The Nicaraguan was prosecuted separately for his part in the smuggling operation. According to public documents, the illegal activities of Daniel and Francis Gonzalez were brought to the attention of federal agents in 1994 by an informant. On several occasions in July 1994, the defendants unwittingly sold protected sea turtles eggs to U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents at their Miami restaurant, La Hormigo de Oro. Prosecutors are attempting to get him back to Los Angeles to face the charges. This initiative arose from increasing concern at declines in sea turtle populations in the region.
Plans are now underway for region wide and national awareness campaigns.
The extended family unit is extremely strong in Pacific Island cultures. The campaign slogan seeks to build on this to communicate an urgent conservation message. For more information, please contact the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, P. O. Box 240, Apia, Western Samoa. The shortest route between the two sites is about 500 km. This is the second time that a long distance interchange by turtles between nesting areas in Greece has been recorded.