protection, conservation and recovery of sea turtle populations and their habitats on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, taking into consideration the environmental, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the Parties. Measures include, inter alia, prohibition of intentional capture, retention or killing of sea turtles, their eggs, parts or products, as well as their trade. Exceptions may be granted to satisfy economic subsistence needs of traditional communities. Measures adopted are to be applied in land territory, maritime areas, and by vessels flying a Party's flag on the high sea (art. IV). In implementing the Convention, Parties are to act in accordance with the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade contained in the World Trade Organisation Agreement, and with Article XI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994. Institutional mechanisms: A Consultative Committee of Experts is established to, inter alia, review the reports of the Parties on the implementation of the Convention (art. VII). A Scientific Council is also established to conduct research on sea turtles and their habitats and to make recommendations for their protection and conservation (art. VIII). Full text English Website www.iacseaturtle.org Country/Territory/Participant See Expanded View Show Map Countries Entry into force Ratification * Simple signature Argentina Jun 7, 2011 Jun 7, 2011 [2] - Belize Feb 3, 2003 Feb 3, 2003 [1] Dec 21, 1998 Brazil May 2, 2001 Nov 22, 1999 [1] Mar 21, 1997 Chile Feb 10, 2010 Feb 10, 2010 [2] - Costa Rica May 2, 2001 Apr 17, 2000 [1] Jan 31, 1997 Ecuador May 2, 2001 Oct 6, 2000 [1] Dec 31, 1998 Guatemala Aug 15, 2003 Aug 15, 2003 [2] - Honduras May 2, 2001 Feb 1, 2001 [1] Dec 29, 1998 Mexico May 2, 2001 Sep 11, 2000 [1] Dec 29, 1998 Netherlands May 2, 2001 Nov 29, 2000 [1] Dec 24, 1998 Nicaragua - - Mar 4, 1997 Panama Feb 15, 2008 Feb 15, 2008 [2] - Peru May 2, 2001 Nov 18, 1999 [1] Apr 8, 1997 United States of America May 2, 2001 Feb 21, 2001 [1] Dec 13, 1996 Uruguay Aug 27, 2007 Aug 27, 2007 [1] Dec 31, 1998 Venezuela, Boliv. Rep. of May 2, 2001 Aug 20, 1998 [1] Dec 16, 1996 * [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature reset zoom out zoom in Other references Literature 2 records related to this treaty. View literature