In 1994, recognizing the regional nature of the threats to sea turtle survival, the nations of the western hemisphere began a collaborative effort to negotiate an agreement for the future of these species.

The Latin American Organization for Fisheries Development (OLDEPESCA in Spanish) provided the framework to begin negotiations of a Convention to protect sea turtles. Several negotiations meetings took place to this end. OLDEPESCA Member Countries in 1992 per request of Mexico invited non- member countries to negotiate the Convention. OLDEPESCA was instrumental as it was appointed to provide Secretariat assistance for the negotiation by means of the Executive Director.

As a result of the Conference of Ministers of OLDEPESCA held in Lima, Peru, passed a resolution regarding the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles to urge countries of the Americas, whether or not they are members of OLDEPESCA, to ratify or accede to, the Convention whichever is appropriate. Source: Carlos Mazal, Former Executive Director of OLDEPESCA 1993-2002.

In 2001, with the ratification of the eighth nation, the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles entered into force. The Convention attends to the need for implementation of harmonious measures between nations, multilateral coordination of conservation and protection actions, and oversight of the implementation of a regional agenda that will enable the recovery of these species.

The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (“IAC”) is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the legal framework for countries in the American Continent to take actions in benefit of these species. The IAC entered into force in May of 2001 and currently has sixteen Contracting Parties.

The Convention promotes the protection, conservation, and recovery of the populations of sea turtles and those habitats on which they depend, on the basis of the best available data and taking into consideration the environmental, socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the Parties (Article II, Text of the Convention). These actions should cover both nesting beaches and the Parties’ territorial waters.